Tweed Shire Council has successfully negotiated to push a temporary track through private property to restore access between Mullumbimby and the Tweed Valley after a huge collapse of the mostly gravel-road link during the recent floods.
Manns Road at Rowlands Creek, ‘catastrophically failed’, a council spokesperson said, but work to restore it will start after Easter.
A six-metre wide gap opened up on the Uki side of the road during the floods, leaving a dangerous deep crevice which has been cordoned off and the road signposted as closed.
The spokesperson said all council roads bar two are trafficable and all communities have access in and out of their properties.
Investigations are continuing in how to repair Lone Pine Road at Doon Doon, where one property is isolated.
Council will install temporary traffic lights on Clothiers Creek Road to improve safety at the one-lane section skirting a major landslip.
Council advises that while Mount Warning Road is trafficable as far as the National Parks gate and businesses there are open, the summit track is closed to visitors as repairs to scours and slip damage are being undertaken.
‘Road repairs will continue on Mount Warning Road over the next month as Council works to restore this important tourist destination in sync with the National Parks and Wildlife Service restoring the walking track,’ the spokesperson said.
.’At the request of National Parks, traffic controllers will be mobilised to Mount Warning Road to stop pedestrians walking through the roadwork sites to get into the National Park.
‘Council is continuing to retrieve materials from the washed-away Byrrill Creek bridge to rebuild a temporary one-lane timber bridge on the same alignment to restore more direct access for this community while assessing options for a permanent replacement bridge.
‘The temporary bridge will take at least one month to build so residents are advised that they will have to continue travelling via Tyalgum, or Cadell and Kyogle roads until then.
‘While roads are now trafficable, many are not in good condition and motorists should drive expecting multiple hazards.
‘Not only are some of the landslips still moving but road edges are soft and temporary patching of road scours and potholes may deteriorate quickly. Council expects it will take several weeks to clear topside slips.
‘Motorists also are advised to expect gravel and stone deposits on roads and to avoid hitting this type of debris at speed.
‘Over the past two weeks,cCouncil has worked beyond its normal road maintenance limits to clear property access routes through road reserves.
‘However, it cannot clear access routes on private property and owners are advised to contact the Recovery Centre by telephoning 6670 2133 for advice on what options they may have.’
Assistance for businesses, farmers
Meanwhile, Tweed mayor Katie Milne has welcomed the approval of ‘Category C’ support for eligible small businesses, farmers and not-for-profits.
Cr Milne described the announcement as ‘welcome relief’ towards the end of a gruelling week of recovery efforts.
The Category C listing for Murwillumbah and Lismore was approved overnight and will provide access to grant support of up to $15,000 to eligible primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profits.
The first round of support includes areas around the major town centres including Murwillumbah, South Murwillumbah, Condong and Bray Park.
Other Tweed Shire areas including affected rural villages and outlying businesses are being considered under a separate application with more information soon to come.
To assist with the assessment process, businesses in Tumbulgum, Uki, Chinderah, Mooball and Burringbar are encouraged to provide information on how they’ve been affected via:
www.surveymonkey.com/r/NorthCoastFloodsBusinessSurvey
The mayor said the support was vital for small businesses hit so hard by the disaster.
‘This is really fantastic news; the floods and the clean-up have taken such an emotional and physical toll on everyone involved,’ she said.
‘Small businesses and primary producers are a really important part of our community life and this sort of support is critical to helping them get back on their feet.
‘The damage, clean-up and recovery costs have been significant, these grants will help, but it’s so important at this time that we continue to shop local and get behind these businesses that have lost so much.”
Category C assistance includes recovery grants for primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations and are designed to assist with the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of businesses that have suffered direct damage as a result of an eligible disaster.
To apply for a recovery grant, small businesses in the local government areas above can contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or by visiting the NSW Rural Assistance Authority website.
Further information on disaster assistance is available at the Disaster Assist website and the Emergency NSW website.
