Councillors say now is not the time to introduce on-the-spot fines for people caught in breach of water restrictions, labelling the idea as nothing more than a "revenue raiser".
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Bathurst Regional Council introduced level four (extreme) restrictions on October 14 after nearly 12 months on level three (high).
As of Christmas Eve, council had issued 42 reminder letters to people since the introduction of extreme restrictions.
It is around the same number that had been handed out in the first four weeks, suggesting that residents are largely getting the message.
Further west, though, Dubbo Regional Council is starting to skip the reminder phase and jump straight into fining people who have breached the area's own level four (very high) water restrictions, which started on November 1.
As reported by the Daily Liberal, those found to be breaching the restrictions will no longer be issued with a warning but will instantly be given a $220 fine.
Dubbo council's chief executive officer told the publication that between 30 to 40 warnings had already been issued and some of those had been for repeat offenders.
The council had also introduced body cameras for council rangers to use to gather evidence of water restriction breaches.
It's a big move, and one that Bathurst councillors don't plan to be making in their city.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said that Dubbo's newest method of enforcement was over the top and isn't needed in Bathurst.
He said that reminders and warnings ensured people were aware of their responsibilities before it came to the point of fines.
"I don't think we have to have it, water restrictions, as a revenue raiser," he said.
Cr Bourke said the best way forward is "communication and understanding", so residents and council can work together to conserve water.
Councillor Jess Jennings said he would be reluctantly supportive of on-the-spot fines, but only if it is deemed necessary, which it doesn't appear to be at this point.
"It seems unfortunate but probably necessary as water gets less and less available, making people more and more frustrated to the point that tempers start to flare a bit," he said.
"But from what I've seen, Bathurst residents and irrigators in the main have responded brilliantly to these horrid drought conditions, making do with less water so the whole community benefits and ultimately Bathurst as a city survives this summer.
"That's our critical challenge, staying out of level five because the economic and social impact of level five is massive."
On the introduction of body cameras, Cr Alex Christian said their use, while certainly helpful in proving an offence, would be a case of "overkill under the circumstances".
"Maybe for repeat offenders that have had two or more warnings when Bathurst hits higher levels," he said.
"People who continue to thumb their noses at the water restrictions deserve to feel the full weight of our financial penalties and this could help ensure council is successful in recuperating those fines."
Council has information on water restrictions available online, or people can visit the civic centre.
People are encouraged to report breaches to council and Cr Bourke said those reports will be followed up.
A verbal or written warning is usually the first step council will take after identifying a breach.
Where a warning has been previously given, or in cases of more significant and deliberate breaches of water restrictions, a penalty notice may be issued. The maximum penalty is $2,200.
If an offender continues to ignore the restrictions, council may initiate legal action.
If left with no other option, council has the authority to disconnect a property from council's water supply.
