Latest update on roads and floods at Narrabri (11/9/98)
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This note is to give Synthesis Workshop participants the current
information about the weather, floods and roads in the Narrabri area.
It is an updated version of the note sent on Tuesday 8 September.

Firstly, be assured that the Local Organising Committee is continually
monitoring weather and flood forecasts and the road conditions, and are
having daily discussions on the options for the Workshop.  We will try to
keep you informed.  All participants traveling to Narrabri should get the
latest information before leaving home from one of the contact numbers
listed below.

CONTACT numbers:
Observatory (ATCA)              (02) 6790 4000 (8am-4pm. M-F)
Tasso Tzioumis                  (02) 6790 4036 (evenings & weekend)
Dave McConnell                  (02) 6793 5289 (evenings & weekend)

[ATCA control room  (02) 6790 4032/4033 or (02) 6795 9274, if others
cannot be reached.]

Also consult our www page (http://www.atnf.csiro.au/news/synthesis/) 
for the latest information.


WEATHER 
The winter has been unusually wet and the expectation is that rainy
periods will continue to occur into the spring.  Currently (Friday
11/9/98) it is raining lightly and more rain is predicted over the
weekend!


FLOODS
The Namoi River peaked of 7.7 metres in Narrabri on Wednesday morning (9
September) with some flooding in town. It is now around 5m with no
flooding. However, if heavy rains fall in the region over the next few
days some flooding may eventuate next week.
Bohena Creek is still high and and our normal route between the
Observatory and town is closed to light traffic.

ROADS
i) Access to Narrabri.  
The highway between Gunnedah and Narrabri is still closed after Boggabri
but is expected to open tomorrow.  This may change if more heavy rain
falls.  We are unsure about road conditions in the Hunter Valley.  
Therefore you are advised to approach Narrabri via Coonabarabran or check
the road conditions before departing at one of the contact numbers above.  
>From Melbourne and Canberra this would be the normal approach up the
Newell Highway.  From Sydney, drive to Lithgow, then through Mudgee to
Coonabarabran.

ii) Access to the Observatory.  
The normal route from Narrabri to the site is closed and is expected to
remain so for weeks.

WE WILL DECIDE ON THE BEST ROUTE TO THE SITE ON MONDAY MORNING.  ALL
PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUESTED EITHER TO CATCH THE BUS FROM TOWN OR, IF
CONDITIONS PERMIT, FOLLOW THE BUS IN THEIR OWN VEHICLE.

Buses will be departing for the Observatory at 8.00 am on Monday morning
from the Bellview and the Albany motels.  Tommos Motor Lodge, the Kaputar
Motel and the Narrabri Motel & Caravan Park (Cabins) are all within a
short walking distance from the Albany.

Participants planning to drive to the Observatory on Sunday evening are
advised to seek  the latest road information from one of the contact
numbers above.

(Narrabri staff attending the workshop are requested to catch the normal
staff bus on Monday morning.)