Short answer: The NSW government moved to fast-track approvals for new dam construction as the drought emergency deepened across the state. Streamlined planning pathways aim to reduce red tape and enable landowners to build new water storage infrastructure more quickly. The initiative reflects growing recognition that on-farm water security is critical for agricultural resilience during prolonged dry periods.
Last updated: April 2026 | Author: Angus Hughson, Big Ditch Aquatecture
📋 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.
The Berejiklian administration’s contentious plans to sidestep environmental and planning rules in a bid to fast-track water facilities in drought-affected communities has been authorised by cabinet.
This enables Water Minister Melinda Pavey and Planning Minister Rob Stokes to reduce the need to carry out biodiversity studies – leaving planning decisions to WaterNSW.
WaterNSW said this could reduce project build time by 2 years.
WaterNSW said last month that by November 2019 – towns like Dubbo, Nyngan, Cobar and Tamworth could run out of human consumption water, according to a “worst scenario situation” forecast
However Environment Minister Matt Kean was against parts of the plan, and had lobbied Premier Gladys Berejiklian over making a variety of modifications to the new powers.
Planning Minister Rob Stokes recently said he would proclaim brand-new dam mega-projects “important state-significant facilities” in a bid to stop them from undergoing lengthy public consultation hearings.
Eco organisations are concerned about the loosening of these regulations.
Labor’s water spokesman Clayton Barr yesterday claimed he would believe “this project is progressing when we see a hole in the ground. The Nationals in NSW have failed to note cautions over several years. As communities run out of water, this government is now taken part in a mad shuffle,” he said.
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