Council has completed an emergency water bore for Murrurundi to meet essential needs until the completion of the long-awaited Scone to Murrurundi pipeline, even if the drought continues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The past year has been difficult for the community which has been on the highest water restrictions since July. Residents are to be commended for their patience and discipline in their use of water, and average daily consumption is on target. A lack of water continues to present key challenges and hard decisions for Murrurundi and Council.
Ordinarily, the Murrurundi Pool season would open in October, however 840,000 litres is required to sanitise and ready the pool for opening, at an expected cost of $50,000 to open and some $5,000 per month to keep topped up and clean
Council has had to weigh up the option to open the pool with the additional costs. Providing water to households, businesses and other services must always take priority.
Thanks in part to a generous offer by the Royal Hotel in Murrurundi to provide a truck to cart the volumes of water needed, Council announced last week that it will open the pool prior to the summer school holidays.
This support has been fantastic and provides yet another example of the strength of the community. My personal thanks to the Royal Hotel for their generosity and continued support for their local community.
Discussing Deer
Council is hosting a community forum on Monday, 8 October from 6pm at the Murrurundi RSL Hall to seek feedback on a proposal from the Local Land Services (LLS) to undertake an on-ground cull of deer in and around the open spaces of Murrurundi in addition to an aerial cull around the Hunter this month.
Feral deer present both a nuisance and a hazard. Whilst deer have been a problem for many years, the prevailing drought conditions have seen increased numbers roaming in and around the town decimating gardens and crops, and posing a danger to motorists.
Earlier this year around thousands of deer were culled by aerial shooting undertaken by the LLS, who are now seeking approval from Council to complement another planned aerial cull with a ground based campaign.
All carcasses would be removed and provided to the game meat industry. I urge Murrurundi residents to attend the meeting and write to Council with their views.
