Councillor Russell Turner opened the planning and development committee with remarks applauding the building industry for not slowing down despite the drought.

"We're going through restrictions but a lot of other towns and cities are doing worse than we are," he said.

Deputy mayor Sam Romano asked for more information on water use on the museum roof given it was being watered and residents could not water their lawns.

"How much and can that be replaced with artificial turf and better still insulation batts?" he said.

General discussions followed later in the evening as councillors applauded the raising of the dam wall and councillor Joanne McRae criticised members of the public registering their concerns in the press by accusing the council of "doing nothing".

"I'm sick of it [defending the comments]," she said.

Councillor Glenn Taylor made similar remarks.

"Where's the elephant in the room? What's the big thing they're saying we should do?" he said.

Motions to investigate reopening the Margaret Street level crossing and pay tribute to Max Stewart passed, as did development applications for Bloomfield Private Hospital and Quest, with balconies removed due to safety concerns.

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