Southern NSW Drought Summit

The Mayors of Greater Hume and Snowy Valleys Councils will take their fight for urgent drought support directly to State and Federal Agriculture Ministers, Shadow Ministers, and key regional leaders following growing concern over worsening conditions across Southern NSW.

This advocacy follows the highly attended Southern NSW Drought Summit, held on 4 August 2025, which brought together 474 participants, including farmers, agribusinesses, mental health professionals, community leaders, and seven Members of Parliament. The Summit delivered a clear and united message: communities need immediate, practical support—not more talk.

“The message from our Summit was crystal clear,” said Cr Lea Parker, Mayor of Greater Hume. “Farmers and communities are exhausted. They don’t need more ‘resilience programs’—they need direct support to survive this drought: freight and fodder subsidies, emergency grants, debt relief, and recognition of drought as a natural disaster.”

Cr Julia Ham, Mayor of Snowy Valleys, reinforced the message:

“Our farmers are already resilient. They’ve endured two failed springs and are doing everything they can to hold on. What they need now is not more training or theory—but urgent, practical help.”

The Mayors will press for action on key concerns, including:

• 50% of NSW now drought-affected, with 18+ months of rainfall deficits
• The risk of a third failed spring, which could devastate breeding herds, pastures, and community wellbeing
• The growing mental health and financial toll, including two recent farmer suicides in Holbrook
• Funding inequity: Victoria ($144m) and South Australia ($73.4m) have committed direct drought support, while NSW farmers remain without equivalent assistance
• Ineffectiveness of current services, with Local Land Services and Drought Hubs seen as offering tokenistic activities, not real support.

The Mayors acknowledged the $43 million in funding for the Farm Business Resilience Program, jointly announced today by the NSW and Federal Governments at the Bush Summit in Wagga Wagga, but say it misses the mark for farmers in immediate distress.

“We’re not dismissing the value of long-term planning,” said Cr Parker. “But when farmers are choosing between buying feed or paying bills, a resilience workshop in six months’ time won’t help them today. They’ve already proved how resilient they are—what they need now is financial relief.”

“Farmers don’t need business coaching and workshops right now—they need real, on-the-ground support that puts fodder in paddocks, fuel in tractors, and confidence back into our communities.”

The Mayors are calling for the immediate establishment of a Government-led, Producer-Informed Drought Taskforce to:

• Coordinate drought relief efforts
• Oversee recovery programs
• Restore confidence among farmers that government is listening and responding

“This is about leadership and accountability,” said Cr Parker. “Farmers are working day and night to keep stock alive, spending millions on feed, and watching their communities unravel. It is time for governments to step up. We will keep advocating until they do.”

Following on from the Southern NSW Drought Summit held 4 August 2025, Greater Hume Council will host the Hon. Minister Hoenig, Minister for Local Government and Leader of the House, this Thursday as part of a regional visit to assess the devastating impact of ongoing drought conditions across southern New South Wales.

Minister Hoenig will meet with Mayor Lea Parker and local representatives to gain a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing Greater Hume’s farmers, businesses, and residents. The visit will include on-farm visits aimed at informing future government support and relief measures.

Mayor Parker expressed gratitude for the Minister’s visit, calling it a vital opportunity for the region.

“We feel very privileged to have the Minister visiting our Shire and offering his time to hear directly from our community,” said the Mayor. “Our region has been doing it tough, and this visit is a chance to show the real impact of the drought and advocate for the support we urgently need.”

Greater Hume Council along with other Councils in Southern NSW has endured two consecutive failed springs, resulting in significant stress on local agriculture and rural livelihoods which flows into our towns. The region has had significantly depleted rainfall which has severely impacted pasture growth, crop yields, and farm productivity. Livestock producers are facing mounting feed costs, and many families are grappling with the emotional and financial strain of prolonged dry conditions. Council continues to work with state agencies and community groups to support recovery and build long-term resilience.

Minister Hoenig’s visit reflects the NSW Government’s commitment to listening to rural communities and tailoring its response to local needs. The Minister will engage directly with affected stakeholders and explore how state resources can be better deployed to support recovery.

Key Themes and Recommendations from the Southern NSW Drought Summit

1. The Limits of Resilience

- Even well-prepared producers are overwhelmed by the compounding impacts of prolonged drought.
- Drought conditions have outpaced preparedness measures, leading to emotional and financial strain.
- The emotional toll of watching livestock deteriorate, rising input costs, and constant uncertainty are unsustainable.

2. Inequity in Support Access

- NSW producers face disadvantage compared to producers in states with active subsidies.
- Competition for limited fodder and inflated prices are worsened by policy differences.
- Limited access to direct financial support is leaving producers exposed and unsupported.

3. Mental Health and Community Strain

- Chronic stress and fatigue are impacting the wellbeing of producers, families, and rural communities.
- Suicide risk, anxiety, and emotional fatigue are rising.
- Drought stress reaches beyond farms—impacting schools, sports, health services, and community cohesion.

4. Policy Disconnect and Implementation Fatigue

- There is growing frustration with rhetoric, delays, and lack of action.
- Drought is no longer declared a natural disaster—this is delaying response and reducing support.
- Farmers report feeling unheard and unsupported by government at all levels.

5. Environmental Pressures

- Feral animals and weed incursions are escalating due to feed imports and unmanaged neighbouring lands.
- Pasture loss, fence damage, and uncontrolled grazing from kangaroos and goats are worsening land degradation.

6. Infrastructure and Financial Constraints

- Poor road infrastructure is restricting fodder access and increasing freight costs.
- Eligibility criteria for support don’t reflect the asset-rich, cash-poor reality of many producers.
- Farmers are being driven deeper into debt to maintain core herds.

7. Drought as a National Emergency

- There is overwhelming support for reinstating drought as a recognised natural disaster.
- Drought is a whole-of-community emergency, not just a farm problem.

Recommendations

1. Establish a NSW Government-Led, Producer-Informed Drought Taskforce

- To oversee the implementation of the recommendations below
- Ensure decisions are informed by local intelligence and lived experience
- Coordinate actions across state, federal, local government, and industry
- Monitor, report and drive accountability for outcomes

2. Reinstate Drought as a Natural Disaster

- Reform the National Drought Agreement to reclassify drought
- Enable access to timely disaster relief and cross-jurisdictional consistency

3. Provide Immediate Financial Relief

- Introduce freight and fodder subsidies
- Waive or defer LLS rates
- Offer direct financial assistance for water and feed access

4. Strengthen Mental Health and Rural Support Services

- Expand RFCS and RAMHP funding
- Prioritise access to one-on-one support for producers in distress
- Restore confidence in long-term service delivery

5. Fund Recovery and Resilience

- Support restocking, pasture rehabilitation, and fencing recovery
- Create regional feed reserves
- Invest in preparedness tools and reward proactive producers

6. Improve Infrastructure and Logistics

- Fund road repairs to support freight access
- Enable improved B-double access to remote farms
- Assist local councils with drought logistics demands

Regional farming leaders made an urgent appeal to government ministers at the Southern NSW Drought Summit on Monday, 4 August, calling for immediate financial and practical support as worsening drought conditions continue to impact farmers across Southern New South Wales.

The summit brought together government representatives - including NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty and seven members of the NSW Parliament - alongside local farmers, agronomists, rural support services, and Mayors from Greater Hume, Snowy Valleys, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Wagga Wagga City and Yass Valley, all drought-affected regions across southern NSW, to develop a coordinated drought response.

Farmers spoke passionately about the growing toll of fodder and water shortages, record-high freight costs, and widespread pasture loss - not just on their livestock and livelihoods, but also on their mental health and family wellbeing.

Lea Parker, Mayor Greater Hume Council said:

“With 49% of NSW now affected by drought even our most resilient producers are reaching breaking point. This summit highlighted that NSW farmers are being left behind compared to other states offering direct drought subsidies, and the mental health of our communities is deteriorating under the pressure. There is a clear disconnect between government policy and on-ground reality.”

In a video screened at the event, Holbrook sheep farmer Phillip Locke detailed the crippling costs of feeding livestock:

“Because of the two years of drought, we had no harvest and we've been buying in thousands of tonnes of grain. That's a huge expense – two big B-double semi-loads of grain coming in every week.”

Watch the video

Meanwhile, Gerogery farmer Mr Dwerryhouse shared his frustration online:

“I’m haemorrhaging money due to a green drought. It’s every bit as bad here as what it ever has been in western Victoria.

No one really understands that we're in drought, except for those absolutely involved in it – because it’s green. Everyone else thinks ‘oh yeah, it’s not too bad’.

I’ve been through eight droughts, a flood and a bushfire, and this one – going 18 months without rain – is virtually unprecedented.”

Mayor Parker presented the Key Actions from the Drought Summit, summarising:

“This summit called for drought to once again be recognised as a natural disaster, and we’re calling on the Government to support a coordinated, three-phase plan - one that delivers immediate relief of emergency feed and water, supports medium-term recovery of restocking, debt-management and supply chain issues; and invests in long-term drought resilience for our farming communities - such as breeding herd restocking and policy reform.

A key outcome of the summit was the proposal to establish a NSW Government-led, producer-informed Drought Taskforce, to oversee implementation of the summit’s recommendations. The taskforce would bring together local farmers and producers, rural support services, and government agencies to ensure that policy and action reflect on-the-ground realities.

The Summit outlined a clear roadmap for action, including:

• Immediate financial relief through freight and fodder subsidies, emergency grants, and Local Land Services (LLS) waivers;
• Targeted recovery programs to support restocking, pasture regeneration, business support and mental health services; and
• Long-term reform of the National Drought Agreement to recognise drought as a natural disaster and incentivise resilience through tax incentives and on-farm preparedness measures.

Mary Hoodless, Director of Karoo Consultancy and facilitator of the Drought Summit, said:

“There is no time to wait. We are calling on Government to establish the Taskforce, reclassify drought as a natural disaster, provide targeted financial relief, and reform of outdated support frameworks to reflect modern farming and community needs. Without action, we risk the collapse of local industries, rural communities, and food production capacity.

“The recovery from drought is painfully slow and precarious”, she continued. “A failed spring would be catastrophic, further delaying the replenishment of critical fodder reserves and compounding already severe financial and mental health strain. Producers face the brutal combination of soaring input costs, potential declines in commodity prices, and the emotional toll of rebuilding with no guarantee of stability.   

She concluded:

“The Summit made one thing clear: producers have done all they can. The current drought has exposed systemic gaps in how we support rural communities before, during and after drought. Government leadership is now essential. Support must be timely, coordinated and practical - and rooted in the experience of those on the land.”

If you are doing it tough and any of the issues surrounding drought are affecting you, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can reach out to your local Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) ambassador for support at RAMPH, or contact Mental Health Line on  1800 011 11.

For a full list of support services visit the Mental Health Line.