The move was voted through council at yesterday's meeting, and $45,000 allocated for a community awareness campaign and to revisit the council's drought and demand management plans.

In the business papers, infrastructure services director Jeremy Bartlett wrote only 276mm of rain had been recorded this year up until November 30.

There had also been only 345.9mm the year before, "making it the driest two-year period since records began 1878".

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He said there had been drops in the levels of some of the shire's bores and, while the pumping capacity was meeting demand, "we are in unprecedented territory from a groundwater recovery perspective" because of the drought.

The council adopted its drought management plan in July 2017, but Mr Bartlett said it didn't account for "the possible slow aquifer recovery given the unprecedented nature of the event".

The motion was moved by councillor Colleen Fuller, who said it was "absolutely essential that we do this".

She was supported by councillor Gae Swain, who said it was "an appropriate step to take at this stage".

"We are entering unprecedented waters and we need to be careful," she said.

Acting mayor Rob Hooke added his support, thanking the council's water group and Mr Bartlett for "taking proactive steps, rather than reactive steps".

"I think, being in uncharted territory like this, it's most important that we take this step," he said.

"We've been a bit blase about our water and I think it's now time to be proactive - and I'm sure the community will appreciate this.

"There has been some concern for some time."

Thttps://www.nvi.com.au/story/1878267/water-restrictions-in-force/he last time the shire was on level 1 water restrictions was in 2013.

At this level, residents may use fixed sprinklers from 6 to 7 o'clock only, morning and night. They may wash down hard surfaces with high-pressure hoses only, and need a permit to fill pools over 2000 litres.

The current water restriction policy has been in place since the 2002-03 drought.

All properties on town water supplies in Gunnedah, Curlewis, Mullaley and Tambar Springs have been on permanent water conservation measures.