Development of artificial watering points in the NSW rangelands has been so extensive that very few areas now lie outside the grazing range of domestic livestock (see Figure 6). This massive introduction of artificial water into a previously dry landscape is generally thought to have facilitated an increase in the density of some kangaroo species, particularly those which are commercially utilised, contributing to the total grazing pressure on native vegetation. Populations of feral goats have also no doubt been favoured by this development.

In a major study of biodiversity trends away from watering points in semi-arid and arid rangelands, Landsberg et al. (1997) showed that, for the several taxa studied, between 15 and 38% of species appeared to be ‘decreasers’ (i.e. their abundance declined with proximity to water), 10-33% appeared to be ‘increasers’ (whose abundance increased with proximity to water), while the remaining species exhibited no appreciable response. Transects were selected in relatively uniform country and extended for 10-12 km, the farthest sampling sites being beyond the grazing range of domestic livestock. No suitable site was identified for this study in western NSW due to the extensive water development noted above. These trends in species abundance do not necessarily reflect a response to grazing pressure alone but rather to the total influence of pastoral development. Nevertheless, it is clear that a substantial number of species are disadvantaged, though not necessarily threatened with extinction, by extensive water development. Thus, part of any program for improvement of biodiversity at landscape scale in western NSW will require the cessation of further water development, and attempts to de-water areas where feasible.

Part of this de-watering process could involve the replacement of permanent watering points, or open bore drains, with temporary or portable waters. This innovation can be seen as part of a process aimed at improved management of total grazing pressure and the regeneration of native pastures. It should therefore have positive long-term production benefits. Its benefits for biodiversity are uncertain but it might be expected that biodiversity per se would benefit with the general regeneration of native pastures.

Biograze (2008) is an approach to property planning that incorporates conservation of biodiversity within rangelands. Placement of water points and fencing is designed to allow a percentage of a paddock (water remote areas) to be retained for ‘decreaser’ species, disadvantaged by grazing without compromising profitability. For example, in a sheep grazing enterprise 10% of the total area is retained, but only 5% for cattle enterprises. These results were derived for Mitchell grasslands on the Barkly Tablelands for cattle enterprises, and from the Kingoonya region of South Australia for sheep enterprises. It is not clear if retention of the same proportions for grazing sensitive species would be sufficient to achieve a comparable level of conservation in western NSW, where chenopod shrublands and Mitchell grasslands vary in composition, or where unpalatable woody weed species occur. Nevertheless, the positioning of watering points will be of major importance in determining the distribution of grazing within paddocks (Hunt et al. 2007) and biodiversity outcomes (James et al. 1999).