The meeting follows a briefing to councillors on the region's current water storage levels, water restrictions and future water supply.

The area's combined available water levels is down to just 39.2%. The trigger for Level 4 'severe' water restrictions is 35%.

Residents can attend the meeting and make application to address an agenda item.

Mayor Peta Pinson said that water security and supply are of the highest priority for Council.

"The extended drought conditions, limited rainfall and impact of the bushfires has seen the combined water levels in our two storage dams reduce to 39.2%, with this level quickly approaching the 35% trigger level for level 4 'severe' water restrictions," she said.

"Whilst our community have generally being doing a good job to conserve water, this is a serious situation and it is now appropriate for council to give consideration to moving to level 4, with water restrictions being the single topic of discussion at the extraordinary meeting."

Figures from the Bureau of Meteorology indicate that in 2019 Port Macquarie experienced its lowest annual rainfall figure since the 1870s.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said she was aware of community concerns about council not going to tighter restrictions earlier.

However, she said that less than 24 hours after council called the extraordinary meeting, the area received its best rainfall in several months with reports of good falls ranging from Mt Seaview down to the coast.

"I've already got nearly 50mm in my rain gauge in just three hours on one afternoon," she said.

"And the rain is still falling steadily which is fantastic.

"Council will still meet next Wednesday to consider the position in view of received rain and the Bureau's long range forecasts, plus the condition of the river and whether the flow is clean enough to be pumped."

Cr Intemann said she had received second-hand reports of torrential rain throughout Friday on the upper catchment.

While this was good news for the area, unfortunately there were several landslides of soil and ash which could mean council has to delay pumping for days or weeks until the flow clears.

"It will be great if we can avoid Level 4 restrictions, and right now I've got my hopes up.

"The decision next week will take all the factors into consideration, including any rain we might still get in the meantime," she said.

Residents are welcome to attend the Wednesday's meeting however there will be no public forum for items not on the agenda as would normally occur at an ordinary meeting of council.

Residents can be considered to speak on the agenda Item, and must complete the appropriate form to register a request to speak.

All requests to speak must be received by council no later than 4:30pm on Tuesday January 21.

Forms are available at www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/agenda with hard copies also available from Council Customer Service Centre's in Port Macquarie, Laurieton and Wauchope.

Residents can also phone 6581 8111 and a customer service assistant can complete the form over the phone.

Wednesday's extraordinary council meeting is at the council chambers, Burrawan Street. It starts at 5.30pm.

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