The Local Government Association of NSW (LGNSW) has thrown down an urgent challenge to both state and federal governments, declaring a Statewide Roads Emergency unfolding across the state.

With a large proportion of the state now disaster-declared at least once this year, the damage to roads is expected to be overwhelming for many shires.

NSW mayors and councillors joined their interstate colleagues at the National Local Roads and Transport Congress in Hobart last week and on Thursday 3 November voted unanimously in support of an urgent call for the NSW and Federal Governments to increase their existing road funding commitments.

LGNSW says that successive floods and torrential rain events, coupled with chronic funding constraints, has caused an estimated $2.5 billion in road damages and caused a collapse of the local and regional road network.

LGNSW President Darriea Turley warned that without additional funding, the economic and social harm caused by this emergency would only get worse.

“More than 220 natural disaster areas have been declared across NSW this year, leaving the road network in a state of disrepair,” Cr Turley said.

“Road repair funding pledged to date has fallen well short of what is required so we’re declaring this Statewide Roads Emergency to get help before the situation becomes even worse."

Both sealed and unsealed roads across the western plains, from state highways to little known local roads, have been seriously damaged.

Communities such as Carinda, Collarenebri, Lightning Ridge, Brewarrina, Walgett and Condobolin have been cut off and many rural residents have seen extended periods of complete isolation.

Crown Camp Road in Lachlan Shire is one of hundreds being damaged by flooding. PHOTO: C Cooper

This week all roads into Brewarrina were closed due to flooding and the water is set to keep rising.

Brewarrina Shire Council says the damage to roads is going to be extensive but won't be fully known until the water recedes.

With some large trucks still permitted to go through floodwaters on certain routes in order to retain essential supplies to Brewarrina, that will cause some damage as well.

"Although it’s hard to assess the full extent of the damage to our roadways with most being under water, staff are doing routine condition assessments daily to capture any data that can assist in determining our recovery needs in terms of resources when the water recedes," said Brewarrina Shire General Manager, David Kirby.

"To date the full extent of the cost is unknown and may not be known until sometime in the New Year when we gain access to some of those isolated areas."

Mr Kirby was asked if anything can be done to prepare for the aftermath.

"There are always ways in which we can prepare and the most important is talking with residents and rural landowners in some of the more isolated areas who have great insight and knowledge of historic issues related to flood damage.

"This gives us an indication of what to expect once that water recedes, local knowledge is a critical component in working through any natural disaster and we will be making every effort through the response and recovery phase of this event to learn as much as we can."

Local landholders will have their own road damage to contend with post-flood. PHOTO: C Cooper, Condobolin.

With major damage across entire shire road networks, many Councils are already looking to set priorities for recovery.

"At this stage, our main focus will be land and roads adjoining the main channels which for us are the Barwon and Bogan rivers," Mr Kirby said.

"The roads impacted most will be Arthur Hall VC Way (Coolabah RD) and the Kamilaroi highway, which runs beside the Barwon River to Bourke and Walgett.

"Outside the State Highway Network, local and regional roads will see major flood damage around culverts and causeways, which will take some resources to repair in that recovery phase. We will be up for the challenge though."

Mr Kirby points out that, like the disaster response, the recovery phase will need to be a partnership arrangement.

"Both State and Federal Governments including Transport for NSW have been supportive through this flood event. In addition, a big thank you to all the emergency response teams across the state working tirelessly to protect our communities, they’re are worth their weight in gold," Mr Kirby.

Brewarrina Mayor Vivian Slacksmith says that her council will be behind efforts to boost the resources available to shires around the state to rebuild the roads network.

“We will continue to lobby with other western councils for increased funding," she said.

"We are very appreciative of both State and Federal government funding offers and are mindful of the huge burden this flooding will cost to repair. "

Some roads in Brewarrina shire remain passable but in need of major repair.

LGNSW says that the situation is becoming increasingly urgent and any delays after the flooding subsides will create further harm.

“In the coming weeks close to $4 billion worth of crops will need to be harvested and transported, yet harvesting machinery is unable to access some of the most productive regions in our state," said Cr Turley.

“The wider rural communities supporting Australia’s food bowl are on their knees, waiting for the network to be repaired.

“Meanwhile, families travelling during the upcoming summer holidays will find their trips to visit family severely disrupted unless councils get the support we need to rebuild the road network.

“When this rain finally recedes, we owe it to our communities that they gain access to their road network as quickly as possible.”

“NSW communities are facing an unprecedented disaster which requires an unprecedented response,” Cr Turley said.

The Wingadee Road between Coonamble and Come-by-Chance has been submerged several times.

As part of the Statewide Roads Emergency, LGNSW is calling for:

• An acceleration and significant increase in funding for the $1.1 billion Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Bridges program

• A boost to Road Block Grant funding to compensate for the damage to the regional road network

• New funding to provide councils with plant, machinery and skilled workers to expedite road repairs.