Joyce to hold talks over new dams

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce will hold talks with industry on the viability of dozens of new dams earmarked for potential development across the country.

More than 80 stakeholders - including investors, irrigators, construction firms, mining and power industry representatives and state and territory officials - will convene in Canberra for the hour-long national water infrastructure roundtable on Wednesday.

Senator Joyce will hold a news conference with attendees on the outcome of the talks immediately afterwards.

The federal government has identified 27 potential sites for water infrastructure projects in its Agricultural Competitiveness green paper.

While the idea has been welcomed as a potential fix for drought-hit parts of northern Australia, there are some concerns landholders will have to make way for construction.