On introducing the motion, Cr John Dal Broi said he could see no sense in the city not using its full allocation.

“Over the years some of us have worked very hard – staff and councillors – to reach this allocation of nearly 15,000 megalitres and we are entitled to use 100 per cent and we’re going to say no you can’t because we have to save water,” Cr Dal Broi said.

“Where’s that water going to go? We can’t sell it; we can’t do anything with it. I would like to go into the spring on Level 1. If there are issues, then let’s look at it again.”

But Cr Allan Bennett argued that people had adjusted well to the odds-and- evens watering regime put in place in December and, contrary to what many had predicted, Griffith’s gardens had not turned into dustbowls while Level 2 restrictions were in effect.

He said it would be prudent for council to retain the existing restrictions as the latest advice from the state government was for councils to “continue to implement a water restriction that limits outside watering”.

Before casting his deciding vote, Cr Zappacosta warned the city could be

facing more severe restrictions in the coming months.

“I will vote against the motion, so it’s lost, and the restrictions Level 2 will stay,” he said.

Local businessman Peter Miller, general manager of Collier and Miller, said any suggestion that Griffith’s

gardens had not suffered under the stress of water restrictions was erroneous, and suggested Cr Bennett needed to take a closer look around the city.

“I’ve been told that when the hospital tries to get specialists down here they drive around the town, see it looking dreadful and don’t want to come back,” Mr Miller said.

“Why not use the water that we are allocated? We’re paying for it, so why shouldn’t we use it?”