Gosford City Council rolls out major new campaign aimed at visitors

Visitors to the Gosford local government area for the festive season are going to know something as soon as they arrive - that the Central Coast is subject to water restrictions.

A campaign that's been in the making for three months is being rolled out by Gosford City Council to make sure everyone who visits the Gosford region during the summer months knows they have to save water or risk on the spot penalties.

'Around the Gosford area, banners, signs, stickers and posters have been erected to get the message across that if you visit this region you have to abide by the water restrictions that are in force,' explained Gosford City Mayor, Laurie Maher.

'We're also working with local businesses and retailers to get these same posters and stickers on display in all hotels, motels, clubs, pubs, resorts, restaurants, chemists, banks, GPs, real estate agents, fitness centres and caravan parks.'

In addition, around 300 Council vehicles including trucks, utes, cars and beach buggies are progressively receiving new signage clearly highlighting that water restrictions are in force on the Central Coast.

'With our local population set to increase by as much as 10% in the next week or so, we felt it important to get the message out there as bold and high profile as possible and that's exactly what we’re doing,' said Laurie Maher.

'Visitors to the beach will now see huge banners at all Surf Life Clubs telling people to 'Visit & Stay But Don’t Waste It Away'. Those who use the public amenity blocks in the area will see stickers with the same message above hand basins and behind toilet doors and in the showers.

'We're also put on display banners at five high profile community notice boards around the area, posters in 14 illuminated advertising signs and, in the next few days, will erect 17 new reflective road signs highlighting the message that 'We All Need It, Don't Waste It.

According to Laurie Maher, it's only by working together as a community across all water users including commercial, industrial, domestic, government and other, that we'll achieve a consistent reduction in demand for town water.

'We need to keep demand at a consistent 70 million litres a day to give us the breathing space we need to continue implementing the $100 million of capital works to boost our water supplies in the short term and ensure our total dam storage levels do not fall below 10%,' he said.

Council is also erecting new signs at every boat ramp, public wharf and beach shower advising that the taps at these facilities have been turned off to help conserve town water.

'We understand that some visitors might be disappointed that they can't have a shower at the beach or wash down their boat or flush through their marine engine but they have to understand we're currently in the grip of the worst drought on record,' said Council's Operations Manager, Water & Sewer, Steve Martin.

'The local community have been coping with Level 4 restrictions since 1 October and doing their best to get daily demand for town water down even further. What they don't want to see is thousands of visitors from outside of the Central Coast putting at risk the water we have left by blatantly flaunting the rules.'

Over the past few weeks, Council has contacted more than 500 businesses and retailers in writing and by phone asking for their help to get the message out there.

'We've provided them with free advertising materials which they can display above hand basins and behind toilet doors in their public amenities, in foyers and public rooms as well as in outside dining areas, indeed anywhere where the information will get people's attention,' said Laurie Maher.

'We've also sent a new information sheet on current water restrictions and tips on how visitors can reduce the amount of water they use every day to hotels, motels, resorts, caravan parks and all other types of accommodation to include in their guest bedrooms.'

To date, the response from the business community and retail sector has been very supportive.

'Most businesses are delighted to be able to help and we're beginning to get a steady flow of calls from people asking us for more materials so they can spread the word even further,' said Steve Martin.

Media Enquires: Janet Saunders -             02 4325 7075

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