Wild weather cleanup
Wingecarribee Shire Council work crews and support staff worked until 10pm last night trying to keep roads open and safe for road users, returning at first light this morning to continue the work.
General Manager Jason Gordon said “We received over 140 calls about either partially or fully closed roads yesterday and reports are increasing as the winds continue.
“Our number one priority today is the removal of debris and opening of roads. We had our crews in at first light re-opening roads that could not safely be done last night, as well as checking our parks and footpaths for fallen branches and limbs.
“They are also responding to any additional calls that have come through this morning, working with emergency services and tree removal contractors as well as Endeavour Energy who is responsible for removing fallen power lines.
Several roads have had either large trees blocking them or power lines down in the trees requiring road closure, including:
- Jamberoo Road (large numbers of trees down in the Kiama Council area)
- Macquarie Pass (likely to be 24hours before it is re-opened)
- Penrose Road, Wingello
- Belmore Falls Road, Robertson
- Railway Parade & Sullivan Street, Burradoo
- Diamond Fields Road, Mittagong
- Myra Vale Road, Wildes Meadow
- Duke Street, Mittagong
- Mount Road, Bowral
- Roscoe Street, Mittagong (closed due to a sign on the Highlands Marketplace building coming loose)
Ellsmore Road at Exeter and Meryla Road in Moss Vale have been re-opened today however motorists are reminded to travel with extreme caution as branches and trees are still falling across roads.
As severe weather conditions and possible snowfalls are forecast as a strong cold front approaches this evening, Council crews will remain on duty.
All clean up work is being prioritised and we will be doing everything we can to return the shire to some normality as soon as possible. There will be much work in coming weeks once the winds have dropped to return and remove trees which have been simply pushed to the side to allow traffic through.
Council’s Customer Contact Centre is very busy fielding calls for assistance. If people wish to report fallen power lines or power outages they must call Endeavour Energy on 131 003. For damage to your property call the State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 for emergency assistance. For fallen trees on Council land and across roads, please contact Council on 4868 0888. Major roads are managed by the RTA however Council is working closely with the RTA and other agencies.
To find out about road closures across NSW view the Roads and Traffic Authority live traffic reports at www.rta.nsw.gov.au or call 132 701.