Misinformation, rumour and general confusion about what was happening on our roads on Wednesday afternoon left Bathurst in chaos as people panicked about whether or not they should go home or risk being cut off by rising flood waters.
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A rumour that the Great Western Highway was going to be closed by police at 3pm prompted a rush to cross the river separating Kelso from Bathurst.
Country Energy, which is based at Kelso and employs around 300 people, said while there was no official notification the highway would be closing, employees were receiving phone calls from worried friends and family.
Community relations manager Joanne Elms said staff were allowed to leave if they wished. Many did not want to risk being separated from their children.
However, plenty of other staff lived at Kelso and had children in schools nearby, and they were less concerned.
“As a company we would like to have a direct link with the SES to ensure we had accurate information,” Ms Elms said.
“It would put employees’ minds at rest.”
Devro, another large employer, has around 200 workers at its Kelso factory.
Again, the building was rife with rumours suggesting the highway would be closed.
Human resources officer Darren Cope-
land said management rang 2BS and were told the details were being broadcast.
“We had a radio at work so we started listening. From our point of view it was not a big issue but we did allow staff to leave if they felt it was necessary.”
Bathurst Regional Council was issuing media alerts throughout the day, but no information about local road closures was available on its website.
State Emergency Service media liaison David McKenzie said they received a large number of calls on Wednesday from members of the public who wanted to know what was going on. He believes more information needs to get out into the community regarding road closures.
However, he said a police hotline has now been set up to provide information about flooding and road closures in the Central West. This Public Information Inquiry Centre hotline can be accessed by calling 1800 227 228.
Those needing emergency assistance should still contact the SES on 132 500.
Mr McKenzie said showers with the
possibility of storms are expected for the remainder of the week. Significant rainfall expected on Monday and Tuesday could lead to further flooding.
While Bathurst Regional Council has responsibility for local roads, it is the Roads and Traffic Authority that is responsible for the Great Western Highway.
A spokesperson for the RTA’s Transport Management Centre said in the event of a major road closure the media are alerted.
He said up-to-the-minute information about any closures relating to the Great Western Highway is now available to the public via a call centre operated by the Transport Management Centre on 132 701 or by accessing www.livetraffic.com.au.
“Yesterday was a unique situation – there was flooding everywhere,” he said.
“There was a lot of information out there and not all of it was correct. We would like to let people know accurate information is accessible 24 hours a day.”
