Speaking at the fifth hearing of the NSW State Government's inquiry into the rationale for, and impacts of, new dams and other water infrastructure in NSW on February 10, Cr Tom Kennedy said while infrastructure improvements could improve "society outcomes" they would "have unwanted effects in the lower river communities".

"The Wyangala Dam increase, for instance, at some point in time will have a similar effect on the Lower Lachlan and Murrumbidgee River as the Darling River has experienced from increased storages on its tributaries," he said.

"It will affect wildlife and communities, and I hope that the Broken Hill City Council presentation helps the members of the inquiry understand this."

The inquiry was told by Cr Kennedy that drying along the Darling River and Menindee Lakes had "resulted in mental health issues, domestic violence, drug and alcohol use and suicide, at its worst".

"Any dams up north are going to have an effect on (river) connectivity," he said.

"The New South Wales Government has more or less said that the dams will increase connectivity.

"I am sure that the dams will be a significant improvement to some up north. But the reality is, to the lower communities, it has a significant effect every time water is taken out of the system to be stored in a dam.

"I can see it is going to happen to other lower river communities as these dams continue to grow all over the upper northern reaches of New South Wales.

"We are not anti the northern basin or those things. A lot of the time, they are family businesses that have always have flood plain irrigation. But they have never taken the vast majorities that are being taken now."

Evidence was also given by Wentworth-based water advocate Jane MacAllister, Tolarno Station's Rob McBride, vice-president of the Darling River Action Group Darryn Clifton and Barkindji Native Title Board chief executive officer Derek Hardman.

Most speakers told the inquiry that they disagreed with the Menindee Lakes proposed water savings project being implemented in any format, Mr McBride asking "how do you save water from an empty river bed?"