The pipeline was suggested by NSW Office of Water's Matt Parmeter during the exhibition period of the Drought Management Plan.

Council's director technical services Stewart McLeod said following consideration of the submission, the Drought Management Plan was amended to include concepts that could be adopted for the design of a pipeline from Burrendong Dam to Dubbo's John Gilbert water treatment plant, should it ever be required.

"The construction of this pipeline is likely to cost in excess of $60 million and would provide water security in a very severe drought," he said.

"It would provide water security for Dubbo and towns along the route of the pipeline such as Wellington.

"In a severe drought, water piped to Dubbo could also be trucked to neighbouring towns."

Mr McLeod said the Burrendong to Dubbo pipeline would require regional or NSW government funding to construct it.

A submission was also made by Bernie Ward from Water NSW recommending that a pipeline should not be submitted as a preventative drought measurement measure.

The Drought Management Plan outlines the actions that would be taken if there was a drought, including the level of water restrictions and how areas such as parks, gardens and sporting fields would be maintained.

Alternatively, the Demand Management Plan is centered around monitoring demand, water demand forecasts and water conservation measures.

No submissions were made regarding the Demand Management Plan.

Council sources surface water from the Macquarie River and groundwater from seven bores south of Dubbo.

Water from these sources is connected to council's only water supply scheme which services the township of Dubbo and the villages of Brocklehurst, Wongarbon and Ballimore.