AUSTRALIA
I PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 15 February 1976
VISIT TO NEW SOUTH WALES FLOODS
The Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Fraser, visited flood
stricken areas of north western New South Wales today.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Mrs Fraser, and
by the Minister for Health, Ralph Hunt and the Deputy
Director General of the Natural Disasters Organisation,
Mr. R. Vardanega.
He visited Moree and Walgett, where he talked with local
government officials and with representatives of the NSW
State Emergency Service.
Mr Fraser's aircraft, an R. A. A. F. HS 748, overflew the
flood areas of the North West at an altitude of about
500 feet.
The aerial tour ranged over Goondiwindi, Mungindi,
Bogabilla, Collarenebri, Boomi and Wee Waa.
About one third of the houses in Moree were entered by
floodwaters, which are now receding. Mr Fraser toured
Moree and talked with townspeople whose houses had been flooded.
In Walgett, the town is readying itself for the full force of
the floodwaters which have not yet arrived.
Officials say that stock losses in the North West are extensive.
Although no figures have yet been worked out, sheep losses
are described as huge and cattle losses as drastic.
Flying over the area, the Prime Minister saw flooding extending
to the horizon, cattle and sheep huddled on high ground or
standing in floodwaters, and the bodies of sheep, washed
against fences.
Mr Fraser said emergency services appeared to be working
satisfactorily, although he would be taking upmatters raised
with him.
They concerned the question of an emergency-bridge to link
Walgett with Lightning Ridge, improving the airstrips
at Moree and Walgett, and of the cost of fodder airlifted
to floodbound properties.
mr Fra-ser said the Commonwealth would be participating fully
with the States in the relief measures being undertaken
a:ñ d the reconstruction which T; ould be necessary.
He said in the past assistance had been available for
the relief of personal Ciardship, to help local government
with public works, and in the form of loans to farmers
at concessional rates of interest.
He said a decision would be made quickly on the question of
fodder drops for starving stock.
In the past farmers had paid the full cost of the hay: with
delivery by air drop being provided as a relief measure.
However, the current high cost of fodder, combined with
low returns from livestock, indicated that this might not be
sufficient during the current floods.