Dubbo Catches asked the local member if he was in favor of a re-regulation project for the lower regulated Macquarie River.

"While the final business case is still being developed for the project, I believe any changes to how the river is run should make fish passage easier, while continuing to protect the ecology in and around the river," he said.

"We will only really know what the benefits and drawback of replacing the current weir are, once the final business case and the environmental impact statement are done.

"The government has engaged WaterNSW to undertake initial assessments into the feasibility of a new gated weir and fishway structure in the Macquarie River.

"I'm committed to improving the efficient use of water in the Macquarie, while protecting the health of the river's ecology."

Saunders was also quizzed on how many irrigation customers the project would benefit.

"The aim of the proposed weir is to catch water deliveries released from Burrendong Dam that are subsequently cancelled by the customer - generally because rainfall - and hold that water to future orders. The proposal is not for the weir to catch tributary flows downstream of Burrendong," he said.

"Reducing the water needed to be released from Burrendong Dam to supply towns, farmers, stock and domestic users and irrigators will mean in increase in overall water allocations - including environmental allocations - providing further benefit the Macquarie Marshes."

Another question put forward was about the community feedback and what it had been like so far.

"The government has been engaging with stakeholders, including representatives from local government, Local Aboriginal Land Councils and federal and state government agencies," Saunders said. "While I can't say what the feedback is like now across all groups, I'm confident we will have a good picture once the detailed business case and consultation has been finished, which is running as we speak."

The final question asked of Saunders related to whether or not he supported the decommissioning of the old Gin Gin weir.

"The future of the old weir is being considered as part of the overall business case for the proposed weir," he said.

"As I've said on the new weir, any changes to how the river is run should make fish passage easier, while continuing to protect the ecology in and around the river."