RESIDENTS are set to have more freedom over their water use, but that freedom is unlikely to extend to being able to wash hard surfaces.
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A mayoral minute has been prepared for Wednesday's ordinary meeting of Bathurst Regional Council, proposing to relax water restrictions on a more permanent basis.
It comes after a failed notice of motion by councillor Warren Aubin in September, which requested a temporary easing of restrictions to allow residents to do a "spring clean" around their properties.
However, the director of Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss, did flag the possibility of scaling back water restrictions during discussion of the motion.
Councillors appear to have taken notice of that advice, with the upcoming mayoral minute proposing a new level of restrictions, called 2A.
If council adopts the proposed level 2A restrictions, residents would be able to water their lawns and gardens before 10am and after 4pm for a maximum of three hours.
Currently, residents can do their watering during those same times, however there is an odds and evens system in place limiting watering to every second day.
Level 2A restrictions continue to allow the topping up of pools, but the maximum fill time of 15 minutes per day would be scrapped.
One thing which is unlikely to change, though, is the washing of hard surfaces.
It was something Cr Aubin had wanted when he put up his notice of motion last month.
Although disappointed, Cr Aubin said he wouldn't object to this when when the mayoral minute is discussed on Wednesday night.
"It is what it is. It's one of those things you ask for, didn't get, so keep going on and we'll get something else," he said.
"... It's just one of those things. They didn't think it was the right thing, so we abide by the umpire's decision and move on.
One thing he will be asking to change, though, is the recommendation that high water restrictions would be triggered when Chifley Dam falls below 75 per cent.
Cr Aubin will ask for this to be changed to 80 per cent.
He said the proposed changes for water restrictions were developed by council's engineering staff and he is glad to see there will be a little more freedom for residents while the dam is overflowing.
"They think it's a safe way of doing things. It's just easing [restrictions] a little bit, and the dam is overflowing, so it is a pretty good time to just let things ease," he said.
Level 2A restrictions are proposed to come into effect on November 1.
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