Owners of the Dubbo to Tamworth pipe line, Australian Pipeline Trust (APA Group), said there was no risk of rupture.

“It is still safe and operating,” a company spokeswoman said.

Sand bags have been positioned to support the exposed pipe but the spokeswoman could not confirm a helicopter had been used, with some roads still rain affected.

“With all the rain that has occurred, you could imagine this happening, it’s uncovered an old water course,” the spokeswoman said.

“It was an extraordinary amount of water, I’m not sure what they are calling it, it’s either a one in 50 or one in 100-year type event.”

Farmers between Narrabri and Coolah said the incident was reason enough for another gas line proponent, Eastern Star Gas, to abandon its current plans and heed their warnings.

The incident, landholders said, threw into question the ability of companies to mitigate risks in such events when roads become impassable.

The 294km Central Ranges pipeline and associated network were commissioned in August 2006 at a total cost of $66 million and was purchased by APA in August 2008

APA, an ASX-listed gas transportation business, has interests in gas infrastructure across Australia, including 12,700 km of natural gas pipelines, over 2800km of gas distribution networks and gas storage facilities.

APA is Australia's largest transporter of natural gas, delivering more than half of Australia's annual gas use through its infrastructure.