The shires of Brewarrina, Walgett, Bourke and Coonamble lobbied for assistance several months ago when decent rain had not fallen for more than two years.

Bourke shire was not successful, following rain in part of the shire.

Brewarrina, Walgett and Coonamble were each approved for allocations of $1.5 million for community infrastructure projects.

The shires were now required to submit additional applications for proposed works.

Walgett shire general manager Don Ramsland said plans were being drawn up for projects including the fencing of reserves, upgrading of black soil roads and footpath, kerb and guttering works in the towns of Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Collarenebri.

Walgett mayor David Lane said the southern the southern area of his shire had recently received reasonable falls of rain, with some places recording up to 70mm.

"The northern area of the shire received bugger all rain and is dire straits," he said.

"Most of the crops failed and there is no grazing. The situation is really bad and the majority of people have had no income for three years."

Bourke general manager Ross Earl said his shire was disappointed not to meet the criteria for Drought Communities Program funding.

He said a significant portion of the Bourke district was still feeling the impact of the extremely dry conditions.

"Rain received in the more fortunate areas was a long way from what is required to create substantial feed," Mr Earl said.

"The benefit of storm rain has been minimal, especially when falls were following by several days of high temperatures.

"Bourke shire is still looking for rain locally and in the Darling River catchment area for irrigation purposes."

Coonamble shire general manager Rick Warren said dry conditions had made things tough throughout the north-west region.

His council hoped to start Drought Communities Program infrastructure projects as soon as possible. Works to be put forward for federal government approval included improvements to the showground and sports grounds, community halls and grids on public roads.

At Brewarrina general manager Dan Simmons said proposed works included infrastructure at Brewarrina showground and the installation of exclusion fencing at Goodooga airport to provide protection against kangaroos.

"We have until 2019 to spend the money using local people who have been out of work due to drought and materials from local businesses," he said.

Mr Simmons said weather conditions improved in the Brewarrina shire around April. Good falls of rain had been received "but not in all areas".

"People in the north got a lot less rain," he said.

"Walgett didn't receive as much and Lightning Ridge remains an area of concern."

Mr Simmons said the agistment of stock had put income into the Brewarrina district economy very quickly.

"The growth of grasses after rain saw a lot of stock from Queensland flood into our area.

"Additional rain in the last few weeks will give the district another two or three months of agistment income."

Mr Simmons said about 8000 hectares of wheat was planted in the Brewarrina shire. Half the crops failed.

"People out here usually only grow wheat if they have a full moisture profile," he said.

"A couple of them who didn't have the moisture in the soil took a bit of a punt and got through it. They have probably recovered costs. They certainly haven't put anything in the bank."

Mr Simmons said during good seasons farming in western NSW was very successful but producers were accustomed to drought and flood.

"Our last flood in 2012 set the district up for a year and a bit," he said.

"Then we went back into drought. People tightened their spending and businesses have suffered.

"We tried to get government grants of up to $30,000 for businesses in four or five of our drought communities. The money would have been a big help but the idea didn't get approval.

"Businesses are hanging in and hoping for better times. Rain received in the last few weeks has made people feel more positive in the short term but we need rain to be ongoing through summer to set the region up for a good year in 2016."

Mr Simmons said visitation during the tourist season, from February to late October, had helped to keep things "ticking over" in Brewarrina.

"Visitors are mostly grey nomads who are attracted by our free camping ground," he said.

"They stay for two or three days to see the Aboriginal museum and fish traps and relax by the river."