Level three restrictions will come into force this weekend, with the main change outlawing handheld garden hoses and sprinklers. 

Councillor Glenn Taylor intended to move on Tuesday to delay the onset of tougher restrictions until the new year, but rules on extraordinary meetings meant because the item had not been advertised, it could not be discussed.

He will raise the matter at this Tuesday’s meeting.

Council spokesman Nick Redmond said rangers would be keeping an eye on gardens, but the message was to work together on using less water. 

“Orange City Council’s package of water restrictions is based on the message that we’re all in this together,” he said.

He said the council expected most people to respond to dropping dam levels by doing the right thing. 

“If a resident sees some water use that concerns them, they can contact the council and a ranger will look into it,” he said.

“It might be a newcomer to town who will respond when they read the information that the ranger leaves for them, it might be someone with their own groundwater bore – most people will respond to a visit.”

However, he said there was still a place for penalties.

“Fines of between $220 to $2000 are another option in the toolbox if a resident or business refused to behave responsibly,” he said.

Ratepayers can apply for an exemption for medical conditions or one-off events.

READ ALSO: Green thumbs share how you can save water in the garden

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