abc.net.au/news/cyclone-ellie-stuart-highway-flooding-northern-territory/101832788Concerns about food security and the possibility of major transport routes being cut have been raised as former tropical cyclone Ellie moves back over the Northern Territory this weekend.
Meteorologist Billy Lynch said the region could expect to see heavy rain, starting on Friday night and into the weekend.is not what we're expecting in the Northern Territory," Mr Lynch said. She said she was particularly concerned about the Stuart Highway, which had to be closed late last month due to flooding,"The Stuart Highway is holding up right at this moment, but ex-tropical Cyclone Ellie is moving back into the territory," she said.
She said flooding at Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia had meant trucks travelling between Perth and Darwin were having 3,500km added to their journey as they re-routed through South Australia and then up the Stuart Highway.However, she welcomed changes announced by federal Northern Australia Minister Madeleine King on Thursday, temporarily allowing trucks of up to 53.5 metres in length to travel on West Australian and South Australian roads.
Might be time for a 'Plan B' As regular flooding is looking possible on a regular basis, how about modular barges that can reopen roads. A 40m 80 tonne cap barge will move a triple road train in 2 loads or 6+ cars Whats it worth to save a 3500k detour?