National drought relief co-ordinator Major General Stephen Day has praised the efforts of local farmers in tackling the current crippling big dry.
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Major General Day met 32 farmers, producers, orchardists, viticulturalists and industry and local government representatives at Ross Hill Wines on Wednesday to hear about their plight.
He said issues raised included the need for a permanent water supply for wineries, the struggle egg farmers were facing to get a fair price for their products from supermarkets and concerns about government research and development tax changes.
"For some the big issue is the cost of feed. They can't afford the price," he said.
Major General Day said he was impressed by how Orange region producers were confronting the situation.
"These people, from this area, are made of the right stuff. They are in one of the great challenges of living on the land," he said.
"They are looking it in the eye and then dealing with it. They are smart farmers and smart business people."
Major General Day said he visited rural regions across Australia and reported daily to Prime Minister Scott Morrison about the local situation.
"A key duty for me is to spend time on the ground to bare witness to the struggle," he said.
Major General Day said he had noticed a change in farmer's requests as the drought worsened.
"The conversations I have with farmers today are quite different from six months ago," he said.
"Six months ago the focus was very much on farms and their businesses.
"Conversations today are now more focussed on their community. The drought just doesn't affect farmers. The impact flows onto businesses in town," he said.
"It is a very clear message that I take to Canberra."
Orange mayor Reg Kidd said it was hoped a regional committee involving farmers, mining companies, council and industry representatives could be formed to bolster local efforts to tackle the drought.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
