Lawn sprinklers one week but Stage Four the next?
ACT Greens MLA Deb Foskey today questioned ACTEW’s week by week approach to water restrictions, following announcements today that sprinklers for lawns might be allowed throughout January.
“It was only a few weeks ago that we were considering the impact of Stage Four water restrictions here in Canberra” Dr Foskey said today.
“If we do move to Stage Four, Canberra people will see will bear the loss of many loved trees and shrubs, in addition to their vegetable gardens, lawns and flowers.”
“Our dams are still less than half full, and the Murray Darling Basin is still in crisis - making our contribution to the Murrumbidgee more than a local issue.”
“But ACTEW is talking about sprinklers on our lawns again.”
“I think everyone knows that we face a drier climate around Canberra - even though the last few weeks have been good for gardeners.”
“So it’s important that people can plan their gardens for long term survival. That means smaller lawns and a shift to drought tolerant plants.”
“It also means that people growing vegetables and keeping their trees alive don’t want to get sudden surprises.”
“The ACT Greens would like to see us move to a permanent culture of water conservation.”
“Waiting for the word on high from ACTEW that we can use sprinklers, or drip irrigation, every second day, or on the weekend, or not at all, doesn’t seem like the best way to do it” Dr Foskey said.
