General News
26 August, 2020
Free Mulch On Offer As Water Restrictions Edge Closer in Douglas
A FREE mulch giveaway will get green thumbs thinking about ways to conserve water in the garden as the dry season continues to lower water levels in local catchments.
Douglas Shire Council is encouraging residents to fill their trays with free mulch from the Killaloe Transfer Station this weekend to help keep their plants happy in coming weeks.
A lack of rain during the wet season has led to reduced flows at Rex Creek, which supplies Port Douglas and Mossman, with the intake level dropping about 10mm per day.
Staff have started contacting landscapers to advise that Level 1 Water Restrictions are likely to turn on next week.
Manager of Water & Wastewater, Peter Tonkes, said encouraging consumers to be more water wise during drier periods was a great way to reduce demand on a diminishing source.
“The intake level is dipping towards 300mm which means we need everyone to look at how we can reduce our water usage, particularly in the backyard,’ he said.
“This could be by using mulch when gardening, using a bucket to wash your boat, or watering on alternate evenings when it is cooler and evaporation is not an issue.
“Council staff are closely monitoring the water levels and working closely with our heavy water users to reduce demand.”
Mayor Michael Kerr encouraged everyone to be water wise and take advantage of the free mulch offer this weekend.
“The sun keeps shining and we have been getting these beautiful days, but unfortunately we aren’t getting any rain,” he said.
“Mulching helps slow moisture evaporation, keeping more water in the soil and available to thirsty plant roots.”
How Do I Get Free Mulch?
Council is offering residents the opportunity to pick up free mulch for four days, from Friday 28th August to Monday 31st August 2020
Where: Killaloe Transfer Station only.
Monday to Saturday from 8am to 5.30pm
Sundays from 9am to 5.30pm.
Conditions are:
The offer of free mulch applies to domestic users only. Vehicles weighing up to GVM 4.5 tonnes maximum with a maximum of four cubic metres per load.
Council staff will assist with loading.
The stock is “green” uncured mulch, and Council does not guarantee the quality of the product. This material is not produced to Australian Standard (AS4454-2003) and may contain weed species and other non-organic remnants. Council does not assume any liability resulting from the use of this product.
Social distancing measures are still in place at Killaloe Transfer Station, please stay in your vehicle unless securing your load.
For enquiries regarding Electric or Crazy Ant quarantine details, please contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 13 25 23.
