TILBUSTER Station is one step closer to securing water from Puddledock Dam for its vegetable garden.
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The property is run by Pathfinders and is tended to by about 200 disadvantaged and at-risk youths.
As with many properties, the station has found it difficult sourcing water for produce, but Armidale Dumaresq councillors on Monday gave the nod for the property to access Puddledock Dam.
Pathfinders will have to supply figures on how much is needed and the proposal will also have to be on public display for 28 days.
If there is a negative reaction from the community the move could still be defeated, but deputy mayor Herman Beyersdorf told The Express he expected it to be popular.
Giving Pathfinders access to the dam would represent $23,000 in lost revenue but Cr Beyersdorf said this was
misleading since the water was unlikely to be used anyway.
Councillor Margaret O’Connor was one of two councillors who voted against the measure, describing it as a “handout”.
She said it was unfair one producer should be allowed access to the dam’s water while others went without.
“It’s incredible to me that one operator could ask for a handout,” she said.
“Free water is not on.”
But Councillor Rob Richardson responded by saying it was important for the wellbeing of Armidale that at-risk youths be kept busy doing something productive and not causing trouble.
“This is about kids who have a chance to contribute to society,” he said.
Peter O’Donohue was the other councillor to oppose the measure.
Pathfinders will have to apply for a temporary transfer of the water license on Puddledock Dam and their use will be limited to 12 months.