Two weeks after the Southern NSW Drought Summit, the Honourable Ron Hoenig, Minister for Local Government and Leader of the House paid a visit to Greater Hume Council to discuss immediate financial and practical support for farmers and local producers in regional NSW. Greater Hume Council Mayor, Cr Lea Parker provided Minister Hoenig with a tour highlighting the effects of the current drought within the Greater Hume Region.
Meeting with local farmers and producers and discussing the first-hand effects of the current drought conditions were an important aspect of the tour for Cr Parker.
“With 49 per cent of NSW now affected by drought even our most resilient producers are reaching breaking point.” Cr Parker stated.
“The NSW Government need to see the real-time effects of this drought.”
During the visit, Greater Hume Councillors and Executive Staff discussed outcomes from the recent Drought Summit, including emergency feed and water relief, support for restocking and debt management, and long-term resilience strategies.
They also advocated for the establishment of a NSW Governmentled, producer-informed Drought Task Force.
Minister Hoenig acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that even seasoned farmers—many with nearly a century of experience—had never faced conditions this extreme.
“These are people who’ve been farming cattle and sheep for generations,” he said.
“They’ve weathered drought after drought, yet they’ve never been in a position like this. And they’re not asking for handouts—they’re asking for understanding and support.”
Cr Parker said the Minister’s visit was deeply validating for the community.
“He really validated what we’ve been trying to say to the government for such a long time,” she said.
“I think he realised that we’re not just a pack of whinging farmers down in the southern part of the state— we really need to be acknowledged that we are struggling.”
She also introduced the concept of a green drought, which the Minister had not previously encountered.
A green drought is a deceptively harsh phase where landscapes appear lush and green due to recent rainfall, but underlying soil moisture remains critically low.
It’s a visual illusion—grass may sprout, paddocks may look healthy, but the reality for farmers is far from it. “That’s really concerning, that was the messaging,” Cr Parker added.
“If we don’t get rain within the next three weeks, we’re facing a third consecutive failed spring—a crisis of unprecedented magnitude.” Minister Hoenig also warned that the drought’s impact would soon be felt by consumers across the state.
“People in Sydney are not going to be able to get the meat they want or are going to pay through the nose,” he said.
“It’s going to be the result of the real tragedy that’s occurring right here in this part of the Riverina.” Although drought response is not typically within his portfolio, Minister Hoenig travelled to the region on behalf of Premier Chris Minns and committed to providing direct feedback to the NSW Government based on conversations with council staff and farmers. Greater Hume Council will continue to advocate and communicate with Minister Hoenig to ensure that appropriate and immediate action is undertaken.
“We feel very privileged to have had the Minister visit our area and offer his time to hear directly from our community,” said Cr Parker.
Council will continue to ensure our residents, producers and farmers are kept informed on developments between Council and the NSW Governments in relation to drought assistance.
