The NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson has urged graziers to report any water damage and stock losses to the Department of Primary Industries. Ms. Hodgkinson said the information will be vital for the Department to plan and provide both long term and short term help to affected properties.

Due to the slow movement of the flood waters and the recent extraordinary rain falls in the Wilcannia and Ivanhoe areas, movement around properties may be affected for many weeks.

This may mean a longer than normal period where emergency responses such as fodder drops and aerial surveillance will be required. It has been reported that 30,000 sheep have been stranded in the Ivanhoe area alone.

NSW Water Commissioner David Harris has warned landholders that they face severe penalties for the construction of unauthorised banks and levies. Mr. Harris said while he understands the landholders need to protect crops, property and stock the construction of such levies may impact on neighbouring properties and those downstream by redirecting flood waters.

Mr. Harris said that the approval of levies and banks requires hydraulic assessment and this is not a process that can be done overnight, particularly on the western NSW floodplains.

Penalties for offences associated with these type of works range from $1.1 million and $132,00 for each day the offence continues to $247,500 and $66,000 for individuals.