The Narromire Shire Council has defended criticisms about parks and gardens being too green, but admits it has no idea of the amount of water being used to maintain the facilities.
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It was announced under the current water restrictions in place for the Narromine Shire, total water usage should be limited to three megalitres (ML) per day.
However it was revealed between four and 4.5 ML of water was being used per day in the shire.
Residents took to social media to express their frustration, especially with greenery being maintained in the main street.
"The ovals are all pretty green, while everyone else's lawns are dead. [I think] it's not the 'residents' using the extra water," one resident commented on the Narromine News Facebook page.
"There must be metering done on the parks and gardens,ovals etc. l'm sure the average householders are doing there best to restrict there usage while watching beautiful gardens dry out and die," another resident added.
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While the council didn't have a figure for how much they were using for the upkeep of public amenities, Narromine Shire Council general manager Jane Redden said under their approved drought management plan, all but a few parks, gardens and green spaces were exempt from the current water conservation measures and restrictions.
She said the drought management plan identifies areas where the council need to water outside water restriction times, but it also helped them prioritise different ways to save water across the region as well as implementing different strategies with residents.
"[The council] are watering in water restriction times except for a few exemptions we put in place, which are listed on our website," Ms Redden said.
The general manager said the council had invested heavily in the town, and the loss of parks and gardens was another cost to council, which they didn't want to incur.
"We are loosing things like everyone in their gardens, but we want to maintain as much as we can," she said.
"Also people are currently living in brown conditions, and many people want to be able to come to town and see something nice."
Currently Narromine Shire residents are on level three water restrictions, while residents in Trangie and Tomingley are on level two. Ms Redden said these restrictions were essential to reduce the overall water use in the shire as the drought conditions continue.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
