Campbelltown MP Greg Warren has again slammed the Berejiklian Government’s inaction and ignorance on water supply and security, fearing it will now lead to tough water restrictions for Macarthur residents.
Mr Warren first raised the issue of water security six months ago, where the minister guaranteed the people of Macarthur that “the taps will not run dry”.
As of Wednesday, August 15, water levels at Cataract Dam and Cordeaux Dam had dropped dangerously low to 37.0 per cent and 40.3 per cent capacity, respectively.
Water from both dams is pumped into Broughton’s Pass Weir and then onto the Macarthur Water Filtration Plant – which supplies Campbelltown, Camden, Appin and Wilton residents with water.
Supplies from Nepean Dam – which currently sits at just 52.0 per cent capacity – can also be diverted to Broughton’s Pass Weir via Pheasants Nest Weir.
Mr Warren recently raised the issue of the dangerously low dam levels on Facebook which prompted a large response from the community.
Restrictions were imposed on Sydneysiders in October 2003, with the tough level three restrictions coming into force in mid-2005 after the city’s water supply dropped below 40 per cent.
Mr Warren said Cataract Dam had already dropped below that critical 40 per cent mark and Cordeaux wasn’t far from doing the same.
He added Nepean Dam levels were far from comfortable too.
Mr Warren submitted a Question on Notice in Parliament last week asking the Minister for Regional Water, Niall Blair, why the region’s residents had not been notified of the issue, what action the government had taken to address the issues and what future action was planned.
Legislation requires the Minister answer the question within 35 days – by September 12 – however, Mr Warren said action was required now, not next month.
The Sydney Water Regulation 2017 states the Minister for Energy and Utilities, Don Harwin, can restrict or regulate the purposes, times, quantities and methods that water can be used.
Mr Warren also wrote an open letter to Mr Blair and Mr Harwin reiterating his concerns over the depleted dam levels.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Every resident of Campbelltown and the wider Macarthur who rely on Cataract Dam and Cordeaux Dam for their water should be deeply concerned by the dangerously low levels,’’ the local MP said in a media statement issued today.[/social_quote]
“I have written an open letter addressed to Minster for Regional Water Niall Blair and Minister for Energy and Utilities Don Harwin, asking for this matter to be urgently addressed.
“I have also submitted a question on notice in Parliament regarding the declining dam levels – however, time is of the essence and the region’s residents do not have 35 days to wait for a response.
“Ultimately, this critical issue requires a state government intervention and solution.’’
Level three water restrictions include:
- Hosing of lawns permitted only with hand-held hoses and only on Wednesdays and Sundays before 10am and after 4pm;
- Hoses not allowed to be used for the use of washing vehicles and hard surfaces;
- No sprinklers or other water systems to be used any time;
- No filing of new or renovated pools over 10,000 litres unless Sydney Water permit obtained.
Water restrictions were relaxed in June 2008 and eventually replaced by Sydney Water’s Water Wise rules, which took affect mid-2009 and currently remain.
For more information on Water Wise rules visit sydneywater.com.au
“Professionally I am doing everything I can to get this government to take the matter seriously,’’ Mr Warren said.
“Personally I am also making every effort to limit my own water usage and I encourage others to do so where possible.
“I do not want to see our region’s taps run dry or severe water restrictions – like those in 2005 – occur.”
There are restrictions in place already but they are not enough considering the predicted lack of meaningful rain.