Maitland state MP Jenny Aitchison is calling upon the NSW Government to declare her electorate a Natural Disaster zone following the “big wet” this week.
Hunter-based NSW SES crews, and other emergency services, have been kept busy in the Local Government Area (LGA) since heavy downpours hit the region at the weekend.
On Tuesday, neighbouring Cessnock was confirmed as one of 23 LGAs, in the state, to attain Natural Disaster status.
And, Ms Aitchison would like to see Maitland afforded the same concession.
“I’ve written to the NSW Premier, Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Federal Minister for Emergency Management seeking an immediate Natural Disaster Declaration for the Maitland LGA,” she said.
“Given the extent of this significant weather event my community has experienced to date, and the expectation that it will continue, with the possibility of moderate flooding, my community is begging for assistance.
“Already, we have seen destruction of local road infrastructure and property significantly damaged by severe weather.
“An area of concern, in particular, is the suburb of Gillieston Heights, who has been completely isolated overnight with access being cut at Testers Hollow on one side and at Cessnock Road/New England Highway on the other.
“I’m also extremely worried for the 100-plus residents in the Oakhampton area and more than 1,000 people who reside in Lorn who also could become isolated.”
Ms Aitchison said Maitland residents and businesses were desperate for assistance to ensure their communities and ventures could continue to survive.
“We already have local farmers suffering due to previous weather events and we are now dealing with the devastation of flooding once again,” she stated.
“It is essential that our community, businesses and Maitland City Council get flood relief as soon as possible.
“I have also requested that all available resources and assistance be given to our local emergency services as they deal with the impacts of these continuing severe weather systems.
“I’ll continue to work with the government, police, SES, council and other groups in our community to ensure our community’s safety.
“If residents have specific issues that they wish to raise with me, please email [email protected]”
As of Wednesday night, the following roads were closed:
- Lawlers Road, Phoenix Park is closed at the Phoenix Park Road end
- Louth Park Road intersection with Trappaud Road, Louth Park
- Fitzroy Street, East Maitland
- Anne Street, East Maitland
- Luskintyre Bridge, on Luskintyre Road, Luskintyre
- Melbourne Street, East Maitland (under rail bridge/Brisbane Street and Adam Street)
- Park Street, Maitland (corner of Park and Elgin Street)
- Luskintyre Road, Luskintyre
- Cultivation Road, South Maitland
- Pender Road, South Maitland
- Mcfarlanes Road, Morpeth
- Pywells Road, Luskintyre
- Bungaree Street, Telarah
- Allandale Road, Allandale
- Anambah Road, Gosforth
- Duckenfield Road, Berry Park
- Eales Road, Berry Park
- Pitnacree Road, Pitnacree
- Cessnock Road (closed at both ends, isolating Gillieston Heights)
- Hinton Road, Phoenix Park between Phoenix Park Road and the Hinton Bridge
- Louth Park Road, Louth Park closed from Reflection Drive to Gullivers Road
- Mount Dee Road at Junction Street, Telarah
- Woodberry Road, Millers Forest between Alnwick Road and Nilands Lane
- Testers Hollow, Gillieston Heights
- Scobies Lane, Oakhampton Heights
- Windermere Road, Windermere
- Brush Farm Road, Raworth
- Maitland Vale Road near the Luskintyre Road intersection, Lambs Valley
- Maitland Vale Road, Rosebrook (near Maitland Vale/Luksintyre RFS)
- Melville Ford Bridge
- Gullivers Lane, Louth Park
- Dickenson Road, Melville
