URGENT UPDATE: Two councils in Western Australia are implementing immediate water cuts after exceeding their annual groundwater allocations. The Town of Mosman Park has reported an excess of 15,283kL in its water usage from the previous year, prompting swift action to reduce consumption.
Officials announced that Mosman Park will focus on eliminating irrigation for non-essential areas while prioritizing watering for high-use sporting venues. Measures include upgrading irrigation systems to enhance efficiency. This decision comes as the Shire of Peppermint Grove also faces restrictions, having utilized 43,885kL of its 44,025kL groundwater allocation, leaving little room for error.
In a recent council meeting, Shire CEO Don Burnett confirmed that four areas, including parts of Bay View Terrace and Keane Street, will be decommissioned from the watering cycle. “This is a necessary step to meet our water extraction targets,” Burnett stated.
The shire’s proactive measures reflect a growing concern over water management as climate challenges loom. Burnett emphasized, “The issue of water probably won’t go away,” highlighting the importance of sustainable practices moving forward.
In comparison, the City of Subiaco, with a larger area of 7 square kilometers, has access to nearly ten times the groundwater allocation at 444,921kL. Meanwhile, the Town of Cambridge, the largest local government area at 22 square kilometers, receives an impressive 1,405,200kL for general use, plus an additional 580,025kL for its golf course.
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation states that local government water entitlements are calculated based on the area of public open space designated for irrigation. A spokesperson confirmed, “Water licenses are determined by agreed land use type irrigation rates per hectare.”
As conditions worsen, residents and officials are urged to monitor further developments. The immediate water usage cutbacks in both councils are a critical step towards sustainable management in the face of increasing environmental pressures.
Stay tuned for updates on how these measures will impact community facilities and local green spaces. The urgency of water conservation has never been clearer.
