The outback New South Wales town of Bourke has been transformed from a "dry dustbowl" to a lush green landscape following heavy rains only a week ago.

"They say this country is not that good, but look at it," Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman said.

"After rain, it's as good as it gets anywhere."

The town of Bourke has turned green after recent rain. ( ABC News: Prue Adams )

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, 81 millimetres of rain has been recorded throughout the month of October, with the biggest fall of 27mm only a week ago.

"Two weeks ago, it was a dry dustbowl," Bourke's manager of Tourism and Economic Development Charles Liggett said.

"That's how quickly it changes."

Bourke Mayor Barry Hollman said there was a "real buzz" around the construction of the new abattoir. ( ABC News: Prue Adams )

Bourke, about 800 kilometres north-west of Sydney, does not always get a good rap.

A report by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics in 2013 found it had the highest assault rate in the state, along with break-ins and car thefts.

With a population of just under 3,000, unemployment is high, with the biggest employer in town being the Shire Council.

Locals of all types are pleased at the recent rainfall. ( ABC News: Prue Adams )

But the town is turning the corner, according to Mr Hollman, and "there is a real buzz" about the development of a massive new $60 million abattoir being established 14 kilometres north of the town centre.

"That, and rain — makes people feel good about things," Mr Hollman said.

The company building the abattoir, Capra Developments, approached the Bourke Shire over a year ago asking if the region would be supportive of a state-of-the-art small livestock meatworks.

"We jumped at the chance," Mr Hollman said.

"I mean, why wouldn't we?"

The Council secured a $10 million Federal Government grant to contribute towards the site enabling infrastructure, such as roads and water supply, and the plant is expected to be completed by around March next year.

According to Capra Developments business advisor James Price it will kill up to 6,000 goats every day, making it by far the biggest goat abattoir in the country, and one of the largest in the world.

Mr Price said the new business aimed to employ up to 200 people — mostly locals if possible.

"Bourke is a meatworks town," Mr Price said.

"So we expect there could be residents who have left town because of drought or the lack to jobs, will come back to town for work."

The old abattoir closed down years ago, triggering an exodus of residents looking for jobs. ( ABC News: Tony Hill )

When the old Bourke abattoir closed many years ago, hundreds of residents left town to look for work elsewhere.

"To have a new big employer in town, and private enterprise too, not government like the rest of the place, is just so good," Mr Hollman said.

The green shoots sprouting on the properties in and around the town they call "the real gateway to the outback" could well be an indicator of better times ahead.