The City of Launceston expect flood repairs to run into the millions of dollars for infrastructure damage within the municipality.
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The prediction from general manager Robert Dobrzynski came as the State Emergency Service advised Invermay residents that it was safe to return to their homes
But the State Emergency Service has warned of that the state’s swollen waterways remained dangerous and unpredictable even after the next few days of predicted rain stops falling.
“Flood waters will remain dangerous even if they appear to be calm on the surface,” it said in a statement.
“There is a significant amount of debris in the rivers and it is imperative that people do not enter flood waters under any circumstances.
“It is anticipated that floodwaters will take up to a week to recede.”
Hydro Tasmania also issued a warning for people to avoid inland boating in its lakes that were full and spilling over dam walls.
The flood’s damage tally yesterday counted 173 confirmed flood-affected structures, of which 42 were homes, and almost 400 requests for emergency assistance since Sunday.
Evacuation centres at Prospect, Newnham, Longford and Latrobe remained open on Wednesday night.
Premier Will Hodgman said that the state and federal governments were working together to ensure the state received adequate assistance.
“And we expect to make an announcement about further support very soon,” he said.
The flooding of the Tamar River and its tributaries the North and South Esk rivers had threatened more than 3000 residents in the Invermay area over the past two days.
The area’s only protection was the city’s $60 million flood levee network.
Launceston Flood Authority chairman Alan Birchmore said the authority was "pleased but not in the least surprised" that the concrete and earth levees were able to contain the floodwaters.
Northern council areas Launceston, Northern Midlands and Meander Valley yesterday started to assess flood damage revealed torn up roads, washed out bridges, and assorted damage to public assets started to be revealed.
Mr Dobrzynski said council officers would have to wait until next week before it could do a detailed damage assessment.
“There will be an extensive list to work through and the final figure for repair and replacement is likely to run to the millions of dollars,” he said.
The Charles Street bridge remains closed.