Current situation

North Coast and Hunter Region Floods

Current situation

Communities throughout the North Coast and Hunter regions of New South Wales are currently facing significant flooding due to ongoing heavy rainfall. River levels have risen, exacerbating the flooding conditions in affected areas. These conditions are expected to persist, with more rainfall and rising floodwaters continuing to threaten local communities.

In the Hunter region, flooding has resulted in the closure of some key transport routes, isolating some low-lying farms and properties. Rainfall totals have been substantially above average and forecasts indicate that heavy rain will persist for several more days, prolonging the flooding risk.

The North Coast, including areas such as the Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, and further south, is also experiencing minor to moderate flooding. Rivers in these areas are continuing to rise, with flood warnings still in effect. Communities in these flood-prone regions are urged to remain vigilant and follow all emergency advice. Properties near riverbanks and low-lying areas that are susceptible to flash flooding remain at the highest risk.

Landholders requiring assistance with stock or animal welfare due to flooding can call the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647. The hotline is operational Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.

Producers and landholders are encouraged to check the official warnings on the NSW SES website or Hazards Near Me app for exact locations and maps.

Western NSW Floods

Current situation

Communities in Western NSW are urged to remain vigilant due to significant flooding and further flood risks that are still possible following the movement of floodwaters from Queensland.

Significant flooding has also occurred in the north and east of the state following widespread rainfall. As a result, isolated minor to moderate flooding continues across the north-west and east.

In Western NSW, the Paroo and Warrego Rivers are seeing river levels rise as the significant floodwater from inland Queensland approaches the NSW border. Major flooding is now forecast with levels similar to the 1990 and 2010 floods, with further rises possible.

The peak of the flooding is not anticipated until the second week of April with support to isolated landholders expected to last at least 6-10 weeks.

The Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area (AASFA) has activated a State Control Centre (SCC) at Orange with Forward Command Post’s operating within the North West (Narrabri) and Western LLS (Broken Hill) regions to support the SES response and AASFA requests for assistance.

Producers and landholders are encouraged to check the official warnings on the NSW SES website or Hazards Near Me app for exact locations and maps.

How to prepare

Some preparations producers can make include the following:

Move livestock and horses to higher ground on or off your property and ensure they have access to clean water and food. Visit How to prepare pets and livestock in an emergency for more information.
Your animals are your responsibility
Remove pumps from waterways
Move equipment where possible – tractors, farming equipment, utes and other vehicles
Ensure that 3-7 days of fodder is on hand
Secure moveable objects such as shipping containers and bale feeders
Remove debris from paddocks (irrigation pipes, timber, scrap, metal, tools, etc.)
Store all chemicals securely and out of potential floodwater
If you are feeling distressed, Lifeline is available to support you. Call 13 11 14.

Caring for your animals

Evacuation centres

During an emergency, evacuation centres may be opened to provide emergency support for you and your animals. You must have your animal emergency bag with you. Remember, these sites may not always be available or suitable for the needs of your animals, so other options are essential.

Being prepared so that you and your pets are ready for any emergency will ensure you can act quickly. You should be ready to take your pet and your emergency grab and go bag with you. You will need all the essential items your pets need to be cared for and comfortable.

Bowls, plus food and water for 3-7 days
Current picture of you and your pet together
Bedding, heating pads for reptiles
Important documents including registration and vaccination
Collar with ID tag, harness or leash
Medicines, medical records and pet first aid kit
Familiar items such as favourite toys
Toileting requirements, including litter trays, bags, etc

For information on the evacuation centres including opening times and locations for Northern NSW, visit Evacuation Centres | NSW SES.

Travelling Stock Reserves

Livestock owners can gain emergency access to LLS-managed Travelling Stock Reserves (TSRs) on higher ground, allowing them to move livestock for emergency refuge and grazing.

Customers can locate TSRs using the Travelling Stock Reserves- State Classification Map. Contact LLS on 1300 795 299 for further information and advice on accessing TSRs during emergencies.

TSR use during emergencies:

Livestock owners may use TSRs free of charge for up to 7 days during a declared emergency
Beyond 7 days, a short-term permit must be obtained from LLS
Bulls are not permitted with the herd
LLS does not provide veterinary support, food or water to TSRs during the emergency. These welfare needs are the responsibility of the livestock owner
Customers are advised to inspect the TSR prior to attending with stock, to ensure the Reserve is ‘fit for purpose’
The first-arriving stock owner does not have exclusive use and may not exclude other stock owners
Stock owners must report their presence on the TSR within 24 hours of arrival or departure to support biosecurity and resource management. This can be done:
- in writing to tsr.northcoast@lls.nsw.gov.au or by calling 1300 795 299
- provide name, contact number, HRN and/or PIC, stock type and number, arrival and departure dates

Animal Safe Places

During an emergency, where animals cannot be accommodated with owners at commercial facilities or at an evacuation centre, an Animal Safe Place (ASP) can be identified. An ASP will not provide human welfare services.

The suitability of each ASP is dependent on the current situation and the nature of your livestock. If you require access to an ASP, please call the AASFA hotline on 1800 816 614 and talk to us about the right location for your needs.

You are responsible for your animals' care at an ASP. Make sure you:

consider if your animals could shelter elsewhere
register yourself and your animals at this site
alert us if any animal is sick or dangerous
always keep your animals restrained and calm
provide food and water for your animals
attend to animals’ anti-social behaviour such as barking
supply medications and arrange veterinary care
check and clean your animals’ accommodation
exercise your animals if practical
remember that you can sign out to remove your animals at any time.

In any emergency, preparation is key. Ensure your flood and fire emergency plans include the safety and welfare of your animals, and don't solely rely on ASP’s.

ASP’s are not always available, so make sure your emergency plan for your animals includes alternative arrangements with neighbours, family or friends.

If you require access to an Animal Safe Place, please contact the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647 and talk to us about the right location for your needs.

You must ensure that you call ahead to make sure that the animal safe place is available and that your animals can be accommodated.

With thoughtful preparation and cooperation, you can ensure the safety and wellbeing of your animals during emergencies.

Fodder

Emergency fodder may be supplied immediately following a disaster when an animal welfare issue may arise. Where possible, landholders should make every effort to source and deliver fodder themselves - if it safe to do so.

Where stock is isolated and facing an animal welfare issue, due to floods or public road infrastructure failure, Agricultural and Animal Services (AASFA) may coordinate the delivery of landholder’s fodder to stock - if it is safe to do so.

Landholders should source and purchase fodder themselves, except in exceptional circumstances where fodder may be supplied by AASFA to allow time for the landholder time to source alternative arrangements i.e. agistment, sale, and purchasing of fodder. Each request for fodder is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Emergency fodder may only be provided where there is an immediate animal welfare need. We also take your personal circumstances, and other factors into account.

Please contact the Agriculture and Animal Services Hotline 1800 814 647 to discuss your circumstances and make a request.

For more information

In life-threatening emergencies always call 000 (triple zero).
If you require assistance due to flood and storm emergencies, please phone NSW SES (State Emergency Services) on 132 500.
General enquiries related to the Cyclone and associated impacts can be referred to the Public Information and Inquiry Centre on 1800 227 228
For more information and the latest warnings and bulletins, visit the Bureau of Meteorology.
People should not risk their own safety - never walk, ride, or drive through floodwater or enter floodwaters to retrieve animals, property, or belongings.

We work with Local Land Services (LLS) and other agencies and organisations to support the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) and assist affected primary producers by coordinating animal welfare relief services for livestock, wildlife and companion animals.

Recovery

After an emergency, primary producers and the community can implement a range of actions, and access services and assistance to aid recovery.

Recovery support service and information

Report storm or flood damage via the online natural disaster damage survey

Primary producers should report flood-related damage including stock and fodder losses, damage to crops, pastures, fencing and other farm infrastructure through the Natural Disaster Damage Survey. This will ensure that we understand the severity and regional distribution of the damage and can target resources and assistance in the appropriate areas.

Local government areas in NSW declared Natural Disasters are eligible for assistance under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). Additional assistance measures for primary producers are available for eligible areas. To apply for a concessional loan or freight subsidy, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593.

Information on local recovery activities or advice on pastures, livestock, cropping and environment recovery can be sought from your Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.

Key contacts

Reporting emergencies	Telephone
Life threatening emergencies, including floods	000
NSW State Emergency Service (SES)	For emergency help in floods and storms call 132 500
Additional information	Telephone
Local Land Services (LLS)	1300 795 299
NSW Rural Assistance Authority	1800 678 593
Current natural disaster declarations	02 9212 9200