Despite originally proposing Needles Gap, federal member for Calare John Cobb said he saw the downstream option of Cranky Rock, just north of Canowindra, as an acceptable and viable alternative.

“This dam is only a few kilometres downstream from the Needles Gap site and I am far from disappointed that Cranky Rock has been pinpointed as the best possible solution,” he said.

“I believe a dam of this magnitude will alleviate future droughts, improve agriculture and mining security and sustain their productivity as well as that of the central west LGAs and water users.”

NSW Greens water spokesman Jeremy Buckingham said the State Water report confirmed the party’s suspicions the Needles proposal was a “back of the beer coaster” dam.

“However, switching support for another new dam at Cranky Rock makes as little sense as Needles Gap did,” he said.

“NSW does not need new dams, we need smart local water solutions such as stormwater harvesting, increasing efficiency and recycling.”