Water Restrictions
Current Restrictions: There are currently no restrictions
Gunnedah Shire Council introduced its Water Restriction Policy during the 2002/03 drought to help the urban community understand the challenges faced by rural areas and to encourage the conservation of our precious water resources.
At the December 2023 Ordinary Meeting, Council updated its water conservation levels as part of a regional review across the Namoi Region. The goal of this review was to create a consistent set of water restriction rules for all Namoi Councils. This approach reduces confusion and ensures clear, simple communication across the region. As part of these changes, the permanent conservation level was removed by Namoi Water Alliance member councils in October 2023 and adopted by Council in December 2023.
Water restrictions in Gunnedah Shire are based on a common framework adopted by the Namoi Water Alliance. This consistency makes it easier for residents in Gunnedah, Curlewis, Mullaley, and Tambar Springs to understand and follow water-saving measures.
What does each level mean for the community?
Level 1 - Low
- Residential garden and lawn watering: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except 6pm-8pm during DST. Water between 7am-9am and 5pm-7pm all other times.
- Washing down (inc. vehicles): Wash down hard/paved surfaces with high pressure hose only
- Private swimming pools and spas: Permit required for filling pools over 2000 litres.
- Public parks and gardens: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 6 hrs per day.
- Public sports grounds: Main parks to be watered at night.
- Bowling/Golf clubs: No restriction.
- Schools and health care premises requiring day staff for maintenance: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 6 hrs per day.
- Nurseries etc.: No restriction.
- Auto flush toilets: No restriction.
- Commercial car wash: No restriction.
- Truck wash at Saleyards: No restriction.
- Industrial use (major): No restriction.
- Water cartage from standpipe: No restriction.
Level 2 - Moderate
- Residential garden and lawn watering: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses restricted to 2 hrs per day.
- Washing down (inc. vehicles): Hoses restricted to 2 hrs per day.
- Private swimming pools and spas: Permit required for filling pools over 2000 litres. Top up via hoses only 2 hrs per day.
- Public parks and gardens: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 3 hrs per day.
- Public sports grounds: Limited watering only.
- Bowling/Golf clubs: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 2 hrs per day.
- Schools and health care premises requiring day staff for maintenance: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 3 hrs per day.
- Nurseries etc.: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 4 hours per day.
- Auto flush toilets: On timers banned. On demand okay.
- Commercial car wash: No restriction.
- Truck wash at Saleyards: No restriction.
- Industrial use (major): No restriction.
- Water cartage from standpipe: No restriction.
Level 3 - High
- Residential garden and lawn watering: Fixed hoses and sprinklers and hand held hoses banned. Buckets restricted to 2 hrs per day.
- Washing down (inc. vehicles): No hoses. Buckets restricted to 2 hrs per day.
- Private swimming pools and spas: Permit required for filling pools over 2000 litres. Top up via hoses only 2 hrs per day.
- Public parks and gardens: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses only.
- Public sports grounds: Auto sprinklers 1 hr max per line every second night. Hand held hoses in other parks only.
- Bowling/Golf clubs: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 2 hrs per day.
- Schools and health care premises requiring day staff for maintenance: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses only.
- Nurseries etc.: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned except for 2 hours per day.
- Auto flush toilets: On timers banned. On demand okay.
- Commercial car wash: Time restricted by negotiation.
- Truck wash at Saleyards: Time restricted by negotiation.
- Industrial use (major): Restricted by negotiation.
- Water cartage from standpipe: Domestic use only.
Level 4 - Very High
- Residential garden and lawn watering: No watering at any time.
- Washing down (inc. vehicles): No washing down at any time.
- Private swimming pools and spas: Filling and topping up prohibited.
- Public parks and gardens: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses allowed 3 hrs per day.
- Public sports grounds: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses allowed 3 hrs per day.
- Bowling/Golf clubs: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses allowed 1 hr per day.
- Schools and health care premises requiring day staff for maintenance: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses allowed 3 hours per day.
- Nurseries etc.: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses allowed 2 hours per day.
- Auto flush toilets: On timers banned. On demand okay.
- Commercial car wash: Time restricted by negotiation.
- Truck wash at Saleyards: Banned except as required by law.
- Industrial use (major): Restricted by negotiation.
- Water cartage from standpipe: Domestic use only during working hours.
Level 5 - Emergency
- Residential garden and lawn watering: No watering at any time.
- Washing down (inc. vehicles): No washing down at any time.
- Private swimming pools and spas: Filling and topping up prohibited.
- Public parks and gardens: No watering at any time.
- Public sports grounds: No watering at any time.
- Bowling/Golf clubs: No watering at any time.
- Schools and health care premises requiring day staff for maintenance: No watering at any time.
- Nurseries etc.: Fixed hoses and sprinklers banned. Hand held hoses banned. Bucket water only.
- Auto flush toilets: On timers banned. On demand okay.
- Commercial car wash: Car wash closed.
- Truck wash at Saleyards: Closed.
- Industrial use (major): Special Council permission by negotiation.
- Water cartage from standpipe: Domestic use only during working hours.