MENINDEE Lakes advocate Darryn Clifton, from the Broken Hill, Menindee Lakes: We Want Action group, said they remained opposed to a bore water solution.
"We're worried the government still has no 'plan B' for the short-term," he said.
"They have discounted any other option, and it's concerning that they are going to spend all the money on short-term solutions, rather than better long-term ones.
"If the bore water plan goes ahead, they will have to set up infrastructure on the bed of Lake Menindee. If plenty of water does come down, all the money spent on that infrastructure will be wasted."
Mr Clifton was dubious about the timeline for the River Murray to Broken Hill pipeline long-term solution.
"It won't be even started to be built before the next term of Parliament because of all the processes involved," he said.
"That's why they should just extend the Anabranch pipeline - it would give us security straight away."
Mr Clifton said the group was advocating either a duplication of the Anabranch pipeline with a larger-diametre pipe - 375 millimetres or larger - or backing the proposal to run a pipeline up Pooncarie road to Menindee.
"Duplicating the Anabranch pipeline could give us anywhere between 5 and 10 megalitres a day, without having to interfere with the current customers on that pipeline," he said.
"Yes, it may cost a lot of money, particularly putting pumping stations in, but at least it would be a permanent quality water supply."
A spokesperson from the NSW Office of Water said the Anabranch pipeline had "limited prospects of supplying Broken Hill", but "duplication of the pipeline along the same route may be feasible".
Alisha Fogden
Cropping editor of Stock Journal.
Cropping editor of Stock Journal.
