Gunnedah Shire Council has announced that Level 1 Water Restrictions will come into effect for the townships of Gunnedah and Curlewis from 12am on Thursday, 8 January 2026, following a sustained increase in water consumption across the local supply system.
Council advised that the restrictions have been triggered after average daily water use exceeded sustainable levels, activating the first stage of measures under its Drought Management Plan. The aim of Level 1 restrictions is to encourage residents and businesses to adopt more water-conscious habits, particularly as the region enters the peak summer period when demand typically increases.
The introduction of restrictions aligns with Council’s 2024 Drought Management Plan, which outlines a staged response to extended dry conditions to safeguard long-term water security.
The plan applies to reticulated water supplies across the shire, including Gunnedah and Curlewis, and sets clear trigger points for escalating restrictions based on consumption levels and water availability. It also identifies a range of demand-side and supply-side actions, from community education and monitoring through to contingency supply measures, designed to ensure essential water needs can be met during prolonged dry periods.
While Level 1 restrictions are considered the lowest level, they still require changes to outdoor water use. Under the new rules, fixed hoses and automatic sprinkler systems may only be used during designated hours. During daylight saving time, watering is permitted between 6 pm and 8 pm, while outside daylight saving hours, use is limited to 5 pm to 7 pm. These restrictions apply to gardens, lawns and other outdoor areas.
Additional measures include limits on washing down hard surfaces such as driveways, paths and paved areas, which is only permitted using a high-pressure cleaning device. Residents wishing to fill or top up a private swimming pool with more than 2,000 litres of water must first obtain approval from Council.
Water use in public spaces is also affected, with fixed hoses and sprinkler systems in public parks and gardens restricted and limited to approved times where necessary to maintain essential green spaces.
Council is encouraging residents to adopt everyday water-saving practices, including watering gardens during cooler parts of the day, using trigger-nozzle hoses, repairing household leaks promptly and limiting unnecessary water use. While Level 1 restrictions are intended as an early intervention, Council has warned that continued high demand and dry conditions could lead to tighter restrictions if consumption does not reduce.
Further information, including a full breakdown of water conservation levels and practical water-saving tips, is available on the Gunnedah Shire Council website, along with the Water Conservation Levels flyer.
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