And water also threatens to be the issue that could finally blow apart a Bathurst Regional Council that has been fractured from day one.

The divisions were there for all to see on Wednesday night as councillors debated a proposal to extend a free water offer to eligible primary producers as a small helping hand as they battle a continuing drought.

At first the debate centred on the take-up – or lack of take-up – of council’s offer in the three months since the scheme came into effect in September.

Just nine landholders have so far registered for the scheme which is at once an argument to support continuing it and an argument to support ending it.

If few people are using the scheme there is little point persevering with it, but the cost of the scheme – $755 so far – is so low that there is little to be gained from dumping it.

But the debate soon took a detour as the question of water restrictions was brought into the discussion.

Deputy mayor Bobby Bourke was the first to bring up restrictions, arguing that it made no sense for council to give away water to one group of residents while restricting access to water for the vast majority of residents.

Councillor Alex Christian joined in the fun, accusing councillors of wanting “to have their cake and eat it”.

Curiously, it was only when Cr Jacqui Rudge asked some questions about the original introduction of water restrictions that Cr Bourke raised a point of order, saying the debate had been derailed.

Of course, Cr Rudge can thank Cr Bourke’s preferences for her spot on council and so her decision to back the introduction of Level 3 water restrictions even as Cr Bourke vehemently opposed them has created yet another crack on council.

And with no strong voting bloc on council as it stands, every extra crack can only create more uncertainty.

Despite the occasional blow-up behind closed doors, this council has managed to keep it together in public.

But, as the new year gets under way the countdown to the next mayor election in September begins, keeping it together might become more and more difficult.

It could make for fascinating viewing.