Condobolin-born Rebecca Fox will leave her role as secretary of the Department of Regional NSW in a series of moves NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders has said is treating people from the regions as "second-class citizens."

From July 1, the Department of Regional NSW will be renamed the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 

Current chief executive officer of Local Land Services Steve Orr will be the department’s secretary, taking over responsibility for the NSW regions from veteran public servant Ms Fox who lost her job in the re-structure.

"This reflects the twin objectives of growing our primary industries through greater focus on extension services, research and development and supporting regional economic development" the Minns government said in a statement.

Agriculture and Biosecurity will be grouped to support the delivery of the Independent Commissioners for Agriculture and Biosecurity and reflects the interrelationship between the protection and productivity of our primary industries sector and the environment.

Agriculture minister Tara Moriarty said she was looking forward to working with Orr.

“Under new leadership, the department will now focus on our key priorities of protecting, supporting, and developing regional NSW. The focus on biosecurity and agriculture will be boosted and the rollout of the new $350 million Regional Development Trust and the review of the Regional Development Act will be elevated,” she said.

”Agriculture and biosecurity will be a paired portfolio, reflecting the growing interconnectedness of the biosecurity and farming sectors. It will provide a one-stop shop for the future independent commissioners for agriculture and biosecurity".

Dugald Saunders. Image: ABC.

But Mr Saunders, the Member for Dubbo, said it’s clear the new Department will be coordinated from Sydney by the city-centric Premier.

“This is hard to believe, given during the election campaign he (the premier) said ‘I don’t pretend to have any expertise about regional New South Wales.’” Mr Saunders said.

“Instead of providing any funding for the creation of this new Department, the Minns Labor Government has opted to drain the money left in the former Nationals Government Regional Growth fund". .

“This money is now being directed towards a restructure that will cause only angst for hundreds of regional workers and their families.

Rebecca Fox. Image: Government News.

“We already know Labor’s functional review has put more than 100 jobs on the chopping block and now Premier Minns needs to be upfront about how many more are on the way.”

Mr Saunders also thanked Ms Fox for her outstanding service and contribution to regional NSW.

He said Ms Fox always put the interests of regional NSW at the forefront of decision making.

“I worked closely with her during my time as a Minister and wish her all the best for the future.”