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.