Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly accompanied the Senator to the meeting to hear the Cooma-Monaro community's growing concerns over water flows and resource allocations for the Snowy, Murrumbidgee and Murray River systems.

Ahead of the meeting Senator Wong reiterated the proposal for a desalination plant along the coastline to pump water back into the Murrumbidgee and Snowy Rivers, as suggested by Nimmitabel resident Richard Lawson, would not be likely to go ahead.

"There are a range of ways to adjust to lower levels of water, one of the things we have to look at is the environmental outcomes of such a costly and energy intensive exercise (such as desalination)," Sen. Wong said.

The Snowy River is currently at about seven per cent of capacity and there are plans to increase that to a target of 21 per cent by 2012.

The government is proposing the buying back of water allocations along the rivers from irrigators to facilitate the flows.

"We are looking at trying to increase environmental flows by water purchases and investing in infrastructure," Sen. Wong said.

"If flows become available and if it is raining then the river gets a greater share," she said.

Dr Kelly said the visit was an opportunity for the senator to meet with the broader electorate to hear their concerns.

"It was an opportunity for Penny Wong to capture a regional picture, there was lots of thoughtful discussion," Dr Kelly said.

"We also explained what we're doing with water and national policy," he said.

The government has set aside $50 million to boost environmental flows.