WHILE water restrictions loom for ratepayers, The Armidale Jockey Club will continue to use the city’s drinking water supply to keep its racetrack green.
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On Monday, Armidale Dumaresq councillors voted to continue offering the Jockey Club discounted water usage charges for a further 12 months. However, councillors also voted unanimously to introduce level one water restrictions across the city once the city’s water supply fell to 60 per cent capacity.
With the current level sitting at 62.5 per cent, Council staff estimate restrictions will come into place in five weeks.
The decision came after Armidale Jockey Club chairman Rod Watt appealed personally to councillors at Monday’s Council meeting, requesting the discounted rate be continued.
Mr Watt said the Jockey Club was considering building a dam in the centre of the track, which he said had the “informal” support of Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall.
The club had suffered a huge financial blow after the gazetted half-day holiday for the Armidale Cup was axed. Mr Watt also asked Council to reinstate the public holiday. “It’s an important day for Armidale,” Mr Watt said.
“We’re talking about one half-day a year.” But councillors were more focused on addressing the club’s water usage rather than the public holiday plea.
Jim Maher and Rob Richardson said giving the club time on the discounted rate would allow members to explore sustainable water supply options. “It gives them breathing space, but it also puts them on notice,” Cr Richardson said.
“It's an important industry in this town.
“This club is struggling,” Cr Richardson said
“These people are largely volunteers.”
Peter O’Donohue strongly opposed the suggestion.
“I can’t support this,” Cr O’Donohue said.
“They’ve done nothing.”
“I might support 12 months but not two years.”
According to Mr Watt’s figures, the Jockey Club has paid a total of $331,584 in water charges in 2003.
Last year, the club paid $64,856 because of drought.
The total for 2015 currently sits at $23,000.
The club pays a current rate of $2.41 per kilolitre.
Margaret O’Connor said two years was too lenient.
“Get the message out there that we’re supportive, but get serious,” Cr O’Connor said.
“[It should be] based on progress.”
Councillors voted to continue the discounted water rate for 12 months, with the vote split 6-3.
A progress review will be held at
the end of this period to assess the
club’s efforts to secure a steady water supply.
General Manager Glenn Wilcox will also hold a meeting with the club to address the issue.
Mr Wilcox said the club would not be exempt from restrictions when they are imposed.
“If we’re on water restriction, the Jockey Club will be on restrictions too,” he said.
Under the new water restrictions, the track would be limited to two hours of daily watering and would be encouraged to water late in the afternoon.
The issue of the half day holiday is set to return to Council at the later date, with Cr Maher foreshadowing a motion to reintroduce the topic to councillors.
