Mayor releases message to community amid updates to road closures

Coolamon Shire Council Mayor David McCann has released a statement to his community in regard to the increase in traffic to the road network.

The ongoing flooding has forced traffic that normally uses the Newell and Sturt Highways to detour through Coolamon Shire.

Mayor McCann said the detour was necessary to maintain the national road system.

“The current diversion arrangements are likely to remain in place for some time to come which will mean a further degradation of our shire roads,” Cr McCann said.

“Our council road crews are working very hard to repair damaged roads as quickly as possible, but the increase in heavy vehicle traffic with the ongoing wet weather makes this task extremely difficult and dangerous.

“Damage repaired in the morning is often undone by the afternoon.”

Cr McCann welcomed the funding Coolamon Shire Council would receive from the NSW Government to assist with repairs of the road system.

“While the money is most welcome it is going to take some months to properly repair or replace the road network back to a standard we all enjoy,” he said.

“Under normal circumstances council’s road crews would be undertaking important work to ready our sealed and unsealed road network for the upcoming harvest season.

“However the current emergency situation has prevented much meaningful work to be done on the network … (it means) the expected increase in harvest traffic will be negotiating already damaged roads which will compound the problems.”

Mayor McCann stressed it was imperative all road users in Coolamon adhered to the prevailing conditions.

“Potholes and road damage can occur without warning with catastrophic consequences so please slow down, observe traffic warning signs and add extra time to safely complete your journey,” he said.

“I also urge local drivers to be mindful that the heavy vehicle drivers using our road system as a detour are not familiar with the area.

“Please give these vehicles extra space and consider that while the road ahead might be clear to overtake, an unexpected pothole or damage could appear in front of you so I again stress, please drive to the conditions.”

In his conclusion, the mayor said the Coolamon council was conscious of the importance of the shire’s road network and would be working hard to repair the damage caused by the current storm and flooding emergency.

Follow council’s Facebook page for updates or visit the council website.

Junee Road Closures

• Loma Langi Lane
• Allawah
• Sandy Beach
• Moss Lane
• Dirnasser Road
• Wantiool Road
• Junee reef
• Kiaree Road
• Macaulays Lane
• River Road
• Eulomo Settlement Road
• Retreat Road
• Old Cootamundra
• Wantabadgery Road
• Combaning Road

Visit the Junee Council page for frequent updates on road conditions.

Temora road closures

Temora Shire Council said following downstream flow of recent rainfall on Monday 31 October across the Temora Shire LGA, drivers were urged to use caution travelling and allow extra travel time for all travel.

“Local roads will be assessed for damage prior to being opened with council urging residents to avoid non-essential travel on unsealed roads in Temora Shire over the coming days,” Temora Council said in a statement.

The council said Trungley Hall Road was passable for local residents accessing properties, however council would be keeping this road closed while Mary Gilmore Way and Morangarell Road were closed.

• Mary Gilmore Way – closed between Barmedman and Grenfell (impassable and pavement damaged
• Newell Highway is closed between West Wyalong and Forbes. Detour is via Burley Griffin Way from the Newell Highway West of Ariah Park back to the Hume Highway
• Morangarell Road (water over road and pavement damaged)
• Trungley Hall Road (water over road)
• Thanowring Road
• Thanowring School Road
• Rodways Lane
• Bartondale Road
• Back Ariah Park Road
• Walkers Road
• Garvins Road
• Pringles Road
• Trevaskis Lane
• Bartondale Road
• Howards Road
• Grogan Road
• Fraters Speedway
• Davidsons Road
• Cedar Road
• Booths Road
• Doolans Lane
• Baldwins Rd (causeway)
• Boginderra Road
• Chellington Road
• Goeschs Lane
• Tungley Hall Post Office Road
• Heinrichs Road
• Schlunkes Road
• Traegers Road
• Reynolds Lane
• Combaning School Road
• Sinclairs Road
• Donaldsons Lane
• Trigalong Road
• Wynds Lane
• Leonards Road
• News Road
• Schmidts Road
• Slingers Road
• Speirs Lane
• Gaunts Lane
• Mandamah Road
• Hartwigs Road
• Taylors Road
• Schuberts Road
• Back Mimosa Road
• Glynburn Road
• Mandamah Forest Road
• Bundawarrah Road Gravel section
• Trewins Lane
• Research Station Road
• Springdam Road
• Hauslers Road
• Terlichs Road
• Dairy Street
• Thornes Road
• Fergusons Road
• Fishers Road
• Coddingtons Lane
• Wallundry Road
• Dinga Dingi Road
• Mortons Road
• Wilsons Road
• Boyds Road
• Pine Lodge Road
• Reynolds Lane
• Regans Road
• Rees Road
• Wests Road
• Shoards Road
• Nixons Road
• Slingers Road
• Wells Road
• Grants Lane
• Kellows Road
• McLeods Road

Burley Griffin Way and Goldenfields Way are now open.

For Burley Griffin Way and Goldfields Way updates refer to Live Traffic.

For council and regional roads refer to council’s Disaster Dashboard noting some minor council roads may not be shown on the map as closed.

Visit the Temora Shire Facebook page for real-time updates.