PROPOSED Level 4 water restrictions have been labelled "too harsh" as Riverina councils still debate whether to accept the NSW Government's request.

The Department of Water and Energy has requested all Murray and Murrumbidgee valley councils to adopt Level 4 restrictions, which ban all outside watering, but could only be imposed for the winter months.

Laurie Fromholtz wrote to The Daily Advertiser yesterday, saying such harsh restrictions would damage Wagga's image.

"This move to impose Level 4 restrictions will have a very damaging affect on the city of Wagga and other rural cities and towns and should be carefully analysed before any decision is made," he said.

"The impact on garden-related businesses has already been explored but in a time of economic downturn and Government action to preserve jobs, this needs serious consideration.

"Less rigorous restrictions in the past have caused keen gardeners to sacrifice gardening but banning outside watering will result in the loss of many thousands of dollars worth of plants."

A former long-serving Wagga City Council engineer, Mr Fromholtz was adamant he was voicing his concerns as a private citizen and believed the decision to impose restrictions would have a long-term effect.

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