An update on the Toose Road landslip: edition 19
Published on 08 September 2022
Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.
Construction update - short term access
A summary of progress relating to the short-term access is provided below:
Note, the team that were working on Fifes Creek Road had completed works on improving the short-term access road by battering the cutting faces, improving the gravel surface and placing a bunded wall for safety.
Less than 20m of rock now remains to be removed and requires the continuation of specialist contractors to drill and blast the hard rock. Achievements this week include:
Blast three is currently being prepared for by removal of remaining topsoil, vegetation, and loose rock to allow further drilling to occur. Staff have consulted with specialist contractors to remove the remaining rock as quickly as possible. Staff understand the frustration with the time this work has taken, however it must be completed safely and professionally.
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.
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 with the weekly updates provided since the community meeting on the 20th of July. Council appreciates the feedback received on these options.
Meetings with impacted landholders have commenced and will continue. From the combined feedback from the community and engineering investigation, the preferred solution selected by Council is the Armidale Road Over Height Option, with an exact bridge location currently being investigated. This route is however subject to ongoing landholder consultation; however, engineering planning works have commenced. Further details with regards to the progress of this option will be released in future updates.
Council is in the final stages of appointing a Project Manager who will have the primary responsibility of managing the long-term access project.
Lauren Wilson is your primary contact for all livestock welfare and movement enquiries:
Emergency provisions and supply
Kate Macfarlane, Local Recovery Coordinator with Resilience NSW is coordinating
the response for impacted residents:
Flood recovery assistance
Kate Macfarlane, Local Recovery Coordinator with Resilience NSW will be
organising a community session in Bellbrook for assistance providers to attend.
If you have any questions or issues please call Customer Service on 6566 3200 and ask to speak to the Readiness and Recovery Team.
Clearing after blast 2 – Photo 2