REDLAND City is set to remain on its existing Level 2 water restrictions as long as possible.
The Redlands is expected to move to tougher restrictions in seven months when the State Government brings the city's watering rules into line with other parts of South East Queensland.
Mayor Melva Hobson last week spoke in favour of introducing minor changes to current water restrictions in the next two months, but the argument fell on deaf ears.
Cr Hobson argued the Redlands should move to the Queensland Water Commission's "permanent water conservation measures" in September or October.
These measures would have offered a small reprieve to households by extending hosing hours in the morning to 10am, instead of the existing 7am cut off.
The changes would have included more onerous measures, with pool owners facing stringent requirements for topping up their pools and high water users coming under scrutiny.
Divisional councillors defied the Mayor at a committee meeting last week by voting to maintain the current water restrictions until the Redlands was forced to move to the commission's uniform measures next March.
Division 9 Councillor Karen Williams said tinkering with restrictions in the lead up to the big change next year could cause "mass confusion" among residents.
"I don't think people are going to be upset by us remaining on Level 2 for as long as we possibly can."
Cr Hobson said the council should defer the issue to seek more information from the water commission, but she believed extended hosing hours would be welcomed.
"It does give greater flexibility, particularly for our elderly people," Cr Hobson said.
The Mayor was the only councillor to vote against remaining on the current restrictions.
The council also voted not to conduct its own public education campaign on the water commission restrictions that would be introduced in March. Councillors said the media and water commission were responsible for informing the community.
The decision will be endorsed at Wednesday's general meeting.
The facts on water restrictions
WHEN CAN I WATER AT THE MOMENT?
Redland City Council's current Level 2 water restrictions allow garden hosing before 7am and after 4pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for odd-numbered homes or on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for even-numbered homes.
WHEN WILL WE JOIN THE SEQ WATER GRID?
The Redlands is due to be connected to the regional water grid by December.
The Queensland Water Commission says we will move to uniform regional restrictions at the end of March.
WHAT RESTRICTIONS WILL WE BE ON THEN?
It is unclear what restrictions we will move to at the end of March.
The water commission says it will depend on water supply levels at the time.
WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
Most parts of South East Queensland are currently on "high level" restrictions which allow half an hour of hosing each weekend and encourage residents to use no more than 170 litres a day. The three major dams are almost 41 per cent full.
"Medium level" restrictions will come into force when the dams reach 50 per cent, with a usage target of 200 litres a day and hosing allowed for half an hour twice a week.
"Permanent water conservation measures" will come into effect when dams reach 60 per cent, with a usage target of 230 litres a day and hosing allowed before 10am and after 4pm.
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