reviews its Sustainable Water Use Plan.

Although a request by the Heritage Advisory Committee to turn on the taps was refused at last week's Hepburn

Shire Council meeting at Daylesford Senior Citizens Centre, Coliban Ward Councillor Heather Mutimer and

Holcombe Ward's Bill McClenaghan spoke in favour of returning water to the fountains.

"A fountain that doesn't spurt water becomes a statue," Cr McClenaghan said.

"They are a part of our heritage. They are appreciated by residents, ratepayers and visitors. We do have other water

we can source," he said.

A council report on the matter said Hepburn Shire had adopted the Sustainable Water Use Plan 2007 and

committed to a range of sustainable water use measures, strategies and implementations including turning off all

water fountains.

"We really need to amend the policy," Cr Mutimer said.

Creswick Ward's Janine Booth supported the amendment.

"I think there is a compromise we can meet while still being water wise," Cr Booth said.

The Daylesford Water supply system decreased to Stage Two water restrictions on December 17 last year after a

Central Highlands Water board members meeting.

Storage levels in the Daylesford water supply system have recovered sufficiently to allow water restriction levels

to be decreased from stage three to stage two and remain sustainable for the rest of the summer period.

Central Highlands Water managing director Neil Brennan said the board was continuously reviewing water

restriction levels to ensure the protection of our long-term water resources.

"With the drought conditions being experienced throughout the region, the continuous monitoring of water supply

systems and the implementation of water restriction levels ensure the sustainability of our precious resource," Mr

Brennan said.