An update on the Toose Road landslip: edition 14

Published on 04 August 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, Cut 2 and the Ridge Trail are 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. Achievements this week include: 

  • Specialist contractors have completed approvals for blasting to commence, these are now completed and endorsed. 

  • Rock strength analysis has been completed (samples sent to the lab some time ago) to allow an accurate calculation of blasting needs. 

  • Drill and Blast Contractors have been on site this week and have completed a final preparation inspection on site with Council staff. 

  • Drill Rigs are being deployed from their respective sites and will arrive on site this coming Monday (8/9/2022). 

  • Gravel is being placed on the short-term access road to improve conditions overall, this is progressing well. 

 

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Council staff have completed resheeting, corner improvement and vegetation works on Fifes Creek Road to ensure that the alternate route includes acceptable conditions for access into Kempsey. 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.  

 

Several options were presented to the community and were circulated within the last two updates. Meetings with impacted landholders has commenced and will continue until the preferred option is selected. Thankyou to those that have provided feedback, it is appreciated, if you are yet to provide your feedback please do so as soon as possible. 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 as a reference for those yet to provide feedback. 

 

Stock welfare and movement 

Council first approached Local Land Services (LLS) for assistance transporting and yarding isolated livestock on Wednesday 11 May. Following on-site inspections conducted by LLS on Wednesday 3 August 2022, Lauren Wilson is now your primary contact for all livestock welfare and movement enquiries: 

  • Lauren Wilson 

  • lauren.wilson@lls,nsw,gov,au 

  • Call 1300 795 299 to contact Kempsey Local Land Service office from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm 

Emergency provisions and supply  

Kate Macfarlane, Local Recovery Coordinator with Resilience NSW is coordinating 

the response for impacted residents: 

  • Kate Macfarlane 

  • 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. 

For more information head to www.ksc.pub/tooseroad   

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