Darling river residents say they are still "scratching heads" after a drop-in session was held in the town's hall to inform residents of the flooding at Menindee in far west NSW
The SES has given a prepare-to-evacuate order for those in and around low-lying areas, and the town is expected to have moderate flooding until mid-January next year.
Representatives from the Central Darling Shire, Murray Darling Basin Authority, Water NSW, SES and police were among those in attendance.
Barkindji woman Barbara Quayle said the session was a "waste of time", and the material provided was inaccessible.
"They showed us graphs and information I didn't understand … I still don't know what's going on," she said.
"That was a waste of money and resources. They have people still walking away scratching their heads."
The ABC spoke with more than a dozen Menindee residents who were frustrated following the drop-in session.
People also enquired about issues like power, road accessibility and future town water levels.
Calls for better communication, housing support
Ms Quayle is worried about her relatives, including her 82-year-old mother Patricia Quayle and her niece.
She is calling for better communication, as well as accommodation support from the Central Darling Shire Council for her family, who lives near the water.
"One person can be telling her [mum] one thing, and another person can be telling her another," Ms Quayle said.
"Unless … you know what the megalitres and gigalitres are, you don't understand."
Menindee faced previous floods in 2012.
'Doing our best'
Central Darling Shire Council, general manager Greg Hill, said he received mixed responses from the public on the event.
"Everyone's going to have a different view on how it [information] is communicated," he said.
"I think we're doing our best with the information we got, and we're trying to communicate as best we can."
Mr Hill said there was emergency housing available for those who were displaced by the flooding.
"There's accommodation options at the Menindee Hotel, and we can look at other alternative accommodation as well," he said.
Mr Hill said having a drop-in session was the best option to ensure everyone could approach people about their problems.
"People who actually need the information won't be able to have an opportunity to speak in a community meeting," he said.
Communication with emergency services
Far west NSW SES division commander Gavin Arnold said eight new volunteers were expected to arrive on Monday.
"We're making sure the community residents are being looked after," he said.
"It [the drop-in session] is important for us as an agency and for all agencies, so they're well prepared for the future."
Barrier Police District Inspector Andrew Mensforth said officers were assisting with being a point of communication and monitoring flood-affected locations.
"There's a bit of frustration here in town, which is understandable, so information or lack of information can create that," he said.
"There's mixed messaging. So, we're here to straighten out these messages."
Concerns on isolation
Barkindji woman Cindy Bates has been living in Menindee for 58 years and is concerned about being cut off.
"We don't want to go under, and we've never been under. We don't want to be isolated," she said.
But Ms Bates said despite the flooding, she was still glad to see the river full.
"The river has made me feel happy to go out and fish. That's what everyone comes here for," she said.
Increase in water outflows
The ABC understands Water NSW will be "incrementally increasing" the outflows downstream of Menindee's Weir 32 from 25,000 gigalitres to 36,000GL.
Community member Graeme McCrabb said while the decision was welcomed, there could have been more proactivity throughout the year with water releases.
"I think the ball's been dropped on making airspace. We don't have to be at 36 [thousand GL] here in town," he said.
"Jumping from 25[GL] to 36[GL] is a 30 per cent increase and shows a lack of thought process coming into a triple La Nina."
Earlier in the week, it was predicted the river would reach 9.4m, but a recent operational update from Water NSW stated it would increase to 9.6m over the next two weeks.
Currently, the river level is 9.26metres.
