Dubbo has escaped the worst of the flooding forecast along the Macquarie River, but Western Plains Regional Council works and services manager Ian Bailey said the clean-up will take weeks.
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The river had been expected to peak around 7.6 metres on Thursday night, forcing the closure of the Emile Serisier Bridge, following an earlier peak around 4.79 metres that morning.
But the second peak – brought by water flowing out of the Bell River – never eventuated, and falling water levels have only revealed a fraction of the damage.
“The minor to moderate flooding has caused a large amount of debris to be caught up at the pedestrian bridges across the Macquarie River,” Mr Bailey said.
“Many sealed and unsealed roads...may be still be hazardous. Even though a road is open hazards such as loose gravel, slippery surfaces, pot holes and water over roads can remain for some time or recur with further rain.
“It’s going to take weeks to get things back to some semblance of order.”
Some gravel roads in the region would need resurfacing, Mr Bailey said, while the sheer force of floodwaters had caused structural damage on the Shibble Bridge.
The State Emergency Service (SES) recorded no further calls for help on Thursay night, after assisting in two rescues on Wednesday.
Although the forecast 7.6 metre peak was not reached, NSW SES Macquarie region controller David Monk said the region had responded well to the threat.
“I think with all the arrangements that were put in place, all of the shops and premises on the Macquarie River in Dubbo were very prepared this time,” he said.
“Should it have eventuated, it was good to see a lot of people prepared this time to save anything.”
Road closures in the central business district, including Blight Street between Erskine Street and Wingewarra Street, also reduced the risk of damage or injury, Mr Monk said.
“We have to take into consideration the safety of people and property – that’s what emergency services manage,” he said.
“It’s much better to mitigate the risks.”
The SES has now turned its attention to a forecast 9.1 metre peak at Warren on Saturday.
But many volunteers returned to work today, and Mr Monk took the opportunity to thank the businesses that allowed their staff time off to volunteer.
“To have employees allow their employees to go is a really good and encouraging sign,” he said.
“They’re contributing to the safety of the community.”
