Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has called on homeowners to switch from grass to gravel lawns as water restrictions loom.
The Nationals MP tweeted his water-saving suggestions to Twitter on Wednesday as residents in New South Wales and other parts of the country grapple with the continuing drought.
‘Now even Sydney heading to water restrictions,’ he tweeted.
‘Build more dams or replace lawns with gravel.’
This year’s April and May period in Sydney is on track to become the second driest period in 160 years, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Warm weather has also exacerbated the dry conditions, with autumn temperatures pegged at 1.5C above the long term average.
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has advised drought-affected homeowners to switch from grass to gravel lawns as water restrictions loom ahead
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has advised drought-affected homeowners to switch from grass to gravel lawns as water restrictions loom ahead
This year’s April and May months in Sydney is on track to become the second driest period in 160 years, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (stock picture)
Sydney recorded its warmest day this late into the Autumn season in 25 years, with a reading of 27C on Tuesday.
According to the state government’s drought indicator, 98 per cent of NSW is drought-affected with 14 per cent in severe drought.
Only two per cent is not affected by drought, with a small part of the state recovering.
Below average rainfall across the state over a two year period has done nothing to help dam levels.
Water NSW data depicts a dark reality with capacity levels gradually shrinking.
Collectively, dams have plunged a quarter of their volume over the past year and currently sit just south of 54 per cent capacity.
Warragamba Dam supplies water to more than 3.7 million people living in Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains.
Though its reserve sits just above 55 per cent capacity.
Figures are more dire in places like Burrendong Dam, which is just at 6 per cent, and Keepit Dam on the Namoi River, as it hovers around an alarming 0.9 per cent capacity.
‘Over the last two years dam levels have dropped faster than the average rate during the Millennium Drought,’ a Sydney Water spokesperson told Sydney Morning Herald.
As Queensland farmers continue to grapple with low-level dams, recent floods have brought in an added strain known as ‘green drought’.
As much as 180mm of rain was dumped in certain parts of the state due to a monsoon trough earlier this year.
Though, the sudden outburst of lush green grass after months and years of drought have fueled outbreaks of cattle illness.
A graphic depiction of rainfall levels recorded across Australia from April 2017 to February 2019
Warragamba Dam supplies water to more than 3.7 million people living in Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains (pictured, Warragamba Dam)
Augathella farmer John Gardiner, in remote western Queensland, said the much needed water didn’t go to where it was most needed.
‘Here there’s four dams that are only a quarter full and one dam that’s completely empty,’ he told ABC.
‘The rain was so steady but we didn’t get any heavy falls … so the water didn’t run into dams.
‘When there’s green grass but no water you’ve got to work as hard as being in a dry drought.’
Elsewhere, state governments are working to bring in tough water restriction policies to help drought affected residents cope.
Gladys Berejiklian and her NSW cabinet will review planned water restrictions for Sydney as soon as next Monday.
‘The current depletion rate and drought conditions mean Sydney should expect formal water restrictions soon if there is no rain,’ a spokesperson for Water Minister Melinda Pavey said.
With the dam capacity expected to drop below half over coming weeks, the first water restrictions could be brought in as early as 10 weeks time.
This will include enforcing the Water Wise Rules, restricting homeowners from watering their gardens from 10am and 4pm, and also encouraging them to install trigger hoses.
Dubbo, in north-west NSW, will jump straight to level two restrictions and impose the water saving measures on its 40,000 residents.
According to the state government’s drought indicator, 98 per cent of NSW is drought affected with 14 per cent grappling with severe drought.
Collectively, dams have plunged a quarter of their volume over the past year and currently sit just south of 54 per cent capacity (stock picture)