HUNTER Valley landholders are advised to move their livestock and fodder to higher ground with further rain forecast for the region this weekend.
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The district is forecast to receive up to 10mm today, 10mm to 20mm on Saturday and up to 5mm on Sunday, which would top up already overflowing waterways and paddocks.
Hunter Local Land Services (LLS) said landholders, who are still mopping up after last week's flood, should act early and move stock, fodder and their pets to safe, high ground.
"Farming communities and the animals they look after are vulnerable following the floods of last week, so we are urging landholders to take precautions in case of more localised flooding," said Hunter LLS general manager Brett Miners.
"We are also urging landholders to ensure their fodder is safely stored in case of more flooding."
A mild to moderate floodwatch warning has been issued for the Manning River valley, including Gloucester and the Paterson and Williams River valleys, in the Lower Hunter.
Landholders should call the Contact the Agriculture and Emergency hotline for all animal and agricultural services on 1800 814 647
Onshore winds and rain will increase along the NSW coast as a trough deepens offshore from the northern NSW, the Bureau of Meterolgy said.
Rain is expected across the eastern seaboard in the coming days.
An East Coast low will form within this trough on Friday near southeast Queensland and is expected to move south to the Mid North Coast by Sunday.
Cold fronts are expected to cross the state during Tuesday and Wednesday.
More than 7000 hectares of land throughout the Hunter is still inundated with water following the recent storms and floods which hit Newcastle, Port Stephens, Maitland and Cessnock.
LLS and the Department of Primary Industries are managing risks to public health or residences from dead animals.
More than 140 livestock carcasses to date and the numbers are expected to increase significantly as flood waters recede.
“Animals that have died as a result of the flooding in the Hunter need to be disposed of in a safe manner to protect human health and local water quality, and to avoid spreading disease,” Mr Miners said.
He said there are limitations on the numbers of dead animals local that can be accepted by local waste facilities.
“Farmers who are disposing of dead livestock themselves are urged to contact the NSW hotline… so that we can advise them where to take the carcasses.”
Farmers with animal emergencies or requiring animal rescues should contact the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 immediately.
Other key contacts
NSW State Emergency Service 13 25 00
Rural Assistance Authority 1800 678 593
Disaster Welfare Assistance 1800 018 444
