Request for assistance on water anomaly

AlburyCity has resolved to call on Federal Minister for Climate Change and Water, Penny Wong, to address serious anomalies in the way NSW and Victorian Governments are approaching water restrictions.

The approach follows a request from the Department of Water & Energy that AlburyCity adopt Stage 4 restrictions, while Wodonga remains on Stage 1.

AlburyCity Mayor, Patricia Gould, said this was illogical, given that both communities rely on water from the same source.

"In the past, we have supported the NSW Government's position and imposed restrictions when required. But Council is finding it increasingly difficult to support restrictions, particularly when the city is using only 59% of its water allocation," she said.

"We are concerned the community will become less tolerant of water restrictions if there is no logical explanation as to why people on the other side of the border are not facing serious restrictions at all.

"This has potential to undermine Council's efforts to encourage people to be conservative in their everyday use of water and to treat it as a valuable and limited resource."

Cr Gould said the Stage 4 restrictions would be discussed at a Council committee meeting on 20 July.