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By Paul Osborne, AAP Senior Political Writer
CANBERRA, Feb 13 AAP - Less than half a thimble of rain has fallen in Broken Hill in January and February this year.
It's been dry in the north-west NSW region for over two years.
Which makes it all the more baffling for Broken Hill mayor Wincen Cuy as to why it was only on Wednesday that the NSW government declared the area drought-stricken, allowing a raft of assistance measures to flow.
"Drought doesn't have that instantaneous 'whammo' impact that floods and cyclones do," he told AAP, adding it was a progression of year-upon-year.
"I don't understand why it takes so long to instigate these measures."
While Cuy doesn't blame any particular level of government, he is keen to see some federal reform to ensure assistance flows more quickly.
The mayor is not alone in his concern.
Seventy per cent of Queensland and 52 per cent of NSW is in drought and the message is reaching Canberra.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott this weekend heads to some of the worst drought-hit areas in the two states to talk to farmers and community leaders about their plight.
January rainfall was very much below average across much of northern and western Queensland as well as along the east coast and adjacent inland from Rockhampton to southern Victoria.
The weather bureau says most of Queensland west of the ranges, northern NSW, north-eastern South Australia and the south-eastern Northern Territory has received less than 65 per cent of the long-term average rainfall during the past 16 months.
There is some hope ahead, with the bureau predicting a reduced chance of below-average rainfall during the next two months in Queensland and northern NSW.
Some of the worst-hit areas have been trucking in not only water for stock, but drinking water as well.
During the past eight months an estimated 18,000 head of cattle have been walked by drovers from western Queensland to Hay in NSW, in search of fodder.
Western NSW grazier Chris Wilhelm runs sheep and cattle on his 22,000ha property Inkerman Station.
"We are a bit nervous," he says.
"The nine-year drought is pretty fresh in our minds."
The West Darling Pastoralists Association president said most graziers had little feed and after heavy destocking were left with core breeding stock only.
"It is a horribly serious situation we are facing if it doesn't rain."
Wilhelm says assistance for freighting hay, longer terms of up to 15 years for low-interest loans and tax relief would help farmers restock when conditions improve.
Longreach mayor Joe Owens, whose shire was fully drought declared on January 1, said the drought was not only impacting on farmers but small businesses.
"Some businesses are considering opening only a couple of days a week."
Rain now would not change much, except perhaps lift the hopes of farmers.
"When it does rain they won't have anything to sell and debts are increasing," he said.
"It's going to take years to turn that around."
Asked whether the government could do more, he says: "People aren't looking for handouts - they are looking for a hand up."
