NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 24: The sprinklers were put on prior to the Australia Cup 2025 Quarter Final match between Newcastle Jets FC and Macarthur FC at Maitland Showground, on August 24, 2025 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
URGENT UPDATE: The Town of Mosman Park and the Shire of Peppermint Grove are implementing significant water usage reductions after hitting their groundwater limits. The Town of Mosman Park revealed it exceeded its annual allocation by 15,283 kL last year, prompting immediate action to curb consumption.
Officials announced that Mosman Park will halt irrigation in areas deemed purely aesthetic and prioritize watering for high-use sporting facilities. Upgrades to irrigation systems are also underway to enhance efficiency and reduce wastage.
Meanwhile, the Shire of Peppermint Grove is facing its own challenge, finding itself right at the brink of its annual groundwater allocation. With a total usage of 43,885 kL against a limit of 44,025 kL during the 2024-25 financial year, the council will decommission four watering areas, including parts of Bay View Terrace and Keane Street, to stay within its limits.
Shire CEO Don Burnett addressed the council, stating, “The area we’re talking about on Bay View and King is to be decommissioned from our watering cycle because it’s one of the locations we identified to achieve our target for our water extraction.” He underscored the ongoing nature of the water crisis, noting, “This issue probably won’t go away.”
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation confirmed that local government water entitlements are calculated based on the area of public open space under irrigation. This year’s limitations highlight the stark contrast between smaller municipalities and larger counterparts. For instance, the City of Subiaco oversees 444,921 kL for an area of about 7 sq km, while the Town of Cambridge, the largest local government area in the western suburbs at 22 sq km, is entitled to 1,405,200 kL annually, plus an additional 580,025 kL for the Wembley golf course.
Residents in Mosman Park and Peppermint Grove should be aware of these changes as the councils strive to maintain sustainable water use under challenging conditions. The situation remains fluid, and both councils are urging community cooperation as they navigate this urgent issue.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as local governments face ongoing challenges in managing water resources effectively.
