It's a staggering fact that more than two-thirds of Australians live in a local government area that was subject to a natural disaster declaration at some point in 2022.

Warrumbungle Shire Mayor, Ambrose Doolan backs these statistics saying there is not a town, village or locality in the Warrumbungle LGA that has not been affected by the natural disasters.

The New South Wales flood crisis is now Australia’s most expensive natural disaster, with insurers estimating $5.5bn in claims having been lodged.

"The fact that one in 25 of us has had to lodge an insurance claim because of this extreme weather is very sobering," Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) CEO, Andrew Hall said.

On the insurance side of things, Mr Doolan said damage to this extent has never previously been experienced in the Warrumbungle Shire, with massive claims lodged for assistance totalling over $11M.

"Before this the largest natural disaster claim in the Warrumbungle LGA was for around $700,000,” he said.

Australian Government treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned economic pressure from natural disasters will continue through 2023 after modelling showed severe flooding across the country last year cost the economy $5 billion.

Thankfully, current drier conditions have seen an opportunity to make repairs to infrastructure, particularly roads.

Roads in every shire across the state were affected to some extent. This photo taken in the height of flooding in Lachlan Shire in November 2022.

Warrumbungle Shire is just one of many LGA's currently rehabilitating damaged roads but Mr Doolan said hold ups from higher levels of government have been frustrating.

“Even after all this time we are still awaiting approval from the NSW Government for funding for some restoration works from the November 2021 storm events, which is also hindering the recovery,” Mr Doolan said.

“The natural disaster events dating from November 2021 resulted in damage to most of the roads right across the Warrumbungle local government area, and indeed throughout much of New South Wales, Victoria and parts of Queensland. Since then, Council has been working constantly on assessing the roads, capturing accurate data for the rigorous process to apply for financial assistance, and to systematically work through the road repairs.”

The Warrumbungle Shire has a network of over 2500 kms of road with extra resources being made available to get the roads back in order.

"Road crews are working additional hours and days on local rural roads to get the works completed quicker. Additional staff have been taken on and Council is also partnering with local contractors to supply extra labour and machinery. Council is also about to tender for additional contractors to speed up the restoration process,” Mr Doolan said.

“It is great to see the road works are happening across the LGA, different crews are working in different locations all the time to systematically work through the priority order that was adopted by Council. The community will be seeing the results, most recently works in the Cobborah Road area were completed."

Graders at work in Coonamble Shire.

Mr Doolan said the process to rehabilitate the road network is a very slow one and asked for community understanding.

"Applying for funding is in itself a long and complicated process that requires a significant amount of effort. On top of the strict requirements of Federal and State Governments for natural disaster funding assistance, staff were hindered by ongoing wet weather and delays in receiving supplies for an extended time.

"The program of road rehabilitation is expected to take around two years to complete. I urge the community to continue to be patient with the process and take care on the roads, not only in the Warrumbungle LGA but across the State,” he said.