The almost $5 million rollout of smart water meters in the Dubbo region has ground to a halt because Victorians working on the project have had to go home.
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Dubbo Regional Council issued a brief statement late on Tuesday afternoon to confirm the project was on hold.
It told of sub-contractors installing the meters having to return to Victoria because of "health and border restrictions".
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In the statement the council indicated its intention to "take additional steps" to protect the community from COVID-19.
It is also working with contractor Taggle Systems on a strategy involving "additional resources" to complete the rollout "as soon as" the cross-border COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
The year-long smart water meter rollout was launched on June 1 after the council's chief executive officer Michael McMahon awarded the contract to Taggle Systems earlier in the year.
The council is replacing "ageing" infrastructure at about 17,700 residential and 2300 non-residential properties connected to reticulated water.
Ratepayer dollars in the council's "water and sewage budget" are funding the project.
Five zones have been created for the rollout of the meters with zones 1 to 4 covering Dubbo and zone 5 "Wellington and surrounds".
About 3287 new meters were fitted to residential and commercial properties in zone 1, covering central Dubbo, in June.
Early in July the council announced the rollout had progressed to zone 2, which has the Dunedoo Road running through its centre.
At that time Mr McMahon welcomed advice that the project was on track.
"The majority of meters have been readily accessible for the contractors and meters have been replaced in under 20 minutes in most cases," he said.
"I have been especially pleased to hear the contractors have been making arrangements with property owners to organise a suitable time for replacement if required."
While some Dubbo residents have called the project a "big brother" move, others have welcome the future opportunity to monitor their use of water through an online portal currently in the testing phase.
Smart water meters detect dials rotating and transmit readings through a small radio signal to a secure database which will be managed by the council.
The Daily Liberal asked the council for more detail of its plans to protect the community and progress the rollout.
Below is the council statement released on Tuesday afternoon.
"Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) wish to advise the community that the project to roll out 20,000 smart water meters to properties connected to potable water across the Dubbo region has been suspended as a precaution due to the COVID-19 pandemic," it reads.
"The current COVID-19 health and border restrictions enforced affecting Victoria does not allow for sub-contractors engaged by Taggle Systems, the supplier , to fit the meters.
"Additionally, DRC is keen to take additional steps to ensure all COVIDSafe measures are in place to protect the Dubbo community and is working with Taggle Systems on a strategy which also involves additional resources to complete the project as soon as cross-border COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
"The intent will be to continue the project with as little disruption to the estimated contract completion date.
"The project was well ahead of schedule prior to contractors returning to Victoria and that state entering compulsory lockdown.
"It is estimated that approximately 6500 out of the 20,000 smart water meters have been installed since the project commenced on 1 June 2020.
"Work on the My DRC Water customer portal continues with the online portal currently in the testing phase."
