ProTen needs to build the dams, which are expected to take three to four weeks and fill them with as much water as possible before the Peel River flow is shut off at the end of November, to get through the summer - otherwise it'll be forced to shut the farms down.

But first the DAs need to be approved, which on average takes TRC between 10 and 40 days to process.

TRC development manager Sam Lobsey said despite the time pressures facing ProTen, the same rules applied to all.

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"When development applications are lodged, council always aims to start processing them as quickly as we can," Mr Lobsey said.

"The same level of service is afforded to all - there is no preferential treatment and we work to be as time efficient as we can based on the specific circumstances for each development application we receive.

"ProTen is not the only business in the region having to react to the water situation and for those that still need to adhere to planning protocol, we are working with them to ensure their needs are met and businesses continue to operate."

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Mr Lobsey said council was "mindful of the urgency" for ProTen to secure a "continued supply of water to conduct business operations".

Council is undertaking a pilot scheme to fast-track residential development applications, however the ProTen DAs are not among those being accelerated though the scheme.

The Leader understands some earthworks have already begun on the dams, despite the DAs yet to get the green light.

However, TRC said it was permitted to undertake some preliminary earthworks as part of construction projects before a DA is approved.