should the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) determine that the cost be passed on, as the last of 22,000 pipe sections are laid today.                          

The NSW Government had provided certainty of supply of water for the Broken Hill community and is now providing certainty of pricing, ensuring any determination from the IPART to pass on extra costs will be absorbed by the Government.

The Wentworth to Broken Hill pipeline is the crucial link in securing a clean supply of water to Broken Hill, in perpetuity.

This announcement to cap water prices will ensure that families and residents in Broken Hill pay a fair amount for the water they use.

People in regional NSW want to know that when times are tough we have their back.

That is why we are building a pipeline to deliver clean water to Broken Hill and that is why we are making sure that water is affordable, unlike Labor which simply walked away in Broken Hill when things got tough.

We are delivering on a 2015 commitment to the people of Broken Hill that their town would be drought-proofed.

The NSW Government subsidy will cover the period of the IPART 2019-2020 to 2022-23 price reviews for the WaterNSW Murray River to Broken Hill pipeline due for public release in May 2019.  

I welcome the recent rain conditions but reminded farmers not to self-assess and to contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority for help.

It's wonderful to be under grey skies and see the water on the roads, paddocks and pavements around parts of the Barwon electorate; however I am aware that this does not change the drought situation.

It's important that farmers understand that I have been watching the situation across the electorate and all the support which the NSW Government has put in place is still very much available.

The NSW Government Drought Assistance Package is providing $1.1 billion worth of support which remains available and we are now making it easier for farmers and their families to access the Drought Transport Subsidies and the Drought Assistance Fund by relaxing the gross off-farm asset test.

The current criteria is being lifted from a $1 million off-farm assets to $5 million, which means more farmers will now be eligible to access drought assistance. 

I understand that crops are beginning to fail and that some canola crops are being cut for hay, while some cereal crop regions may be able to harvest grain. However, with increasing temperatures and lack of rain, this may deteriorate quickly.

In July a $500 million NSW Emergency Drought Relief Package was announced which includes $190 million for Drought Transport Subsidies, $100 million for cutting the cost of farming fees and charges, and $150 million to bolster the Farm Innovation Fund infrastructure program.

Farmers in the electorate can now visit their Local LLS office for assistance with preparing and submitting their applications for drought support.

Additionally, the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) is now open until 10 pm weeknights, allowing farmers who have been out in the paddocks all day a greater opportunity to seek support (RAA can be contacted on 1800 678 593)

All of these are still in place and will remain so - the NSW Government is standing by farmers until such time that the drought is declared at an end.

I strongly encourage any primary producers to look at the range of support available to them and apply.

For more information visit www.kevinhumphries.com.au.