Minister for Emergency Services Mike Gallagher made the announcement on Thursday afternoon and included Tenterfield alongside the local government areas of Moree, Narabri and Gwydir.

Tenterfield Shire Council acting general manager Glenn Inglis said heavy rain around Australia Day had damaged roads and bridges in the eastern parts of the shire.

The initial damage bill was estimated to be about $280,000 but Mr Inglis said he expected it to increase.

“There were some parts still under water so we weren’t able to make an assessment of those areas,” he said.

“My expectation is that the $280,000 figure will rise, probably to over $300,000.”

Mr Inglis said the declaration would allow council to access grant funding that would cover 100 per cent of emergency work, 75 per cent of work up to $116,000, and 100 per cent of work above that to restore roads to pre-flood conditions.

The local branch of the State Emergency Service (SES) said they had only been required at two flood assistance calls, both of which involved helping people cross flooded causeways.

However a number of members have been on standby to help crews in Moree and Tamworth.

Member for Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay said while some areas such as Moree faced mass evacuations, the main impact in the Northern Tablelands had been road closures, loss of crops and infrastructure damage.

"The declaration of Natural Disasters by the Minister for Emergency Services is a welcome step to provide additional assistance to councils, business owners and individuals adversely impacted by the recent ongoing wet weather," Mr Torbay said.

"While parts of the state are facing isolation due to floods, the ongoing wet weather across this region is causing further damage to roads, bridges and farm infrastructure not yet fully recovered from damaging weather late last year.