The Level 3 restrictions which came into effect on Monday have been met with a largely hostile reaction from the community with many questioning the need for such stringent limits on water use.

And it remains a mystery why council chose to jump straight to Level 3 restrictions – limiting garden owners to just half an hour watering every second day – after priding itself for so long on having no restrictions at all.

Just a few days in, however, and there are already whispers that some councillors are reconsidering their stance.

There is likely to be a move to wind back the restrictions a little (already there have been suggestions that one hour of watering every second day might be more appropriate) but do not expect the four councillors who voted against the introduction of Level 3 restrictions to change their votes for the sake of some minor tinkering.

Deputy mayor Bobby Bourke and councillors Ian North, Warren Aubin and Alex Christian believe they have the support of most ratepayers in taking a stand against the introduction of these restrictions and they will not give up that position lightly.

It would likely take a major watering down of the restrictions (pun intended) for them to support any change, though their votes would not be required to form a majority anyway.

Also interesting, though, will be the next dam level to be taken on Tuesday.

The current reading, taken on Tuesday this week, had Ben Chifley Dam at 57.6 per cent capacity.

But widespread heavy rain this week should see that figure jump next week and, quite likely, the week after as well.

That will only raise further questions about the need for council to act when it did.

And the final questions that remain unanswered are whether council actually plans to police the restrictions and, if so, how?

We can’t envisage rangers patrolling the streets looking for offenders and we’d hate to think council was relying on neighbours dobbing each other in.

So those who are inclined to play by the rules will curb their water use and risk their gardens dying, while those who choose to break the rules will likely suffer no consequences at all.

Council has really not thought this through.