TAMWORTH Regional Council (TRC) faces a hefty fine, or even prosecution, after it admitted it took more than its fair share of water from the Peel alluvium.
At an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday night, the council voted to report the breach to the Premier, the Natural Resource Access Regulator (NRAR) and to stop pumping immediately from the Scott Road Drift Wells after it was revealed it had taken "well in excess" of its allocation.
The council knew in February there was a chance it had taken too much, and tried to solve the problem with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) by buying it back on the open water market.
The wells provide up to 10ML of water each day for Tamworth, Moonbi and Kootingal but TRC water and waste director Bruce Logan refused to reveal the amount of water that was taken illegally.
"We don't have a very high allocation at the four drift wells and we are well in excess of our allocation at the moment," he said.
"It's a matter between us and NRAR at the moment as they consider what action they might like to take with the council and we are leaving that with them to sort it out. We have stopped pumping at the moment and we won't be exceeding our allocation anymore. "We would say that there are mitigating circumstances given we are in the worst drought on record and Tamworth is running out of water."
- Continued P3
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
