An update on the Toose Road landslip: edition 13

Published on 28 June 2022

Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.  

Update to geotechnical advice on the Landslip  

The significant repair works required at the slip site, alongside the unfavourable geotechnical conditions were discussed at length during the community meeting held on the 20th of July 2022. The repair of the slip was included as a potential long-term option, however when considered against other options presented it was considered as a low viability option. Further discussion on the long term repair options can be found below. 

 

Construction update - short term access  

An update on the short term access was provided at the recent community meeting, held on the 20th of July. A summary is provided below: 

  • Cut 1 is complete.  

  • Cut 2 is complete.  

  • The Ridge Trail is complete.  

  • Cut 3 is the most complex cut and will join an existing cut from the Telstra Tower – Toose Road trail. This cut is now approximately 97% established. Approximately 30m of rock remains to be removed and requires specialist contractors to drill and blast the hard rock. Specialist contractors will establish on site during the week commencing the 1st of August 2022. 

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Council staff continue to work on Fifes Creek Road to ensure that the alternate route includes acceptable conditions for access into Kempsey. The Fifes Creek Road team are nearing completion of resheeting, corner improvements and vegetation removal works. Further works to be delivered include the installation of cattle grids, signage and concrete water crossings. 

 

Due to the slow progress with Cut 3, advice on the opening timeframe has been delayed as per previous updates. An opening timeframe will be shared with the community once the rock has been removed from the top of cut 3. Please note that initially movement may be restricted to essential or emergency movements only.  

 

Investigation update – long term access  

As advised at the recent community meeting, the long-term reinstatement of a publicly accessible road is likely to take in the order of two years.  

 

A number of options were presented to the community and were circulated during last week’s update. In order to finalise the preferred option, your feedback on each of the options presented would be appreciated. Please return your feedback on your preferred long term option via email, or by contacting a relevant Council staff member as soon as possible. The slides have been attached to this update for reference. 

 

Stock movements 

Council is awaiting a response from the ADF regarding options to construct a temporary stock bridge to assist in transporting cattle to market. 

Resilience NSW is liaising directly with Local Land Services regarding a temporary upgrade of cattle yards on Travelling Stock Route (TSR) by Five Day Creek (#R1002042). 

Emergency provisions and supply  

Local Land Services (LLS) is coordinating property inspections to determine ongoing feed requirements for impacted properties. Landholders will be contacted directly by LLS to arrange inspection times. The findings from these inspections will be reviewed by LSS, Resilience NSW and the Department of Primary Industries to determine short, medium and long term animal welfare provisions. 

Kate Macfarlane, Local Recovery Coordinator with Resilience NSW is coordinating emergency provisions and supply for impacted residents: 

  0498 324 677 | kate.macfarlane@resilience.nsw.gov.au 

Flood recovery assistance 

Kate Macfarlane, Local Recovery Coordinator with Resilience NSW will be organising a community session in Bellbrook for assistance providers to attend. 

More information 

If you have any questions or issues please call Customer Service on 6566 3200 and ask to speak to the Readiness and Recovery Team.  

If you are seeking any more information about Council head to www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au