The current flooding of the Newell Highway south of Forbes has again raised the issue of what work is really needed on the major artery to the southern part of the state.
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The road closure is more than an inconvenience as local business is suffering due to the lack of traffic coming through town.
The highway is a major thoroughfare that ferries goods from Brisbane through NSW to Melbourne.
Two “low spots” just south of Forbes continue to be affected by flood waters, closing the highway in both directions.
The NSW government committed $500 million to an upgrade of the Newell Highway last year, but no plans were included for a small elevation of the highway along the two consistently impacted stretches of road.
Speculation surrounding the highway suggests it may be closed for as long as six weeks due to the flooding.
The government has said the Newell Highway would be closed for three weeks, although Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Mr Duncan Gay said it could be shut for longer and outgoing Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller believes the shire deserves a better outcome.
“One of the downfalls of disaster funding is it can not be used for betterment,” Cr Miller said.
“The funding will be used to repair the existing road after the flood waters recede.
“But, the next time the water rises these two spots on the highway will be affected again.
“The road closure is having a major impact on local businesses as the town is very quiet.
“Safety also becomes a problem.
“With Eugowra Road under water, if the Newell is closed at Tichborne, which has been a regular occurrence of late, residents do not have access to Orange hospital and the issue becomes a health risk.
“I will be taking the matter up with the premier as we need the issue to be fixed, not just patched up,” she said.
Minister Gay said that flood-proofing the Newell was not cost effective.
"To flood-proof the Highway for a once-in-20-year flood would cost more than $1 billion,” Mr Gay said.
"I understand businesses are doing it tough with the closure. We are doing everything possible for the community," he said.