Mayors call for more help for farmers as drought conditions intensify across Southern NSW.
While the recent announcement of $40 million in drought resilience funding was welcomed, local leaders say it falls short.
“Our farmers don’t need resilience training — they’ve been resilient for two and a half years,” Greater Hume Mayor Lea Parker said this week
“They don’t want handouts either. What they want is the confidence to reinvest in their businesses and to know that their government values their industry.”
Regional leaders from Greater Hume Council and Snowy Valleys Council have now escalated calls for urgent drought policy reform, seeking to take their message directly to NSW Premier Chris Minns without delay.
Mayors Lea Parker and Julia Ham (Snowy Valleys) recently met with Federal National Party Leader Hon David Littleproud MP to raise the alarm over the devastating impact of two failed springs and a looming bob-tail season.
This week, they met with Hon. Julie Collins MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, to continue building momentum for national drought recognition and reform.
They are now urging both NSW and Federal Governments to formally recognise drought as a natural disaster, unlocking emergency support and recovery measures.
“This is not just a dry spell — it’s a widespread crisis,” said Mayor Lea Parker.
“Our farmers are exhausted, financially strained, and emotionally broken. We need Premier Minns to hear directly from the communities bearing the brunt.”
Regional Leaders Are Calling For: Formal disaster recognition for drought, alongside floods and bushfires, Debt relief through RIC loans to enable reinvestment, Freight and fodder subsidies to ease immediate costs, Tax incentives for preparedness and long-term resilience During the 2018–2019 drought, the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) delivered over $3.26 billion in concessional loans to more than 3,000 farm and small businesses — helping producers manage cash flow, refinance debt, and survive prolonged dry conditions. Remarkably, the program cost the government just $1.655 million.
“RIC loans don’t just provide financial relief — they restore confidence,” Mayor Parker said. “They give farmers the breathing room to plan beyond the drought and invest in their future. They also support small businesses that rely on our rural ratepayers.”
The mayors also voiced concern over the Drought Hubs model, which has failed to deliver practical support to southern NSW communities. Funding has been concentrated in research and administration, while farmers continue to struggle.
With further meetings scheduled this week with Hon. Sussan Ley MP and Hon. Justin Clancy MP, regional leaders are building bipartisan momentum — but stress that state-level leadership is essential.
“We’re still hoping to get a seat at the table with Premier Minns,” said Mayor Parker.
“Our communities deserve to be heard — and helped.”
