Mr Warren and Mr Barr (who is also the shadow minister for water and the Hunter) visited Cessnock, Singleton and Muswellbrook councils.

Mr Warren said the state government had "a lot to answer for" regarding its treatment of drought-affected rural and regional communities.

"Councils and communities have been crying out for help but the NSW Nationals have continually ignored those pleas," he said.

"Communities throughout the state have been ravaged and devastated by the drought yet relief, respite and rebates have been grossly inadequate."

Mr Barr accused the government of "playing politics" with the drought.

"We know that this government have failed to spend money from the ideological sell-off of the state assets in regional NSW, we know that they have failed to spend money allocated to Resources for Regions funding in mining-affected communities and we know that they have failed to accelerate key projects like the Singleton and Muswellbrook by-pass," he said.

"It's all Sydney, Sydney, Sydney for this government."

The pair met with Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent, general manager Lotta Jackson and a number of councillors on Thursday morning.

Cr Pynsent said while Cessnock hasn't been as badly hit by the drought other parts of the state, the impacts are starting to become obvious, citing the number of local dairies that have closed down in recent years as an example.

"Relatively, it's not as tough as out west, but we are feeling it," he said.