“The RTA is 80 per cent through their assessment of flood affected roads,” Mr McMahon said.

By Friday afternoon the RTA should have almost completed the assessment.

“We are looking at a figure that will be upwards of $20 million,” he said.

Roads that had been washed away or badly damaged have been graded and re-opened to the public.

“We needed to continue with our emergency road works until all our roads were opened back up to the public,” Mr McMahon said.

“We are now concentrating on getting school bus routes back up to scratch.”

Unfortunately, heavy rain this week has slowed the process and washed away roads that had recently been graded.

“You can’t win. I suppose that’s the risk you take when you live on a flood plain,” Mr McMahon said.

Moree Plains Shire Mayor Katrina Humphries expects the road works will take up to two years to complete.

“It’s not a quick fix solution,” Cr Humphries said.

“It’s important that everybody takes care on our roads that are damaged, take notice of the signs, be patient, tolerant and sensible,” she said.

According to Mr McMahon, contract grader and truck drivers have been approached by council and will continue to assist with road repairs.

Mr McMahon believes it is also important that our local landholders in the region have their roads up to a reasonable standard.

“Landholders who have contracts for grain will need to have their roads repaired before trucks start using the roads,” he said.

“It is one of our main priorities.”

Residents are urged to be patient and to assist council by following signs and driving carefully on the roads.