The meeting is expected to discuss the urgent need for the NSW Government to contribute $9 million in funding towards a $41-million, 10- year water rescue plan to drought-proof the city of Orange.

A spokesperson for the Water Minister Nathan Rees said yesterday a meeting would be scheduled soon.

“Water Minister Rees and Mayor John Davis are trying to align diaries to meet in the next few weeks,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also rejected claims a meeting had been sought between the Minister and Cabonne councillor Kevin Duffy.

Cr Duffy has been an outspoken critic of the plan to build a pipeline from Lake Canobolas as part of the water plan.

“Our office has not received a request to meet Cabonne councillor Kevin Duffy. However the Minister has met representatives from Cabonne several times this year and would be open to further meetings,” the spokesperson said.

Mayor John Davis said late yesterday he was pleased to hear the minister would meet with him to discuss the urgent need for government funding.

“We understand how busy the minister is this week but, yes, I am hoping to definitely have a meeting with Minister Rees early next week,” Cr Davis said.

Construction on the city’s stormwater harvesting scheme, Lake Canobolas pipeline, bore fields and Suma Park Dam wall safety works can not begin until the Minister approves a funding contribution.