Rous County Council (Rous) advises Level 1 water restrictions will now be activated when Rocky Creek Dam reaches 70 per cent instead of 60 per cent (as stated in the Regional Water Supply Drought Management Plan) to help preserve the region’s water supply.  

The Rous website indicates Rocky Creek is at 82% capacity as of Tuesday, October 17 2023.

This amendment was agreed upon at the ordinary Council meeting yesterday (18 October 2023). 

Water levels at Rous's primary water source, Rocky Creek Dam, have steadily dropped due to low inflows and an overall increase in water use in the region. The dam is currently at 82 per cent capacity.  

Rous proposed to bring the activation of water restrictions forward in response to the Bureau of Meteorology declaring an El Nino and the pressure this weather event is expected to place on the region’s water sources, according to Phillip Rudd, General Manager, Rous County Council.  

“The climate model outlooks indicate that the El Nino is likely to continue until at least the end of the southern hemisphere summer 2023–24,” Phillip Rudd said.  

“In partnership with our constituent councils, we have decided to activate water restrictions sooner than originally planned to help sustain our region’s water supply for longer and delay the onset of more severe restrictions. 

“We anticipate Level 1 water restrictions will be activated before Christmas. This is based on current consumption rates, the weather forecast and our modelling data that determines the predicted depletion rate of our supply. 

“With a dry summer coming up very soon, it is important that as a community we are all mindful of our water use so we can save our supply for as long as possible.”  

Level 1 water restrictions will apply to the council areas of Ballina, Byron (excluding Mullumbimby), Lismore (excluding Nimbin), and Richmond Valley.  

“Level 1 water restrictions focus on residential outdoor water use,” said Andrew Logan, Group Manager Planning and Delivery, Rous County Council.  

“The restrictions include not watering established lawns, and only watering established gardens with hand-held hoses for one hour every second day, between 4.00pm and 9.00am, on odd or even days to match the house numbering system. 

“A water-saving tip we strongly encourage is to fit all hand-held hoses with on/off trigger nozzles. 

“We ask everyone in our community to do their part and follow the water restriction guidelines so that, together, we can delay harsher limitations for as long as possible. 

“Rous has been working with our constituent council partners to refine the water restrictions and exemptions and develop a water efficiency management plan for businesses to use.” 

To prepare for the water restrictions and for more water savings tips, Rous encourages everyone to visit their website www.rous.nsw.gov.au.  

Rous is working to ensure the Northern Rivers has a secure and resilient water supply to meet the community’s needs through its Future Water Project 2060. A new Project Update is available to view here: https://rous.nsw.gov.au/future-water-project It provides an overview of the work that is underway on each of the key projects. The information provided outlines both short-term actions and the longer-term investigations taking place to secure water to 2060 and beyond.