THE THREAT is still far from over according to SES Commissioner Murray Kear.
Moree received a visit yesterday from Mr Kear along with Minister for Police and Emergency Michael Gallacher.
Mr Kear said Moree may be well into the clean-up phase but surrounding towns had not seen the worst of it yet.
More than 10,000 people are likely to be cut off as the flooding from Queensland moves downstream into NSW in the next few days and weeks, according to Mr Kear.
The first river peaks could hit the town of Goodooga, near the Queensland border, as early as Wednesday.
“As we see the floodwaters move west we’re likely to break the 10,000 mark in terms of isolation,” Mr Kear said.
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About 5000 people remained isolated on Tuesday, including residents of Wee Waa, Narrabri and rural properties across the region.
However, there may be some reprieve for Wee Waa’s 2300 residents who are expected to emerge from isolation by Friday if there is no further rainfall.
Mr Michael Gallacher congratulated the emergency services for their extensive workload.
“To be hit with two floods in such quick succession is hard on any community,” he said.
“Moree has done themselves proud by showing such resilience and community spirit.
“All the services have banded together and it shows,” he said.
Although things weren’t exactly going smoothly after the recent floods.
Meanwhile, Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts said unlicensed building repairs and tenancy issues were causing problems in Moree and had the potential to do so in other flooded parts of the state.
“Once the floodwaters begin to subside people naturally begin to focus on the clean-up and repair of damaged properties,” Mr Roberts said.
“Even in these exceptional circumstances, people should not use unlicensed businesses or individuals for any home building repairs,” he said.
According to Mr Roberts trade licenses are to be checked online or via telephone.
He said Fair Trading had received reports of landlords and real estate agents demanding that tenants clean-up flood damage and undertake repairs.
“There have also been reports of threatened evictions if tenants do not undertake repairs or cleaning.
Mr Roberts said knowing your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or landlord will help you avoid further problems during what is inevitably a very stressful time.
“If a rented home suffers damage through natural disaster, tenants and landlords or agents should communicate regularly and work together to make the best of an unusual and difficult situation,” he said.
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