Former long-serving councillor Trevor Jaeger is one of several people who have suggested a long-term solution to Newcrest Mining's woes may lie in the Lucknow shafts where the rising water table ended mining in the 1930s.

Mr Jaeger said he wanted attention drawn to the possible use of the disused mine, in which his grandfather and great-grandfather had worked.

"When this mine flooded, it seemed to be part of an incredible body of water," he said yesterday. "It wouldn't be drinkable water but if the mine wants it just for production, it could be just the thing they need to get back on their feet."

The main dam at Cadia Hill has fallen to just seven per cent capacity and the company has requested a daily allocation of up to six extra megalitres to keep gold and copper production going.