A councillor has asked if restrictions to watering of Coonamble Sportsground can be adjusted as local sporting clubs prepare for the upcoming winter season.
Coonamble Shire has limited the watering of all sporting fields to protect supply from the two bores currently directed into the drinking system.
Council’s infrastructure services director Kerrie Murphy said she would be hesitant to further lift restrictions.
“If something happens with one of the two bores we have, we then have to put restrictions in place again,” she said.
“I understand totally the concern, especially with the ovals, but I think as leaders in the community, Council can’t be seen to be watering their lawns if we’re not allowing our residents to do that.”
Council has been running bore water directly into the drinking system to keep up supply after reservoir levels fell dangerously low at the treatment plant at around late January.
A third bore is currently being used to feed the plant back up to safe levels.
In the meantime, non-essential uses like car washing and garden hosing have been cut back to maintain water pressure.
Restrictions have eased slightly to allow overnight watering for residences.
However, councillor Ahmad ‘Al’ Karanouh asked whether it would be possible to carry out some watering at the sports fields to preserve them for community games.
“I think we should have a decent hour of watering at the football oval because very soon everybody is going to start using it,” Cr Karanouh said.
“Just for that one place, otherwise everything will be cancelled – no sport.”
At the moment, the grounds are still being used for junior and senior sport.
The cricket ball was kicking up dust when it landed in some patches during a match between Coonamble and Gilgandra on Friday evening 20 February.
While a harder, drier surface may suffice for cricket, touch football and Little Athletics, it could potentially become a safety issue for tackle sports like rugby league and union.
Coonamble Shire General Manager Greg Hill said he agreed with Cr Karanouh.
“I think what you’re saying does have support in the community,” Mr Hill said.
“This is a community venue, we don’t want sporting injuries, we don’t want to lose our home games – I think that will be palatable to our community.”
Councillor Paul Wheelhouse also asked about watering trees on Council-managed land, including on Railway Street.
“Some trees are starting to suffer,” he said.
“It’s very sad. Can we turn the water on for an hour each night in different sections?”
With no formal motion, no decision was taken on lifting restrictions at the meeting.