Prompted by years of drought CENTROC, the organisation that represents 17 councils from across the central west, commissioned the study aimed at securing water supplies for the region out to 2059.

The key recommendation calls for the expansion of Lake Rowlands near Blayney and a series of pipelines linking centres, including one linking Forbes with the Lake.

The organisation developed forecasts of the water needs of towns across the region for the next 50 years. A model of future water resources was then developed, designed to determine likely water availability under current climatic conditions and resources which may materialise due to climate change.

Projected demand for water and likely resources were then used to assess water security for each town in the CENTROC area.

The study assessed Forbes, along with 28 other towns around the region, as needing improvements in water security.

The most appropriate options to secure water supplies in the region were then assessed.

The preferred option to secure this water is an expansion of Lake Rowlands (this would see the Lake expanded from its current 4,500 megalitres to 26,500 megalitres).

This option includes a pipeline from the Lake to Gooloogong and a Gooloogong to Forbes pipeline with connection to Parkes.

Minor new storages at Cumnock, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo and Yeoval are also recommended. Funding for the massive project now becomes the priority and CENTROC will now consult with member councils as to the best way to seek State and Federal funding.

The organisation has also requested a meeting with the Minister for Climate Change and Water Penny Wong when the Federal Government holds a community cabinet meeting in Bathurst on November 9.

Interested community members are also being invited to attend a forum and presentation on the study.

“The mayors and general managers of CENTROC voted unanimously in support of the study,” said Mayor of the Forbes Shire Councillor Phyllis Miller.

“It has considered climate change as well as demand management and opportunities for saving water across the region.”

“There are a variety of solutions suggested in the preferred option including an augmentation of Lake Rowlands, a network of pipes and some smaller dams for communities like Cumnock and Yeoval.” The forum will take place at the Orange City Council chambers from 6.30pm next Tuesday, November 10.

A full copy of the study is available at www.centroc.com.au