NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam and NSW Leader of The Nationals and Shadow Minister for Water Utilities Andrew Stoner today announced a $1 billion Drought Proofing NSW Fund to begin drought-proofing NSW. 

"Water is the most critical challenge facing the people of NSW and I am determined to get started drought-proofing NSW immediately after the election," Mr Debnam said.

"I will declare a state of emergency on water on day one to cut through the bureaucracy and focus the full resources of government," he said.

"Morris Iemma has been softly-softly on water planning refusing to take action to address the crisis."  

Mr Stoner said with NSW in the grip of the worst drought in one hundred years, water is vital for the survival of rural and regional areas after 12 years of Labor neglect.

The NSW Liberal/Nationals Drought Proofing NSW Fund will provide funding for projects across NSW including:

• stormwater harvesting;

• large scale recycling;

• repair ageing infrastructure such as leaky pipes; and,

• dam enhancement.  

Mr Stoner said the funding for the Drought Proofing NSW Fund is in addition to existing expenditure and commitments on water, such as the doubling of the rainwater tank rebate.

"It's also in addition to the NSW Liberal/Nationals commitment to clear the backlog of the Country Towns Water Supply and Sewerage Program which has been chronically under-funded by Labor," Mr Stoner said.