Twelve months ago when Bathurst Regional Council announced the introduction of Level 3 water restrictions, there was an outcry.

Many residents felt ambushed by the announcement and they were naturally concerned about the impact the restrictions might have on their lawns and gardens, some worth many thousands of dollars.

Council bore the brunt of that criticism - and rightly so.

But it wasn't the decision to introduce restrictions that was council's greatest crime; rather, it was a lack of communication combined with decades of spruiking Bathurst's lack of restrictions that created a false sense of water security.

But that was then.

Twelve months on with still no significant rainfall and a Ben Chifley Dam level that keeps falling, we're now preparing for even tighter water restrictions, yet there has been barely a whimper of complaint from the community.

That's the proof that both council and the community have learned some valuable lessons over the past year.

The information council is now presenting to the community and the explanation of just how dire the region's water situation has become have ensured residents know why the tighter restrictions are being introduced, and ensured that they accept them.

That's not to say there won't still be some hiccups when the tighter restrictions start - and expect some anger when council inevitably issues the first fine for a breach - but the first hurdle has been successfully cleared.

That, at least, is something to cheer.