More crews and heavy machinery to boost flood response
The NSW Government will deploy crews and equipment from around the state to the Central West and Murrumbidgee to assist with the mammoth task of reconnecting the road network.
Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Government was stepping up support for the flood emergency by bringing in manpower and heavy machinery to help with the recovery effort.
“We are bringing in 200 people from Transport for NSW and contractors on a fly-in, fly-out basis, excavators, trucks and bobcats from around the state to support councils and existing crews with the massive task of repairing and restoring roads,” Mr Farraway said.
“Early estimates from councils indicate that 10,000 kilometres of roads have been affected, which will take many months to repair.
“Transport is continuing to coordinate access and reopen roads as it is safe to do so. It is also supporting freight access to paddocks and facilitating emergency resupply of essential services such as gas.”
Nationals Minister for Western NSW Dugald Saunders said the extent of the damage in many areas is still unknown.
“Many roads are still inundated by flood waters making it difficult for crews to assess the damage for some time yet,” Mr Saunders said.
“The focus for now is to get moving on the pothole and pavement repairs and drainage maintenance until repair work can be completed.”
The NSW Government will continue to provide a free daily shuttle service between Eugowra and Orange to support families who have lost homes and belongings.
Transport for NSW is also helping with a much-needed laundry service for the people of Eugowra, with more than 150 loads of laundry now collected, washed and returned to the people of Eugowra thanks to volunteers from the school communities of Parkes.
The NSW Government will also fast-track $15 million in emergency funding for urgent road repairs in Cabonne Council, Cowra Council, Forbes Shire Council, Lachlan Shire Council, Moree Plains Shire Council, Narrabri Shire Council, Parkes Shire Council and Walgett Shire Council.