A visit to drought affected areas in the state's north west has revealed to NSW Premier Mike Baird just how desperate the situation is and it hoped it may lead to more assistance for farmers from the state government.
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Mr Baird and Agriculture Minister Katrina Hodgkinson were invited by the NSW Farmers Association to fly out to Weilmoringle, near Brewarrina, on the Queensland border and talk to farmers and their families, as well as see first hand the devastation the drought has caused.
NSW Farmers president Fiona Simson said farmers in the north west feel they have been abandoned by all levels of government but she hopes the visit has encouraged the Premier to find additional funding to help farmers.
"There is a genuine feeling from farmers that the state government has walked away from them. There is no transport subsidies, no more water infrastructure and the assistance that is available from the federal government isn't much better," Ms Simson said.
Lightning Ridge farmer Robert Turnbull is pleading with the Australian government to reconsider its stance on drought assistance to ensure farmers in Walgett, Bourke, Lightning Ridge and Brewarrina are given a chance.
The limited assistance that is being provided is proving to be slow to make it to those in need but for most it is completely useless anyway.
Mr Turnbull said the time will come when the region is viable again but he fears many farmers won't last to that point without some meaningful assistance from government.
"It's costing between $1500 and $2000 in cotton seed every day to keep our ewes going. You feed them and they are just as hungry the next day," he said.
"We've sold 15,000 sheep, I sold half my cattle and sent two other lots away on agistment. The value of the calves I sold recently hasn't even covered the cost of the agistment and I have no idea how much longer they will be there.”
"Basically, I have cut my cattle numbers in half and yet haven't made a dollar," Mr Turnbull said.
Premier Baird said the government is keeping a close eye on the situation and will use the information gathered on the trip to respond to the issue.
"Flying over the New England and the North West has given me a clear and alarming picture of just how tough conditions are across the State," Mr Baird said.
