The State and Federal governments have jointly announced disaster recovery funding in the Yass Valley after the extensive damage to the local area. 

Yass is one of 20 other regional council areas across NSW to be declared a Natural Disaster after recent inland storms and flooding. 

The damage has cause frustration not only to residents but to Yass Valley Council staff, who says roads are not the only infrastructure effected, damage to sewerage, water supply equipment, buildings and parks are adding to the long list that will already cost them hundreds of thousands in damage. 

“As well as assessing roads for safety and accessibility staff have been exceptionally busy documenting damage across the Local Government Area in preparation for yesterday’s emergency declaration,” said Yass Valley Council’s newly appointed Director Engineering, Robert Fish. 

“The time frame on when permanent repair works can commence is still unclear and we will be working closely with the Regional Recovery Coordinator, appointed by the NSW Office of Emergency Management.”

Council staff have been conducting emergency works to ensure roads are passable in the short term, before extensive repairs can be carried out now that emergency funding has become available. 

“Our unsealed road network has suffered extensive damage due to the extended and consistent wet weather experienced over the last couple of months,” said Mr Fish. 

“Unfortunately there will be a backlog in maintenance grading and we ask for residents to be patient as we priorities roads in urgent need of repair.”

Making the announcement from the flood effected town of Forbes on Tuesday, September 27, Minister for Justice Michael Keenan said, “Natural disasters are a fact of life in Australia, but the recovery process for these communities is a long one.”

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police Troy Grant said, “A range of disaster relief assistance was now available to help communities across 21 local government areas.”

Information on the assistance available in response to this disaster is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au andwww.emergency.nsw.gov.au. 

Further rain is expected in the Yass Valley over the next two days and into the weekend, with the estimated rainfall to average around 25-50 mm. 

The further downpour could see the closures of even more local roads.  

On September 21, residents were informed that 17 of it’s roads were closed including Murrumbateman Road that is an alternative route to Canberra and, for a short time, flooding across the Barton Highway. 

With more expected over the next 24 hours people are encouraged to heed flood warnings and monitor media outlets and council website for road closure information. 

Yass State Emergency Service controller David Mason said that we haven’t received the exact rainfall by the Bureau of Meteorology the heaviest times are estimated between Wednesday evening and Thursday, and to stretch over 36 hours. 

“Everything is saturated and we have just so many low level crossings it doesn’t take much to put the roads over,” he said.  “When the rain hit last time [September 21] the Barton Highway at Jeir creek had a bit of water across it, as long as people drive to the conditions they shouldn’t be worried.”

“While we focuss on RMS roads, the police are closely monitoring the Barton Highway.”  

If you require emergency assistance please call the SES on 132 500.