The Wagga Beach COVID-19 testing clinic has been relocated as flooding of the Murrumbidgee River threatens to send the riverside area and carpark underwater.
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Laverty Pathology who run the drive-through clinic confirmed the site had been moved to the Riverina Playhouse carpark on the corner of Tarcutta Street and Cross Street late on Wednesday evening.
"The Laverty testing clinic at Wagga Beach was moved due to flooding in the area," a spokesperson said. "We initiated the move when we became aware of the risk. "
"The change in location has not impacted testing as we were able to mobilise quickly and the new site is a short drive from the original location."
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The pathology company said they would use social media and the MLHD to advise patients of the new location.
"Right now, traffic through this site is steady and manageable, however, if this changes, we are able to add extra resources if and when required," they said.
The Wagga Beach location became unusable this week following dam releases tipped to send the Murrumbidgee River's water levels to a height of 7 metres.
Mayor Greg Conkey said the relocation could encourage residents to come forward for testing more readily.
"The testing clinic being moved is good," Cr Conkey said. "It's a great location and more of a high profile area so it should be a positive move that people can see it driving down Tarcutta Street."
The flooding comes as weeks of heavy rain pushed Burrinjuck Dam and Blowering Dam to their highest water levels in five years.
On Monday, Burrinjuck was at full capacity and spilling with Water NSW calling an "urgent meeting" with key stakeholders including Wagga City Council to map out a plan to create airspace. It was decide the river will be raised through controlled releases until enough water has been cleared.
Cr Conkey said he was confident the flooding situation is being managed but had reservations about waiting until now to start.
"It is being closely monitored by state water so hopefully they're controlling the situation," he said. "I have been a little concerned that a couple of weeks ago they were aware of a rain event coming through and I would have thought they would have discharged a bit more from the dam then, but they didn't."
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