The State Government has unveiled a significant expansion of its drought support measures, with farmers across the Hunter set to benefit from new loans, extended programs and increased on‑ground assistance.
The Drought Ready and Resilient Fund will have its loan cap doubled from $250,000 to $500,000, giving producers more financial capacity to undertake resilience projects and manage operational costs such as feed and transport. A new small Drought Relief Loan of up to $100,000 has also been introduced to provide faster, low‑cost cash‑flow support, with reduced paperwork and no property security.
Pest management efforts will also be strengthened, with $2 million to help target feral pigs and deer.
Applications for the new loans will open on 10 March 2026 through the Rural Assistance Authority.
