A detailed corridor assessment of Waterfall Way and Mid-North Coast roads between Bellingen and Dorrigo will be undertaken by NSW Labor Government.
They said in a media release they will investigate ‘short term fixes but also potential, long-term upgrades to support access and alternate routes during extreme weather’.
‘The decision follows a landslip near Gordonsville Crossing, triggered by severe local rainfall, which has closed Waterfall Way.
‘After the initial landslip occurred, Transport for NSW immediately deployed specialist engineers and geotechnical experts to the site to work with Bellingen Shire Council.
‘Since then, the slope has continued to move.
‘About 50 tonnes of material initially fell on to the road, with a further 150 tonnes coming down in the past week as material is removed by specialist contractors and as active landslips continue.
‘Despite crews working around the clock for more than a week, the 26-metre-high slope remains unstable, making it unsafe to reopen the road.
‘The corridor assessment will be led by Transport for NSW and informed by a comprehensive geotechnical engineering review.
‘It will examine Waterfall Way, Summervilles Road and other potential routes around Bellingen, with a focus on immediate, medium-term and longer-term options to keep the community moving.
‘It will identify what can be done now to improve safety, and what longer-term upgrades are needed to improve resilience and support access along these critical local routes.
‘The assessment is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.
‘Transport for NSW will work closely with Bellingen Shire Council to improve Summervilles Road as a more viable and robust secondary route, recognising the need for an alternative when Waterfall Way is impacted by severe weather.
‘In the immediate term, Transport is also working with council, bus operators and local schools to ensure students can safely return to school in the coming days.
‘Mini-buses will be introduced to operate along the Summervilles Road route, ensuring students can travel safely while the main route remains closed.
‘This work builds on the $100 million already invested on Waterfall Way, including more than $50 million on the stretch between Bellingen and Dorrigo.
‘Despite decades of Liberal and National representation, Waterfall Way was left without the long-term upgrades it needed to withstand extreme weather’.
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