A leader of desperately-dry north-west NSW has welcomed Labor's pledge to reintroduce drought declarations, but says her community needs pre-election promises to be delivered.
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Walgett Shire deputy mayor Jane Keir yesterday said her community was facing its third year without a crop and some businesses were "ready to walk away and close their doors".
She welcomed measures in Labor's policy, saying it was "fine in print" but said the question was if the party would deliver.
And she said despite the area being a traditionally Nationals voting area, it could perhaps "make a statement" at the March poll.
Opposition leader Luke Foley announced a number of measures during a tour of drought-affected communities in north-west NSW at the weekend, which saw him meet with farmers from the Lightning Ridge district.
It came after Premier Mike Baird, Deputy Premier and Dubbo MP Troy Grant and primary industries minister Katrina Hodgkinson had announced a $300 million drought policy on Tuesday.
Under the plan announced by Mr Foley, Labor would reintroduce stock and fodder subsidies and transport subsidies of up to 50 per cent for farmers who were affected by drought of nine months or more.
It would also reintroduce drought declarations, commit $1.5 million to double the number of rural support workers, commit to the $20 million extension of funding announced for water infrastructure grants and lobby the federal government to relax eligibility criteria for income support.
"I've travelled to these drought-affected farming communities to see firsthand what the conditions are like - and more importantly to hear firsthand how government can help these farmers in times of need," Mr Foley said.
"A NSW Labor government will implement a strong plan to give farmers the resources and the financial assistance they need."
Cr Keir said the Walgett Shire had been in drought since July 2012 and was facing its third year without a crop. "The reintroduction of freight and fodder subsidies will make a difference but the real benefit would be the reintroduction of drought declarations . . ." she said.
"Relaxing the eligibility criteria for income support would also be a tremendous help particularly if small businesses reliant on agriculture in a drought-declared area were included.
"There are businesses out here ready to walk away and close their doors and have not received any assistance from the government to date.
"The Labor policy is fine in print, just like a pre-election promise that we have all seen before, the question is will they deliver."
