THE Victorian Government's decision to register all new or altered stock and domestic dams on eight hectares or less is sure to make a few landholders nervous.

Many are likely to ask if registration and the imposition of an administrative fee is the thin end of a wedge that leads to higher charges and restrictions on building small dams.

It may well be that restrictions occur, but this should only apply to catchments where the evidence is clear.

So far that evidence is thin.

This has a lot to do with the fact the Government just doesn't know how many small dams are out there.

The unregulated construction of small dams in lifestyle developments in the Loddon and Campaspe catchments is already being blamed for reducing river flows to irrigators and towns.

But perhaps the Government should think about showing a little less stick and more carrot to solve the problem.

There are thousands of unused stock and domestic dams in Victoria that do nothing more than evaporate or seep water that would otherwise reach our waterways.

Why not offer to decommission or reduce the size of some of these small dams? Pulling the plug on a few of these unused dams isn't the ultimate solution, but it would help.

There is also an argument that small dam registration should be free to ensure the Government and rural water corporations get an accurate picture of what's happening.

It's evident Water Minister Tim Holding wants to set guidelines on what is a "reasonable" take when establishing a stock and domestic dam.

The guidelines will be based on the area of the property, local climate, reliability of local water supplies, stocking rates, household and fire protection needs.

This is not an unreasonable idea, given the number of large aesthetic dams being built on lifestyle properties.

The fact is that we are moving towards greater regulation of our most precious resource - water.

The argument that you have a right to build a dam on your property isn't holding much water any more.

If an irrigator wants more water, he or she has to go out and buy it. Town water authorities have to do the same.

So someone building a stock and domestic dam shouldn't get too hot under the collar about at least registering their dam.