NSW govt increases help for farmers

Financial aid for drought-affected farmers in northern NSW has been almost doubled by the state government, which is calling on the Commonwealth to also chip in.

A $7.6 million emergency package has been increased to $14.6 million on Wednesday and access to the aid has been extended to another 20 local government areas.

Claims can be backdated to January 1 and each producer can apply for up to $20,000 of transport assistance reimbursement and up to $30,000 emergency water infrastructure grants.

Western Lands lease payments, local land services rates and Wild Dog Destruction Board rates will be waived for a year.

"Despite our landholders being drought-prepared and on the front foot when it comes to maximising their properties' water storage, this extreme weather has delivered a real blow to their way of life," Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner said in a statement on Wednesday.

"While the NSW government has expanded its assistance measures, there is a clear need for the Commonwealth to now put forward a comprehensive package to assist primary producers to respond to this drought."

Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson said the severity and speed of the drought's spread was concerning.

"Farmers are in some cases being forced to drastically reduce stock numbers ... and have been forced to offload livestock at reduced prices to saleyards and abattoirs."

Added to the eligible areas for aid are Armidale, Bogan, Central Darling, Cobar, Coonamble, Gilgandra, Glen Innes, Gunnedah, Guyra, Gwydir, Inverell, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tamworth Regional, Tenterfield, Uralla, Walcha, Warren, Warrumbungle, Broken Hill and the far west unincorporated area.

The NSW opposition has welcomed the extra financial support but says it should have come earlier.

"Producers in the north should not have had to wait for the minister's Christmas break, for committees to trudge around the state and for the cabinet to finally make a decision," primary industries spokesman Steve Whan said in a statement.

About half the state is covered by the assistance package, but the NSW Farmers organisation believes about 60 per cent would be affected.

"What we don't want is another protracted process for getting measures approved if more areas move into drought," president Fiona Simson said.