Outback businesses suffer as Live Traffic NSW fails to update road status

Record rainfall in the far west of New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland has finally cleared, allowing the Silver City Highway and other routes to reopen after months of closure. However, the Live Traffic NSW website and app continue to show many of these roads as closed or unavailable to all vehicles, because the system only marks a road open when it can be used by any vehicle. Outback entrepreneurs such as Mia Degoumois of Packsaddle Roadhouse, Rebecca Young of the Milparinka Hotel and Kathy Brown of Wanaaring Store say the outdated information has slashed tourist traffic and cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Transport for NSW officials stress safety is the priority and note that crews are still inspecting and repairing damaged sections while seeking ways to make disruption data more reliable. Travelers like Tony Bond from Yass now depend on Facebook groups and direct calls to roadhouses to plan trips, highlighting the gap between official updates and on-the-ground reports. The Pastoralists' Association of West Darling’s Sam Beven also criticized the platform, urging more real-time monitoring.