Water storages across the eastern states have hit their lowest mark in decades in recent months,with dams feeding both Melbourne and Sydney in need of heavy spring rains to head off further restrictions on urban households.
Water authorities have warned the downward trend in storages over the past five years reflects population-driven growth in demand and less water entering reservoirs. A changing climate,with longer drier periods,higher temperatures and drier soils have reduced stream flows into reservoirs.
"We know drought is a part of Australian life. This is about security,"Mr McCormack said.
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He said it was"too long"since a government last built a dam,which was at Split Rock near Tamworth in 1987. The new authority would take out state-based politics and insert a national-based approach to water security,he said.
Drawing inspiration from John Bradfield's ambitious 80-year-old water infrastructure plan,which proposed using a system of hydraulic dams,pumps and pipes to divert flood water from the coastal rivers of northern Queensland inland and across the Great Dividing Range,Mr McCormack will promise a"plan for the 21st century".
"The National Water Grid Authority will open up our huge national infrastructure funding effort to deliver real results. Our generation will be seen as the one which kicked in and delivered,"he said."I intend to be known as the Nationals’ leader who builds dams."