The stark contrast between the parched lawn at a privately owned Dubbo cemetery and grass watered six nights a week at a government-run graveyard has prompted the mum of one of Australia's most celebrated sporting legends to call for change.
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Test cricketer Glenn McGrath's mother Bev accused Dubbo Regional Council of acting unfairly by watering at its lawn cemetery six times a week when the Western District Memorial Park's grass is only allowed to be watered two nights a week for one hour in-line with level four water restrictions.
Council's chief executive officer Michael McMahon says 26 irrigation stations are used to put potable town water - which is sourced from of bores and the Macquarie River - on the lawn almost every night of the week at its cemetery.
"As the conditions of the drought worsen measures will be taken to review the frequency of the irrigation at this site, however, we are mindful of how significant the presentation of this facility is to the community," he said.
Mrs McGrath was "shocked" and saddened at the condition her family members' final resting places.
"I don't think it's fair for them [council] to be watering six days a week," she said.
"I know it's only graves and that, but it means a lot to people. I still miss my dad... he has been buried out there for 48 years, and it has never been this bad.
"A lot of people that are buried there were business people and helped this town grow."
Mrs McGrath understood the drought was to blame for Dubbo's water woes but called on the council to consider giving the Western District Memorial Park access to recycled water from the city's sewage treatment plant.
Mr McMahon said effluent was "not available for general use by other businesses".
A Western District Memorial Park spokesperson said the business previously sourced its water from the Macquarie River, but was told by the NSW government to stop from July 1.
Multiple other residents have complained about the dead lawn, the spokesperson told the Daily Liberal.