Along with many local friends and acquaintances, I agree that action needs to be taken urgently to increase the capacity and reliability of Orange's water supply.

As a city famous for it's cool climate parks and gardens and with an increasing population, it is a great failure by Orange City Council that we have water restrictions on a nearly permanent basis, even in a wet La Nina period.

In late 2020 I asked one of the prominent, long-term councillors if anything was planned to upgrade our water supply in view of the long-standing water restrictions while council continues to approve major new housing developments.

Despite my question being expressed in polite and respectful terms, I was told that I didn't know what I was talking about and that we just have to live with water restrictions.

However as a retired civil engineer with a comprehensive knowledge of the current water supply, I agree with Mr File's belief that council needs to urgently undertake works to ensure that additional water is pumped from Wyangala Dam and Macquarie River.

Mr Fife's proposal to use solar and/or wind turbine power for this pumping seems most attractive.

Now seems the ideal time to urgently initiate such works as both the federal and NSW governments are currently funding large infrastructure projects in response to the COVID-induced financial and employment situation, as well as in a time of continuing climate change.

John Hoffman