Wagga City general manager Peter Thompson said on Tuesday that the council’s plan for a fast and temporary measure could now end up costing the same as a permanent solution.

“We met with four representatives who came to town yesterday from the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR),” he said.

“From our perspective, it wasn’t a good meeting.”

Mr Thompson said the list of requirements given to council meant that the proposed measure, a temporary shutter across Tatton Drain at Lake Albert was “not a viable solution”. 

“It would mean that we would have to buy a water entitlement,” he said.

“They themselves were not sure where we would go to acquire that in the sense of what was or was not on the market to provide that means.”

Mr Thompson said 40,000 residents along with sporting events and businesses could now be affected by falling water levels at Lake Albert.

“People should expect more from their governments,” he said. 

Mr Thompson said the council had been asked to commission a full Environmental Impact Statement.

“That is a substantial document. In terms of costs it would be between a minimum of between $50,000 and $100,000.

“We would need to a method to measure how much water was going into the lake...which again would be a significant expense.

“It would be madness to spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to pursue a temporary, short-term fix.”

An NRAR spokesperson said the agency would need “an assessment of impacts, which must include potential impacts on downstream users, flooding, the ecology of the lake and receiving waters”. 

"NRAR will make a prompt assessment of the Tatton Drain proposal once this information is provided by Council,” the spokesperson said.

Last month, councillors approved $52,000 for a temporary weir at Tatton Drain but continued to pursue cheaper options such as the shutter.

The plan later hit trouble when the NRAR classified the plan as ‘redirecting a waterway’.

Wagga MP Joe McGirr has lobbied for the council in meetings with regulators.

While you’re with us, did you know that you can now receive updates straight to you inbox each day at 6am from the Daily Advertiser? To make sure you’re up to date with all the Wagga news sign up here.