Hundreds of Upper Hunter properties have run out of water, says a council boss who told Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about the effects of the drought on the weekend.
While coastal parts of the region are having a wet few days, Scone, Merriwa and surrounds remain parched.
Merriwa has had 162.8mm of rain, but 61mm of that fell in three days in February.
When Upper Hunter Shire Council general manager Steve McDonald met with the Prime Minister on the weekend, he explained the severity of the situation.
Mr Turnbull was in the Hunter visiting his property before he and several ministers kicked off a tour of drought-affected parts of NSW and Queensland.
Mr McDonald explained to Mr Turnbull the urgent need for water security measures and help for farmers to cope with the cost of food transport.
It appears to be getting more variable, certainly in this part of the world and back where Lucy and I are in the Hunter,” he said.
Do you run fewer stock?
“It’s a mix of things but I think the important thing for people in regional and rural Australia to know is that we understand how big a challenge this is, we really do.” Merriwa farmer Ron Campbell is one of the many living that challenge.
“Agistment is almost non-existent, with the cost of any grain and hay increasing substantially,” he said.