Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Dam Building Company
📋 Quick Answer
Australia faces recurring drought cycles, with inland NSW, QLD, and SA most severely affected. Farm dams are the most effective on-property drought response — providing water security independent of town supply or rainfall. Size your dam for 2–3 years of total water demand, build at maximum depth to minimise evaporation, and maintain at least 50% storage capacity heading into summer.
Key messages re: drought for 17th Sept 2019
- Rainfall is likely to be below average across most of the country for the remainder of 2019
(October to December) - An extended warm spell is expected during September, with weekly temperatures likely to be 2-3 degrees above average across
central and eastern Australia. - Significant rainfall is required to break the drought in northern NSW and initial losses of 100-
150mm can be expected before significant runoff will occur in most catchments. - The BoM’s outlook indicates for August to October remains drier than average.
Longer-term outlook:
Drier than normal end of the year likely for most of Australia
- Rainfall is likely to be below average across most of New South Wales during October to January.
- In the shorter term, the second half of September is likely to be drier than average across most of
the country. - October is showing particularly strong chances for almost all of mainland Australia of
being a drier than usual month.
After that, the state government allocated $50 millions to support water infrastructure initiatives.