OBERON Council has given itself a water restrictions exemption to save the grass on the town's sporting grounds.
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The decision was made at council's December ordinary meeting and preceded the record-breaking heatwaves that hit the region.
The recommendation passed at the meeting allows council to use its fixed sprinkler systems to water sporting grounds - even though fixed sprinklers are not allowed under the current level two water restrictions.
The sporting ground watering will occur every second day at two-hour intervals during the hours 8pm to 7am only.
The report from Oberon Council technical services director Chris Schumacher outlined the implications if Oberon did not receive substantial summer rainfall.
"As council would be aware, current level two water restrictions are in place for the Oberon township," his report said.
"This means all water consumers, including council, are currently not permitted to use fixed sprinkler systems from the council water reticulation system - no fixed sprinkler systems or garden hoses with sprinkler heads attached.
"With this in mind, the impacts to council also present issues with an inability to water sporting ovals that are utilised by the public on a daily basis.
"Currently, the Recreation Ground, Rugby Leagues Grounds, and other parks and gardens require watering to keep them in a satisfactory condition.
"These fields have been recently fertilised during October to assist strengthening and recovery, however, still require watering systematically and more so with very little to no rainfall received."
If the fields were not watered, his report said, "the grasses will most certainly die back and the ground soil conditions will become very hard, making them a potential liability".
"This may mean that council will have to consider its position in closing the ovals to the public for sporting activities/events," his report said.
Cr Mark Kellam said he thought it was important to water as "we need to keep grounds safe to use".
Cr Brenda Lyon said watering longer and less frequently would be better for the fields.
Oberon Dam is at 27.67 per cent capacity.
