Deputy Premier, Andrew Stoner and Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson allocated $7.6 million to the emergency support measures for Bourke, Brewarrina and Walgett local government areas. 

The package includes up to $20,000 per producer in the form of a Transport Assistance Reimbursement, backdated to July 1, 2014, up to $30,000 per producer for Emergency Water Infrastructure Grants, which the Commonwealth Government has indicated it will match. 

The NSW Government also allocated additional funding for the Rural Support Worker Program and a drought incident coordinator, the waiving of Western Lands Lease Payments, the waiving of Wild Dog Destruction Board rates and Transport Subsidies for Animal Welfare, focused on stock going to sale or slaughter where there is significant risk to animal welfare, which will remain while drought conditions persist. 

The NSW Farmers' tweeted they were pleased with the new round of funding.

Mr Stoner said the package of assistance package, which follows drought preparedness and in-drought support measures announced on October 30, is recognition of the plight many landholders in North West NSW currently face.

"Landholders and communities in North West NSW are currently dealing with extraordinarily difficult circumstances," Mr Stoner said.

"While the NSW Government is moving towards preparing farmers for drought rather than providing in-drought crisis support, there is currently a critical need to provide immediate assistance." 

Ms Hodgkinson said the package brings NSW into line with assistance provided in drought-stricken areas of Queensland and is in addition the assistance measures announced on October 30,2013. 

The earlier measures include a new $20 million Farm Innovation Fund, to provide primary producers with loans at concessional interest rates for in-drought and drought preparedness measures; $4.4 million to fund phase three of the popular Cap and Pipe the Bores Program. 

As well as the deferral of Special Conservation Scheme and Natural Disaster loans by the Rural Assistance Authority on a case-by-case basis and deferral of Livestock Health and Pest Authority rates for producers in the Brewarrina, Walgett and Bourke local government areas.

Ms Hodgkinson said many of the producers in North West NSW have prepared to the best extent possible. 

"However this scenario clearly illustrates that no matter how well producers may prepare for drought, it is impossible to completely drought-proof a property," Ms Hodgkinson said.

 "Primary production is critical to these communities and the NS Government recognises that helping farmers will assist to preserve the social and economic fabric of the community at large." 

"I have been acutely aware of the situation facing primary producers and rural communities in North West NSW and have worked as quickly as possible to develop a package of preparedness and in-drought support measures," Ms Hodgkinson said.

Regional Assistance Advisory Committee Chair David Palmer said the committee will continue to monitor the seasonal conditions across NSW and will provide feedback and advice to the NSW Government as required.