A report was before councillors at Wednesday night’s ordinary meeting, recommending additional water not be supplied to the estate.

The history documented in the report states that at the end of January, 2007, council resolved that “in the event of a failure of the water source for the Hillview water supply” it would augment the supply by a single filling of the reservoirs on one occasion.

The provision of water was meant to give residents time to make alternative arrangements for their properties. 

On April 5 this year, council wrote to residents to inform them that one of the two bores that supply Hillview had run dry, while the second bore “is limited in capacity and the reservoir is currently at 38 per cent”.

Three days later, the reservoir fell to 17 per cent and residents were advised that the equivalent capacity of the reservoirs would be supplied by water cart by council. 

From April 9 to 12, council supplied 270,000 litres.

Residents were encouraged to make alternative arrangements for their raw water supply. 

At Wednesday’s meeting, councillors debated supplying additional water. 

The view shared by a number of councillors was that Bathurst’s surrounding villages were in a similar position and providing additional water to Hillview Estate alone would set a precedent. 

“I don't want to sound callous and non-caring, but if we go down that path we are setting a horrible precedent for every village that runs low on water,” Cr Warren Aubin said. 

“If you live in these areas, you've got to expect this sort of thing. You need to supply your own water supply.”

Cr Ian North said that council needs to sit down with the Hillview residents to discuss the water situation further and potentially come up with other solutions.

“I think we are going to find this in front of us more regularly, that’s why I raised the issue that maybe we need to sit down and have a heart-to-heart with them again,” he said.

“People make choices where they live, what services are available, what services aren’t available. In that time there has probably been more people and different people moved into the area and as much as you get letter and that, until something happens and occurs to you it doesn’t really hit home.”

Council previously met with residents in December, 2012 after advising them that bores were running low the previous month. 

When the vote occurred, only councillors North and Bobby Bourke voted against the recommendation. 

Hillview Estate residents are eligible to access water from the Hereford Street standpipes at the reduced cost, which was halved from $5 per kilolitre following council’s June 6 policy committee meeting.