3 March 2010
DAFF10/387B

The Rudd Government has received an application from the NSW Government for Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance for farmers in the Dunedoo region.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the application has been referred to the independent National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) for advice.

NRAC will assess the application and provide advice back to the Federal Government.

The proposed area incorporates the townships of Molong, Wellington, Geurie, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Coonabarabran, Tambar Springs, Cassilis, Ulan, Bylong, Rylstone and Hill End.

The region was previously drought declared in 2003 and the declarations were continued under a series of extensions until 2009.

Under the current Exceptional Circumstances system, state and territory governments must submit an application for regions to be considered for drought declaration.