Rural communities across NSW are facing renewed pressure as intensifying drought conditions threaten recovery efforts from recent flooding, with El Niño forecast to bring hotter and drier weather in the coming weeks.
The National Rural Health Alliance says farmers are already experiencing soil moisture deficits and water scarcity, putting livelihoods and long‑term sustainability at risk. Chief executive Susi Tegen says drought brings compounding impacts that go well beyond rainfall.
“Drought does not arrive alone. It brings health pressure, financial stress, workforce strain and rising risk for already vulnerable communities,” she said.
Conditions across Australia earlier this year were drier than average, with rainfall deficiencies recorded in north‑eastern NSW and parts of Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia and Victoria. These conditions are expected to worsen as El Niño influences an extended period of hot, dry weather.
Ms Tegen says rural communities, including those in the Upper Hunter, are being hit from multiple directions, still grappling with flood recovery while facing deepening drought and rising costs linked to fuel, freight and fertiliser.
“Rural people cannot be expected to recover from one disaster while the next one is already taking shape,” she said.
