Together with Armidale Dumaresq, Moree Shire Plains and Inverell Shire have also been included in the Natural Disaster area.

Director of engineering services for Walcha Council, Steve McCoy said assessment was still ongoing but he did not think it would be necessary to apply for a declaration for the Walcha Shire area.

Most of the damage in the Armidale Dumaresq local government area relates to rural gravel roads where many washouts have removed gravel from the road creating large ruts and potholes. Armidale Dumaresq Council (ADC) engineering road maintenance staff are undertaking emergency repairs to make roads safe as quickly as possible.

Armidale’s director of engineering and works, David

Steller welcomed the news after ADC applied to the

Minister for Police and Emergency Services, with the

support of Member for Northern Tablelands Richard

Torbay for the declaration of a Natural Disaster Area across the Armidale Dumaresq local government area.

The Natural Disaster area declaration and state and federal government emergency funding will allow extra

resources to be brought in to help with the repairs to roads and infrastructure.

Anyone needing help from the SES should contact their

local unit on 132 500. In life threatening emergencies,

always ring triple zero (000).

Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) is urging motorists to slow down and take care in the continuing wet weather amid roads affected by flooding.

An spokesman urged motorists to heed the flood alerts and warnings and delay travel if possible.

“If drivers need to travel, please drive to the conditions

and do not enter flood water under any conditions,” he said. “Driving in wet weather can test even the most experienced driver’s skills, and motorists need to lower their speed to compensate for reduced visibility and slippery conditions.

“Wet weather also leads to increased stopping distances

so allow for extra space between you and the vehicle in

front.

“RMS maintenance crews are working to repair areas

affected by potholes including the New England Highway

and are urging motorists to reduce speed and exercise caution. Crews are constantly deployed to fix the damage as it appears and to restore the road to a safe condition.

“A detailed assessment of the damaged areas will also be

carried out to plan further repair work.”

For more information, contact the Transport Management

Centre on 132 701 or visit www.livetraffic.com