DROUGHT-ravaged farmers say a new government website will give little comfort to communities devastated by worsening conditions.
Last week Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair trumpeted the arrival of the DroughtHub information portal and NSW Drought Framework flowchart as a one-stop destination for farmers to access drought support and information.
But Walgett Shire Council deputy mayor Jane Keir said the new internet resource was of little use to locals who were struggling to get back on their feet.
“The last thing (farmers) need, working on their own out on the farm, is to look at a nice fuzzy website,” Cr Keir said.
Cr Keir called for the government to commit to interest-free loans instead.
“We don’t want any handouts,” Cr Keir said.
“We just want interest-free loans we can have for a while to pay back. And we don’t want to have to be acrobats to get them.”
Paddocks between Walgett and Bourke are cracked and barren and communities are struggling after four years of horrendous conditions.
The government has sought to ease the pain through its five-year $300 million NSW Drought Strategy launched in February, which includes $250 million for low-interest loans.
The Small Business Grant program and Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate has also offered relief.
But Cr Keir said farmers were frustrated about eligibility rules and were tired of the confusing application process.
“It’s diabolical – you almost have to be a solicitor to understand it all,” Cr Keir said.
“I’d say most of the applications come through the door of our rural financial counselor.”
In launching the DroughtHub and Drought Framework last week Mr Blair said the government was meeting key commitments.
Labor leader Luke Foley, however, accused the government of treading a tired path.
“What we have seen time and again is this government re-announce previous drought policies while providing no new funding and very little in the way of in-drought assistance,” Mr Foley said.
“I’m concerned that we are seeing history repeat itself, with an over-hyped website announcement, but little else to show for it on the ground.”
Mr Foley said he would rely on the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal review of drought programs to determine Labor’s course of action.
NSW Farmers’ IPART submission recommends an evaluation of how non-drought government policies and charges impact farm profitability.