I NOTED that councillor Alex Christian has called for the citizens of Bathurst to refrain from posting videos or photos online where there is a suspicion that someone is breaking the current water restrictions (Western Advocate, January 15).
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Using online tools as a form of kangaroo court is not something that most people, including myself, want to see, but I would also argue that actions such as posting photos online are a direct result of a significant lack of leadership from our elected members and more specifically the mayor as the water crisis continues to unfold.
There is no doubt that the more deeply our water issues bite, the more the general anxiety level of the population increases.
As I watch 40-year-old trees in my garden start to wither and die, I have to be concerned for the future.
Leadership is about building the confidence of those you lead.
Invoking consequences for those who flout their responsibilities needs to be clearly and repeatedly articulated.
It seems to me that there is an analogy between our current water situation and parking restrictions.
Parking time limits are put in place by council to fairly share a resource in short supply in the CBD - parking sites.
Of course, as we all know, if we break the rules we are quickly found out and punished without warning.
Are we following the consequences for water violations on the Bathurst Regional Council website?
Statements thanking all those who are complying with water restrictions is part of building confidence but so too is reinforcing the consequences for the few who don't feel the common good applies to them.
Perhaps we can look forward to a bit more than the mayoral equivalent of thoughts and prayers in the future.