Major flooding is continuing in some parts of New South Wales, while residents in others begin assessing the damage as rain finally eases.
The death toll from flooding in NSW rose to nine on Wednesday when police located the body of a man believed to be a delivery driver who had been missing since Tuesday.
Meanwhile, residents in some flood-hit areas previously subject to evacuation orders have been told they can begin returning to their homes.
They are urged to take caution as they do, with the SES warning flood damage may be widespread and utilities may not be operating.
People should ensure their homes are safe before entering, the SES said.
Flooding continues in the Hunter Region, with major flooding at Singleton on Wednesday afternoon.
The Hunter River is expected to bring moderate flooding as the peak passes through Maitland on Thursday.
The sun came out in Sydney with rain finally easing on Wednesday, but the flood risk remains with waters receding slowly over the coming days.
A number of areas in the Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment are seeing levels worse than in March 2021.
The clean-up continues in the Northern Rivers region, with more ADF personnel arriving and Prime Minister Scott Morrison visiting the region on Wednesday.
The prime minister used the trip to announce he would ask Governor-General David Hurley to approve the declaration of a national emergency in NSW and Queensland.
He said the floods in Lismore were a "major catastrophe", more severe than previous flood events the town was used to.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese is expected to head to northern NSW on Thursday.
Lismore councillor Elly Bird told AAP the town needs structural engineers to assess thousands of flood-damaged homes and buildings.
"We're going to be in this for many years to come, we need significant community funding to flow," she said.
Recovery centres have been established in the Northern Rivers region, providing access to government agencies and support staff to help residents access funding packages, find housing and replace lost identification documents.
The six centres currently operating are at Ballina, Casino, Kyogle, Lismore, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah.
