Orchardist Peter Darley says the council needs to address fears, including that Lake Canobolas could be drawn down to mud level.

“The figure they give is that would yield about 1040 megalitres if they drew it down to three metres below the spillway, but the question was asked, how much water’s in the Lake Canobolas? How much mud’s in Lake Canobolas? and I think that’s very much an unknown,” he said.

Mr Darley says land-holders around the lake would want guarantees about water flows before allowing a pipeline on their land.

Mr Darley says nine resolutions were passed at last night’s meeting and will be taken to Cabonne and Orange councils.