An isolated Walgett was looking at light at the end of the tunnel with the re-opening of the Castlereagh Highway towards Coonamble, but a 40 millimetre deluge overnight has put a stop to any signs of drying out.

Walgett Shire Mayor Jane Keir has issued reassurance that the Castlereagh Highway opening won’t be affected by the weekend’s local rain, but that all other access to Walgett - as well as any dirt road in shire - will remain closed. 

While Walgett saw a small break from the rain over the weekend, 40 millimetres covered the shire overnight.

“The township is high and dry and safe. They’ve got a 24 hour patrol on (the levee bank) and they’ve got machinery and everything there if there’s a leak,” Cr Keir said. 

With Namoi and Gingie Villages being evacuated last week, Cr Keir said that those who insisted on staying in their homes are safe and well provided for. 

“The power, sewerage and water is all working in Namoi Village. The issue is that people have been confined to their homes with their kids and animals for three weeks,” she said. 

The SES pays visits to remaining residents of Namoi Village twice daily to provide supplies. 

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It’s not only smaller localities that have become isolated, but also local farmers in every corner of the shire that have been unable to leave their properties, some for over a month. 

Until last Friday, the once reliable flood access route - Nilma Road - from Come-By-Chance to Walgett had been cut from 30 September. 

“Council has been very concerned for the local farming community that’s isolated,” Cr Keir said. 

It hasn’t stopped harvest efforts though, according to Cr Keir, despite access roads being cut for trucks, headers and workers, and producers pushing on through mass vehicle boggings in paddocks across the district

“It’s absolutely horrendous for people trying to do their harvest, but I have to say that the community spirit is unbelievable,” Cr Keir said. 

What was a difficult harvest last year has become almost an impossibility this year, with even less left to harvest.

“We’re all alive and well though, everything’s running very smoothly now and the SES really needs to be commended for great coordination, right down to the loaves of bread in the supermarket,” Cr Keir said. 

Despite the local rains, river levels are continuing to fall after peaking last week. Major flooding is still occurring at Collarenebri, Walgett, Brewarrina and Bourke. 

Roads to Collarenebri, Burren Junction and Lightning Ridge all remain closed.

If you need help getting supplies, call the SES on 132 500.