The main freight route from the east into WA is closed due to flooding, and could remain that way for several days.
Peak state body the Western Roads Federation (WRF) sent a note to industry yesterday advising that the 709km stretch of Eyre Highway between Norseman and Eucla was closed.
Floodwaters have also blocked both the Trans-Australian Railway line.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services deputy assistant commissioner Garry Gifford told ABC News that the roads and railway line could be closed for up to five days.
“With the forecast which the [Bureau of Meteorology] has provided us with regards to the unprecedented weather which is coming through the southern interior at the moment, we’re certainly planning towards three and five days at this point of view,” he told ABC Regional Drive on Monday afternoon.
The drought-breaking rain has also closed the following roads:
- Great Northern Highway between Yurabi Road and Bridge Street
- Victoria Highway between Buntine Highway and the WA border
- Gibb River Road between Lennard River and Great Northern Highway
- Marble Bar Road between Roy Hill Mine and Great Northern Highway
- Leonora Laverton Road between Laverton and Leonora
Main Roads WA said all drivers should “exercise extreme caution” and check the travel map for updates as the situation is “rapidly evolving”.
WRF said supply chains are not likely to be impacted greatly by this latest weather event with supermarkets and other retailers “holding plenty of stock”.
But in another recent note to industry, WRF Cam Dumesny reminded members that the industry still doesn’t have a national freight resilience plan five years after the previous federal government launched the National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy in 2019.
A strategy review process began in June last year with a “refreshed strategy” promised in the first half of 2024.