Peel River weirs: Tamworth Regional Council will contract HunterH20 and SMEC for a feasibility study into weirs at the Peel River

Community member Peter Gill addressed the council on Tuesday night to suggest a series of weirs might be considered in a number of locations.

The council agreed enough to change its motion to do just that.

HunterH20 and SMEC will undertake a high-level investigation to see how and if weirs would work across the Peel River to improve the town's water security.

Councillor Juanita Wilson said the idea just makes sense.

"This is one of those items that really is exciting because it's a new era, although the proposal probably has been on the agenda for about 30 years or more," she said.

"I do agree with the community consultation that a series of weirs should be considered.

"I can envisage water in the centre of the town giving it new life, it's exciting to think about but particularly valuable with the opportunity to be more water sustainable and keep the drift wells flowing."

After a horrific and relentless drought, Tamworth Regional Council is on the offense and has made proactive moves to investigate future options to stretch the water supply as far as possible.

It has already looked into storm water harvesting, the drought management plan and revisions, constructions of a 120ML storage at Calala Water Treatment Plant, using bore water at the city's green spaces and the recent engagement of a consultant to investigate fractured rock groundwater as a potential water supply.

Councillor Russell Webb said consideration of a range of things is needed to keep the city drought-proofed.

"First of all the city has to be cleaned out, it's an absolute mess at the moment," he said.

"The benefits of having weirs or a weir is it will provide a great backdrop to Bicentennial Park and the regional playground; make it more attractive for visitors and the people who live here who go down to the park.

"The most beneficial reason is what it will actually do to increase water security for the city."

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Cr Webb said he expected some push back from the state government that the council is "holding back water".

"There will be an argument we are holding back water which in my mind is invalid, once that weir is full nothing changes, the amount of water will come down regardless - one high flow will solve any arguments that we are taking water out of the river," he said.

The idea for a weir first cropped up in 2002 but at the time, funds from the state or federal government weren't forthcoming.

Cr Mark Rodda agreed there could be some push back from the NSW Department of Primary Industries.

The motion was carried unanimously.