Tourist drain feared

HAMISH HEARD
Barwon Water fears its dwindling supplies will struggle to cope with an influx of visitors to the region over summer holidays unless tourists obey restrictions.
The authority’s chairman, Stephen Vaughan, said some towns in the region swelled up to five times their permanent population, prompting a campaign to educate visitors about water shortages.
Mr Vaughan said it was vital visitors were made aware of stage four restrictions and joined locals’ efforts to conserve water.
“The Barwon Water region hosts about 180,000 visitors during the peak summer holiday period,” he said.
“Our coastal towns are experiencing one of the driest years on record and visitors to the region are being asked to use less water while on holidays.”
Mr Vaughan said the region had experienced little more than half its average annual rain, forcing Barwon Water to introduce its harshest stage of restrictions earlier this month.
“In 2006, winter and spring rains, the most important for our water supply systems, did not eventuate,” he said.
Stage four bans outside watering and washing of cars, boats and caravans.
“Barwon Water has distributed information about the water restrictions to caravan parks and real estate agencies on the Bellarine Peninsula and along the Surf Coast,” Mr Vaughan said.
Mobile billboards, posters, brochures and advertising in local papers would give visitors information about restrictions, he said.
Geelong Otway Tourism executive director Roger Grant also urged visitors to the region to heed the water conservation message.
“I ask all visitors to the region to observe water restrictions for the benefit of other visitors and also for the permanent residents of the region,” Mr Grant said.
“It doesn’t take a lot to be water wise. Simple things like keeping showers short, not leaving the tap on when you’re cleaning your teeth and only using the dishwasher and washing machine when you have a full load all make a difference.”