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An update on the Toose Road landslip: edition five

Published on 02 June 2022

Update to geotechnical advice on the Landslip

As per previous updates, initial Geophysics investigations have occurred at the slip site using ground penetrating radar. Unfortunately, there was no rock found to 15 metres which confirms a short-term repair solution is not feasible at the slip site.

Further geophysics has been arranged to occur during the week commencing the 6th of June with the intent of finding rock at a greater depth. This process will help inform whether a long-term solution to repair the slip face is achievable.

Any actions on the site of the slip relate to the long-term options and no immediate clearing or construction on this site has been proposed.

Construction update - short term access

Progress has been pleasing since the last update as the weather has allowed works to proceed. Images taken on the 2nd of June are attached at the bottom of the newsletter.

There are four main components of the trail, being cut one, cut two, ridge trail and cut three.

Below is an update on each of the four components of the trail:

Cut 1 is complete, but will require some more work to lessen the grade.

Cut 2 has commenced, however the ridge line is quite steep in places and requires a cut across the face of the ridge. Further progress has occurred on this cut since the last update and is anticipated to be completed next week.
The Ridge Trail has been cleaned of vegetation and for the length of the line shown in orange the grade is reasonable, this area only requires a tidy up and some gravel in places.
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 80% established and has progressed significantly since last weeks update (see photos). The rock at the top of Cut 3 is very hard and is making progress slow in the final stages of the cut.

Council staff continue to work on Fifes Creek Road to ensure that the alternate route includes acceptable conditions for access into Kempsey.

Significant progress on this work included widening, gravel placement, intersection improvements, crossing improvements and vegetation removal to enhance road alignment.

Investigation update – long term access

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

These access options are being considered in more detail, a project team within GHD are working on mapping formal route options and costings.

This work has commenced, staff are commencing on site investigations and a high-level report will be produced in the near future.

Stock movements

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) via Resilience NSW and Transport for NSW continue to be liaised with regard to the potential for a temporary bailey bridge over the Macleay River to provide for stock movements. Council staff have identified a potential location to these agencies. Council staff await feedback from these agencies as to whether this option may be supported.

As the short term access to Fifes Road nears completion it will be able to be assessed as to suitability for providing for stock movements. Per previous advice the access shall be a minimum of 4WD standard, with this standard comfortably achieved based on works undertaken to date.

Emergency provisions and supply

Bulk fodder was air lifted to two properties on Thursday 2 June (see photo below).

Air resupply of groceries has ceased in anticipation of the Fifes Road access being complete.

Further fodder resupplies will be reassessed at Monday 4 July.