A report about water security to last week's council meeting noted the incident.

It said that council had recently became aware, via an advertisement in the Western Advocate, of consideration by WNSW of an application to extract water through an additional pump, proposed to be located immediately above the river weir at the Bathurst Water Filtration Plant, to irrigate land downstream of the weir upon a separate land holding.

Council staff and councillors were both surprised that no notice was given.

"That has a huge impact on us, or could have. How come nobody actually discussed that with council?" deputy mayor Monica Morse asked.

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Acting director of Engineering Services, Russell Deans, said council would have preferred to be notified by WNSW, instead of finding out via the newspaper.

In response to Cr Morse's question, he said: "We can't speak for how other organisations work. We certainly would have preferred it if they had notified us first, but it was through the action of some of council's staff that this was brought to our attention and we've since had detailed discussions with the relevant people from WNSW to gain further information and we're seeking that response back in writing."

He went on to say it was the approach of WNSW, not so much the potential impact of a pump on the town water supply, that was of concern.

"Given the verbal details we've received we don't believe [it will have an impact], but it's more concerning about the principle of the matter and the approach of the department in not even talking to us before it's publicly advertised that adds to our concerns," he said.

The report indicated council had previously requested "consultation and input" in matters related to urban water needs, and the lack of consultation was evidence that more needed to be done.

It said that the policy framework could still result in negative impacts on the town water supply and the operation water filtration plant, and that the analysis of impacts is yet to be complete.

"This leaves council to put in a contingent submission pending the outcome of the analysis for this application and to inform council's position to WNSW in relation to further subsequent applications," the report said.

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