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Rural communities on alert as rivers rise

By Steve Mudd posted 10-10-2022 09:17

  

Rural communities on alert as rivers rise


NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has urged rural communities to look after each other and avoid floodwater after wild weather whipped the state.

Across the weekend there were emergency warnings for low-lying areas right across the state, including Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and the Central Coast. There were 1000 calls for assistance from emergency services and the SES, with flooding at Dubbo, Forbes, Wagga Wagga and Warren, and flood warnings for many inland rivers including the Macquarie, Darling, Bogan, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee rivers. 
 
Mr Martin said flood danger persisted after the rain stopped, with people, animals, crops, pastures, roads and railway lines all potentially affected. He asked people to be extra-careful this summer as the full force of a third consecutive La Nina was felt, and said safety had to be the priority.

“It has been horrible seeing the fury of mother nature this year, from the repeated flooding in the Northern Rivers to hail damage at Griffith and Mangrove Mountain, but we continue to stand by our members who are living in flood-affected communities,” Mr Martin said.

“We know it will be a long time before we fully understand the impact of these heavy rains and floods, but our farmers and rural communities are resilient.

“Ultimately we want to see people get through these situations safely and repair and rebuild as quickly as possible, so we can keep growing healthy food for people.”

With the forecast for further rainfall and increased flooding over the coming days, Mr Martin reminded livestock producers to use the NSW Government Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA) hotline – 1800 814 647 – for immediate assistance for affected farmers, landowners and communities in isolated areas. 
 
He also repeated requests from NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders to plan ahead and report any flood damage to their properties, which would enable government assistance to be delivered where it was needed.

“Even after the immediate threat of floodwater has passed, we need to report the situation to emergency services and NSW DPI to help get support moving as quickly as possible,” Mr Martin said.

“Emergency services, local land services and DPI have been very responsive to the needs of farmers and rural communities during the wild weather this year, it’s just unfortunate they’ve had so much practice.

“I would encourage any affected communities to utilise the help that has been offered, and on behalf of our farmers I thank our governments for offering this help.”

To keep up to date with the latest flood information, visit www.nsw.gov.au/floods and to submit an online natural disaster damage survey, click here


Date: Monday, October 10, 2022
Media Contact: Steve Mudd  | 0429 011 690 | mudds@nswfarmers.org.au
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