A NSW farming group fears the new head of the MDBA will not properly represent their needs.

Former federal politician Neil Andrew has been named as the Chair of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), and the Border Rivers Food and Fibre (BRFF) group says he is something of a ring-in.

Mr Andrew is set to replace outgoing chair Craig Knowles in February.

BRFF Executive Officer Tim Napier said having another South Australian in the Authority’s top job is a controversial move.

Mr Napier hopes Mr Andrew will not focus only on the south, but be willing to look at the issues in the northern basin too.

“From our point of view, it doesn't look good, because once again, somebody else from the bottom of the system is being put in charge,” Mr Napier told the ABC.

“People made the comment that it's like putting the fox in charge of the chook house, I hope that isn't the case.

“We hope that we can work very constructively with the Authority, as we've endeavoured to do in the past.”

Mr Napier said the BRFF believes that government money only goes to initiatives in the south of the Basin.

The group is worried that the trend will continue, at a great cost to the north.

“In the bigger scheme of things, we're just being treated as another source of water to quell some political needs in the south,” Mr Napier said.

“They must be aware of the sensitivities that exist, and if they're not, they're just not listening.

“That's why I thought it was a surprise that such a glaringly parochial appointment was made.”