According to presentations made by Dubbo City Council and the Department of Public Works at the two-day conference, without the weir to secure the city's water supply during decade-long droughts mass evacuation of thousands of residents would remain the only option.

The main outcomes of the safety upgrade discussed by participants included preventing people drowning because of the weir and increasing safe recreational use to the water surrounding the structure.

The group at the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club workshop included representatives from Dubbo City Council, Department of Primary Industries, Public Works, Inland Waterways Rejuvenation Association, RiverSmart and the family members of drowning victims of the South Dubbo weir.

During the morning of the conference family members advocated for the structure's removal to secure the safety of community members suggesting council could educate residents to cut down on water use and restrictions sooner in dry times.

Dubbo City Council technical services director Stewart McLeod explained the Burrendong Dam has been almost empty three times in the last 15 years and the weir was needed to secure the water supply of the city.

"We need to plan for droughts of record," he said. "Once Burrendong Dam has released its last drop we are relying on what comes down the river to us."

"With a town the size of Dubbo it would not be possible to send water in by train or truck."

A preferred safety upgrade option was presented at the VMS for discussion by Department of Public Works river structures engineer Heath Robinson outlined a plan to use large rocks to fill the fall of the weir.

The plan would prevent the dangerous water currents of the weir from potentially drowning more people and would most likely include a fishway.

"It can be constructed in the dry and there is potential to do it in the wet," Mr Robinson said.