Council secures $21 million funding for Toose Road alternate route
Published on 10 October 2024
The long term solution for transport access for residents impacted by the 2022 Toose Road landslip has been confirmed with funding secured from the state and federal governments.
Kempsey Shire Council is set to receive a further $21 million investment by the Australian and NSW Governments, aimed at repairing community infrastructure in flood-affected areas of the Mid North Coast NSW.
This substantial funding made possible through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the cost-sharing arrangements between the Australian Government and the states and territories, will support the critical project to restore long term access for the Toose Road residents and fortify our community’s resilience following the devastating floods of February 2022.
Identified through a lengthy investigation process including technical consultants and extensive community engagement, the long-term solution provides for a new bridge across the Macleay River, as well as landslip remediation works being carried out on multiple locations on Armidale road.
Kempsey Shire Council General Manager, Craig Milburn, acknowledges the extensive work by Council and Transport for NSW staff and the community that has delivered this result.
“In a situation like the Toose Road landslip where a simple road repair isn’t an option, it takes a huge effort by countless people to find and agree on the path forward and we thank all those that have made this possible,” said Mr Milburn.
“We are very grateful to the NSW and Federal governments for providing the funding for this solution. It is a reminder that while floods happen quickly the impacts are felt for many years. Council is still carrying out works directly related to multiple floods and fires from the last five years.”
Around 31 March 2022, a major landslip occurred on Toose Road, almost 10km west of Bellbrook in the Macleay Valley. The severity of the landslip has rendered the road impassable to any traffic since that date, isolating a number of hinterland residents.
The landslip affected a 90-metre section of the roadway. Specialist engineers who investigated the site on multiple occasions, determined that the ongoing movement of the slope and the depth of loose material between the road and hard rock made it impossible to deliver a safe road in the same location, around 55 metres above the Macleay River.
A short-term four wheel drive access route was constructed by Council, and both Council and other government agencies have provided extensive support to the partially isolated community for more than two years, including emergency flights, long term transport and other materials.
The impacted residents have been informed of Council’s success in securing the funds and Council staff and state counterparts will continue to work closely with them throughout the project.
Michael Kemp, Member for Oxley said he looked forward to meeting with them in the coming weeks and thanked them for their patience.
“The Toose Road residents have had an incredibly tough few years and we understand their difficulties with this project,” said Mr Kemp
“I have worked really hard with the affected landholders, the Department and the Minister, to get to this point.
“It is a comfort to now know what is happening and when it will happen.
“Physical isolation impacts communities in countless ways and we will continue to support this community in every way we can.”