Representatives of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s (DPE) water group visited Hillston, Hay and Moulmein recently, gathering first-hand information to inform the newest iteration of floodplain management plans for the Murray Darling Basin.

The Murrumbidgee River at Hay peaked at 8.68 metres on Friday and is currently falling, while the Lachlan River reached 3.22 last Thursday. Both rivers failed to meet the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) revised predictions.

A visit to the village of Booligal last week is a lesson in calm resilience, as townspeople and landholders alike resolutely go about their business, as the Lachlan River continues to rise around them.

Our town is surrounded by floods and road closures as wet weather and rising rivers across the region dominate the news, but Hay is well prepared, according to Hay Shire Council General Manager David Webb.

Instead of receiving her insurance renewal, Tocumwal resident Ms Clarke was shocked to receive a blunt email from the insurer, dumping her as a customer.