THE delivery of major sporting infrastructure is set to be put on hold as Bathurst Regional Council looks to cut down its water usage.
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With the city set to go to level four-five water restrictions on October 14, council is considering ways that, as the largest consumer of both filtered and raw water, it can do its part to conserve water.
In a report to council's meeting on Wednesday, director of Engineering Services Darren Sturgiss has outlined the ways water savings can be made.
At the top of the list is deferring a $5 million expenditure on sporting projects.
If councillors accept the plan, that will mean that the two new fields slated for the Hereford Street complex, the full reconstruction of three more fields at Proctor Park and the complete refurbishment of Bathurst Sportsground won't go ahead this financial year.
"Given the sheer scale of new turf required for these three facilities and the quantity of water that would be required to ensure establishment and ongoing growth, these works have been deferred," Mr Sturgiss said.
As another water-saving measure, council plans to reduce watering at 84 of the parks it manages.
This will be done in three categories: minimum watering, basic watering and optimal watering.
There will be 59 locations that receive minimum watering to ensure their survival, including John Matthews Sporting Complex and Haymarket Reserve.
Eight sporting precincts, including George Park and Eglinton oval, will have a basic watering regime to keep them in a usable condition for recreational purposes.
Parks and gardens set to receive optimal watering are classified as having "high community value", like Machattie Park, Kings Parade and Carrington Park.
"Watering of these facilities will continue to be undertaken via best practice to ensure that these heritage and high profile community assets are able to operate and provide amenity for the community at existing service levels," Mr Sturgiss said.
He added that it would prevent residents paying to re-establish high profile facilities in future.
Grassed verges at Mount Panorama have also not been watered ahead of the Bathurst 1000 and won't be done for the next 12 Hour.
Steps have also been taken to get other major water consumers to reduce usage, with council in the process of a water audit that will identify both areas of businesses that are already efficient and ones that need improvement.
Councillors will discuss the report and make a determination on Wednesday night.
