Major flooding of the Murrumbidgee River at Narrandera is having such a detrimental effect on local business that some have been forced to close their doors.

One of the main problems these businesses are facing is delivery trucks being unable to access the town due to flood-affected roads being closed.

One business which has been badly affected this week was the Early Opener, which could have temporarily changed its name to the Early Closer on Monday.

The popular cafe in East Street failed to get enough supplies delivered last weekend and had to close their doors at 11am instead of the usual closing time of 2pm.

The cafe’s owner Michelle Russell had no option but to close the business following the morning rush.

“We had to close early because we couldn’t get our delivery through last Friday,” she said.

“We got through the morning thank goodness but we just ran out of stock. We had no chicken schnitzels or frozen food.

“The delivery truck usually comes from Finley but it couldn’t get through due to flooding closing roads, but we got a delivery through from Wagga on Tuesday to keep us going.”

Mrs Russell faces an anxious wait on more supplies arriving tomorrow (Friday).

“Even the suppliers are saying they are struggling to get deliveries and there’s been a lot of times when we just can’t get a full delivery,” she said.

“We’ve went for weeks without a full supply of eggs, bacon and chickens.

“It didn’t help when the company in Melbourne where we get the dim sims was under water.

“I’m assuming we’ll be able to get a delivery from Finley on Friday and we’ll hopefully get back to normal.”

Some of the larger businesses in Narrandera have also been hindered due to the road closures hampering deliveries, as well as customers being unable to travel to the store from out of town.

Narrandera IGA owner Jigar Patel has experienced delivery setbacks and has noticed a reduced flow of customers, but realises the situation could be worse.

“We are facing a little bit of a delay in delivery due to flooding,” Mr Patel said.

“Flooding has had an impact on businesses as there has not been many travellers.

“Still, in Narrandera it is okay compared to other towns such as Walgett etc.”

Vinnie’s Fruitz owner Vince Mercuri is also experiencing a range of problems associated with the recent flooding.

“Lots of companies won’t deliver into the area, other freight companies put charges up in price and won’t guarantee delivery service,” Mr Mercuri said.

“Road closures have had an effect on all businesses ie cafés, pubs, service stations and caterers, so if their sales are down, ours will be also; it’s about supply and demand.”

Mr Mercuri said it was not only flooded roads which were negatively impacting his business.

He believes local farmers being hamstrung in planting crops for the future could lead to a shortage of certain foodstuffs.

“With a lot of our main suppliers in the Riverina, stocks have perished in the ground due to weather and lack of workers,” he said.

“We’re not short of anything at the moment but quality is poor and next year, due to farms not being able to plant, stock will be in short supply.

“Speaking to my cherry supplier in Young, his cherries are starting to split and they’re green so they’re no good for retail sales – only good for jam and there’s also a shortage of peaches, plums and apricots in the Riverina.

“On top of all that (it doesn’t help) with the media talking up fuel prices and with power costs and the cost of living, people are cutting back.”

Like many local business owners, Mr Mercuri is literally riding out the storm with the hope that the rain subsides and drier weather is forecast.

Rescuers join forces in flood effort

The Narrandera Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA) members have been busy helping the SES during recent flood events around Narrandera.

Narrandera VRA captain Alastair Macdonald encouraged motorists to be vigilant when driving near flood affected areas. Two vehicles had to be rescued from floods at Gillenbah last week.

“Over the past week river levels have fallen about 400 millimetres and although roads may look okay to navigate, the NSW SES, along with Roads and Maritime Services, have asked that people please avoid driving through any water on the roads until engineer assessments can be made on the condition of them,” Mr Macdonald said.

“There has been a swift water team from Fire and Rescue NSW in town the past week and they have been conducting any flood rescues in the area.

“The sandbagging efforts have been going well so far. Many residents have been collecting sandbags as required from the Narrandera VRA shed on Irrigation Way.

“We are asking the community to please only take what you require as we need to spread the allocated bags to as many people as possible.”

SES Narrandera is also asking those people collecting sandbags to use the QR code which is on signs at the collection point.

More wet weather has been forecast for Narrandera and the surrounding areas over the coming days. Mr Macdonald urged locals to listen to reports from the SES and Narrandera Shire Council in relation to road closures.

“Over the next few weeks rain is forecast, so the flooding could likely continue with conditions changing,” he said. “If it is flooded, forget it.”

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 17 November 2022.