NT Cattlemen's Association chief executive officer Ashley Manicaros said throughout September and October 2019 Territory pastoralists fought fires, in some instances, for more than three straight weeks at their own expense and with little physical government support.

"Pastoralists with available dedicated and committed volunteer firefighters stood should to shoulder fighting fires but they had to source and pay for their own aerial support and on ground equipment support," Mr Manicaros said.

"The NT Government may have spent $6.4m on a new Bushfires NT headquarters but that doesn't put out fires on the ground."

The government is building a new Bushfires NT Headquarters in Acacia Hills to support 35 ongoing Bushfires NT staff and approximately 350 volunteers.

Once complete the new facility will bring Bushfires NT staff from Winnellie and Batchelor together under one roof making it easier to respond to and manage bushfire emergencies.

Mr Manicaros claimed pastoralists spent their own money - tens of thousands dollars - engaging aerial support, graders and equipment to fight the fires across the NT last fire season.

"It is outrageous our Government then goes and criticises the Federal Government when they don't do anything to support the locals themselves."

More reading: Debrief after worst fire in living memory.

Mr Manicaros said to date the government had also not delivered assistance for drought-affected farmers.

"The NT Government has not provided any assistance and has only signed onto one federal scheme - a water rebate scheme," he said.

"The NT Government was asked to consider rent relief for drought-affected producers and has said publicly it will - but all we've seen is a draft set of administrative protocols in eight months.

"The NTCA has been pressing the Federal Government on drought and we get asked what is the NT Government doing and we are forced to say nothing - they have no money and have buried their head in the sand on the issue," Mr Manicaros said.

"Cattle producers are not seeking welfare but we don't expect to see more resources being sent south than are used locally for a picture opportunity and press releases."

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