Flood damaged tracks in formerly drought-affected grain region

<p>Next year’s grain harvest from New South Wales could be threatened should flood-damaged rail track in the centre of the state remain unfixed, farmers warn.</p> <p>Unseasonal rainfall hit central western NSW in the first two weeks of 2008, prompting parts to be declared natural disaster zones.</p> <p>The flooding wiped out a section of track between Ungarie and Lake Cargelligo, about 180 km southwest of Parkes.</p> <p>New South Wales Farmers Association president Jock Laurie said urgent repairs were needed to fix the line.</p> <p>&#8220In many sections, the line is now suspended in the air, with hundreds of tonnes of rock washed away from underneath it &#8211 making it completely unusable,&#8221 Mr Laurie said. </p> <p>Rock ballast had been washed away and had also caused damage to local roads.</p> <p>The damaged track and roads will affect farmers looking to move grain in next year’s harvest.</p> <p>An extra 3,100 trucks would be needed to carry the grain, should the track not be repaired, Mr Laurie said.</p> <br />