Tamworth Regional Council is taking speedy action today to fix a "substantial" leak to the small pond adjacent to the fountain in Tamworth's Bicentennial Park.
Council's Parks and Horticulture staff recently discovered the significant leak – of up to 170 kilolitres of bore water over two days - and are taking action quickly to remedy the problem.
Tamworth Regional Council Manager Sports and Recreation, Paul Kelly, said park users will notice some construction activity near the fountain from today.
"Staff recently discovered a substantial leak from the smaller pond near the fountain and we want to address it urgently in light of our Region's current drought conditions where we are all very conscious with conserving water," he said.
"We want to let our community and park visitors know that today we are starting to drain the pond.
"It will be left for a couple of weeks to dry out and then it will be replaced with an underground tank connected to bore water to directly supply the fountain. The tank will be covered in soil and then will be grassed.
"The larger pond on the other side of the fountain will not be impacted at this stage – its future will be discussed as part of the process which has just started for the review and updating of the Bicentennial Park Masterplan."
Mr Kelly said it was important for park users and the wider community to understand the fountain will not be operating while the works are in progress.
"The fountain will be out of action for up to eight weeks while the works are completed," he said. "It will then flow again using a separate bore water supply for the community to enjoy."
Council decided last year to undertake a review of the Bicentennial Park Masterplan which was created in 2009.
A team of Council staff are now working with consultants to develop a number of concept designs and options. These will be shared with local residents and park users as part of a consultation program to give the community a chance to have their say about how the Bicentennial Park is managed into the future.
