Mr Blair, who is from Goulburn and went to Mulwaree High, told the Goulburn Post on Monday that the level of the aggression that was directed at him in Western NSW over the fish deaths at Menindee had factored in his decision.

"The decision not to put myself forward for a ministerial position is because I was not confident that I could commit to the next four years, working as hard as I have for the last four," Mr Blair said.

"It is a challenge to travel to Sydney and everywhere else in the state. It takes a toll. I needed to be fair dinkum and if I could not commit to that 100 per cent then it would provide an opportunity for someone else who could, particularly when our farmers in drought are relying on someone to give that effort every day.

"Public life does not come without costs and while the opportunities have been immense, the costs personally and more recently professionally, have taken their toll," he said.

"I cannot deny that the level of aggression directed towards me around water policy has had a profound impact.

"It does not matter what your job is - if there is a level of aggression, whether it is online or face to face, it does take its toll. I can do something about that - and that is what I am doing - I am making a choice to whether I continue putting myself forward for that - and you know in public life that you may be subjected to some of these things - but certainly the last few months have taken a toll and it is healthy to recognise this early and do something about it and that is what I am doing." 

Mr Blair said he had made the decision to quit the ministry a few months ago. He was pre-selected last April to lead the NSW Nationals on the ballot paper in the Legislative Council. 

But since then, he said his priorities had changed. 

"My role has had a significant impact on my family, particularly, my wife, Mel and son Lachlan. I would not be here today without their love, along with that of my extended family and friends. I look forward to repaying them for their unwavering support," he said. 

"My role has never been about me or my profile, it's been about my party, our members and the communities and industries I have had the pleasure of representing."

He was voted back in on Saturday and will stay on in the NSW Legislative Council. 

"I will take up my position in the upper house. At this stage, all I have said is that I will take that position and make a further decision about when I leave parliament from there, in consultation with my party," he said.

"That is something that won't cause a by-election or cost the taxpayer any money. There is no pension, I get no payout, it will be a seamless transition and my party will replace my spot whenever that happens." 

He also said he would have more time to ride his bike and enjoy life. 

"I will have more time with family and riding my bike and doing other things. I also still have a job to do in the Legislative Council and I will do that with diligence," he said.