The boundaries for the Bundarra area which was granted Exceptional Circumstances drought relief earlier this year have been extended.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams says he has been advised by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Senator Joe Ludwig that an application to accept the parishes of Ironbark and Gundamulda has been accepted on the advice of NRAC.

Senator Williams said when the second Bundarra submission was approved in June, the surrounding buffer zones were not.

"In consultation with landholders we went back and researched the data and found that there had been a rare and severe drought event in these areas and they should have qualified as part of the original application.

In fact, some of the property owners suffered the double whammy of drought and bushfires.

I wrote to the NSW Minister for Primary Industries seeking a review of the decision, and today's announcement is the result of the review by NRAC and recommendation to the Federal Minister.

Landholders in Ironbark and Gundamulda are able to apply for Exceptional Circumstances assistance until the 30^th of April, 2012. Income support will be available immediately, "Senator Williams said.