Sky-watching farmers in the Central West are being offered help in keeping their livestock alive as drought consumes their properties.
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The state government is offering them low-interest loans to help pay for the movement of fodder, water and stock.
The NSW Drought Transport Fund offers up to $20,000 in low-interest loans, with a two-year interest and repayment-free period.
Bathurst MP Paul Toole said many local farmers were doing it tough.
“On my recent travels throughout the electorate, I have seen first-hand the impacts that the dry conditions are having on our farmers and their families,” Mr Toole said.
“The costs of transporting fodder, water, or to move stock is crippling our farmers, as more than a quarter of the state is struggling with drought or conditions approaching it, with the Central West one of the hardest hit areas.”
Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair announced the new fund earlier this week and said more than a third of the state was “struggling with drought or conditions approaching drought”.
“My colleagues have expressed particular concern for the Hunter, Central Tablelands, Central West and in the Far West of the state,” he said.
“Primary production is the lifeblood of the communities in these regions and when farmers are struggling, the whole community feels the impact.”
The NSW Drought Transport Fund forms part of the NSW Drought Strategy, which includes the Farm Innovation Fund for on-farm infrastructure improvement and drought-preparedness work.
The Farm Innovation Fund has approved $54 million worth of low-interest loans for farmers this financial year and last month, farmers applied for $9 million in loans, representing one of the biggest monthly calls on the fund since it began in 2013.
