Yass Council has lifted its restrictions, but other areas aren’t so lucky. Photo: James Coleman.
Wet weather has brought relief to parts of southern NSW, but some communities are still hoping for rainfall.
Water restrictions have been lifted in Yass following recent rain and the replenishment of above ground catchments.
Mayor Jasmin Jones announced the news on Thursday, praising residents’ work to conserve water.
“I’d like to include a note of thanks to our community for doing their part, as part of that water restrictions,” she said.
“It’s very welcome [news].”
She also noted the area was likely to see more rain, as a powerful low-pressure system crosses much of southern NSW this week.
It means the level one restrictions, which were brought in during late February, have been lifted.
The restrictions applied to all customers connected to the Yass water supply network, including those in Yass and the village areas of Murrumbateman, Bowning and Binalong.
According to the live tracker, the dam’s storage is sitting at about 89 per cent (it had fallen below 81 per cent, just before the water restrictions were brought in).
Despite recent patchy rain, water security remains one of the biggest concerns for farmers across the south. Photo: Edwina Mason.
But in other parts of southern NSW, restrictions remain.
Residents at Nimmitabel, in the NSW Snowy Mountains, are still under water restrictions, after moving to level two restrictions earlier this year.
At the time, Snowy Monaro Regional Council warned that they could go further (with the current restrictions affecting all properties connected to the Nimmitabel town water supply).
“Further restrictions may be required if water levels and flow rate in the Maclaughlin River continue to decline,” a council spokesperson said.
In the Upper Murray region, farmers have also been pushing for a water security plan, as drought conditions bite across southern and western NSW.
