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.

Member for Orange Phil Donato said the low-interest loans are better than nothing but would add more pressure to farmers and graziers.

“There should be more drought relief funding, it shouldn’t be a low interest loan,” Mr Donato said.

“I’m hearing stories that it’s getting very concerning, it’s obviously very dry and now property owners are feeling the pinch and have to hand feed their stock.

“Coming into autumn and winter, if we don’t get any rain it is going to be a problem.”

Mr Donato said he wanted to see legislated drought assistance, which would be reviewed by parliament every five years.

Minister for Primary Industries 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.

The Bureau of Meteorology has declared the first three months of 2018 the driest first quarter since 1986 in parts of the Central West.

Orange received 99 millimetres (mm) so far this year, well below average rainfall for the period of 255.6mm.