Story Chris Dobney Photo Duncan Shipley-Smith
The residents of Upper Coopers Creek Road in Byron Shire join those of Wanganui Road in having no way of getting in or out of their homes following the council’s decision yesterday to close the road.
The decision follows Byron Shire Council’s receipt of a geotechnical report yesterday.
Upper Coopers Creek Road is a no through road and the closure will affect about 40 properties.
The council offers no clue as to what residents stranded above or below the slip should do, other than contact the SES, and offers no time-frame for salvaging what remains of the road.
The landslip occurred about 1.3km south of Coopers Creek School, following the recent storm event from ex-cyclone Oswald.
Byron Shire Council’s executive manager of community infrastructure, Phil Holloway, said a preliminary geotechnical inspection highlighted there is an immediate risk of catastrophic collapse in keeping the road open due to the instability of a 100-metre length of road.
‘Due to safety for residents and motorists using this section of road, we have closed the road from this afternoon.
‘While we appreciate that this will be a very trying time for residents, Council appreciates motorists obeying all signage and apologises for the inconvenience,’ Mr Holloway said.
A further geotechnical inspection and report will be carried out at the end of this week and into early next week.
‘Unfortunately this will not be an easy repair due to the damage and the landslip location,’ Mr Holloway noted.
‘Following the additional inspections, a report will be submitted to the Roads and Maritime Authority (RMS) and a claim will be made under the Natural Disaster Assistance Scheme for the repair works,’ he said.
Any resident requiring assistance during the road closure, should contact the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500.
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