A memorandum of understanding has now been signed between the state government and Regional Cities NSW, which deputy premier John Barilaro said would deepen the relationship between local and state governments.

Mr Barilaro and Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock signed the agreement on Thursday alongside Regional Cities NSW chair Cr Col Murray at NSW Parliament House today.

Read also:

Cr Murray said that building strong regional cities is fundamentally important for building a strong regional NSW.

"Our regional cities are essential hubs that provide access to transport, health businesses, employment and education for those living in our cities as well as those in smaller towns and rural areas," Cr Murray said.

"This new agreement between state and local government is an important step in continuing to deliver for the people of regional NSW."

The government is supporting farmers and regional communities through its $1.8 billion emergency drought relief package including $170 million to build shovel-ready projects in regional towns.

Members of local councils also met with government ministers on Thursday to discuss the ongoing drought and possible solutions.

Namoi Unlimited and community members travelled to Canberra to take part in eight meetings with treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Minister for Regional Services, Mark Coulton, the Offices of Environment and Agriculture, and representatives from the Regional Australia Institute.

The community members represented each member council, and included Juliana McArthur from Gunnedah Shire Council, Josh McGregor from Gwydir Shire Council, Noel Saunders from Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Kevin Tongue from Tamworth Regional Council, and Jock Nivison from Walcha Council.

The group put forward numerous recommendations to "address the current and future impact of drought" to the ministers, calling for additional funding of up to $2 million for councils in the Namoi region under the Drought Communities Program.

"We saw major benefits to our communities [with the last program] and we're calling on a $2 million program to continue to be distributed through local governments, with the aim of keeping people employed," Namoi Unlimited chair Jamie Chaffey said.

"The benefits of supporting local businesses means that money will continue to circulate through economies which allows the people who live in our communities by choice the ability to stay."

Cr Chaffey said the aim of the visit was to make sure federal parliamentarians had the effects of the long-lasting drought in the fronts of their minds.

"We don't know when the drought will break but when it does there's still a long way to go before we recover. and ongoing assistance will be required," he said.

Other recommendations brought forward by the group included prioritising "funding for incentives and businesses to support, establish and retain business and employment in drought impacted areas" and providing "funding to preschools to fund and provide social and mental health resources for children living in drought declared communities".