A 36-year-old man, Todd Munter of the south Sydney suburb of Sylvania, appeared in court Thursday on a charge of murdering Kenneth Proctor, 66, who lived in the same suburb.

Police allege an argument about water restrictions erupted as Munter walked past Proctor's home on Wednesday afternoon and the pensioner turned the hose on the younger man, soaking him with water.

Munter is then alleged to have punched Proctor in the head and knocked him to the ground before kicking him. The older man suffered a massive heart attack and died a short time later in hospital.

Stunned neighbours and colleagues described Proctor as a popular and helpful family man.

"Everyone in the neighbourhood is shocked," Bruce Buscombe told Seven Network television. "We're all good friends. We all do everything to help each other. We just can't believe it."

In court, Munter appeared distraught and close to tears as he sat in the dock, supported by at least six members of his family including his elderly parents, the national AAP news agency reported.

He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until November 15.

A Sydney Water spokesman said that if the time stated in the police report was correct, the dead man had not been violating water restrictions.

The restrictions, enforced as the country suffers the worst drought in living memory, allow residents to water their lawns and gardens with hand-held hoses before 10.00am and after 4.00pm on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The water restrictions are highly publicised, with members of the public encouraged to report neighbours who break the rules and council rangers patrolling streets in Sydney with the power to levy on-the-spot fines.

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