Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.
The intent of the update newsletter was to ensure accurate and timely information was distributed to affected landholders and residents during the period of rapid change and decision making.
Through September there have been minor changes in the information provided weekly, due to the challenging nature of completing the short-term access road and the complex planning milestones required to secure a route for construction of the longer-term public access road.
These changes have not been perceived by the community as significant and have risked causing confusion and dissatisfaction with the newsletter. Noting the significant investment of staff resource into this project and the reasons above, this edition will be the last weekly update.
Council will now produce and circulate a Toose Road update only when milestone triggers are reached as indicated below.
Residents are reminded to monitor Council’s website and facebook pages to keep up to date with other interesting news and events from across the Shire.
Council is also developing a Better Together Network specifically focussed on working with individual communities to plan and prepare for disasters and to build strong community connections for improved communication. The second BTN meeting for Bellbrook will be late October and recipients of this newsletter are encouraged to join that conversation.
Construction update – short term access
Note previous editions have outlined the significant work completed on improvements to Fifes Creek Rd and ongoing commitment to install cattle grids, signage and concrete water crossings.
Cut 3 is the most complex and will join an existing cut from the Telstra Tower – Toose Road trail. This cut is now approximately 98% established.
Less than 10m of rock now remains to be removed due to the successful completion of blast 3 on Wednesday 14 September. Debris is currently being removed following this blast, an inspection will be completed once this task is complete to determine if further works are required by specialist contractors to drill and blast the remaining hard rock. Council staff are now very close to passing through the section of hard rock experienced.
Expected milestones to trigger future community update:
Road opening date once rock has been cleared from Cut 3
Investigation update – long term access
As advised through newsletter and community meetings the expected long-term reinstatement of a publicly accessible road is likely to take in the order of two years.
Current status summary:
Several route options have been circulated to residents since the community meeting in late July. Council appreciates the feedback and input received from community in reviewing these options.
Meetings with impacted landholders are underway and will continue throughout the project
As advised in previous editions the preferred route 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.
Expected milestones to trigger future community updates:
Commencement of Project Manager with primary responsibility for delivering this construction project
Confirmation of schedule of environmental and engineering investigations to be undertaken and detailed project timeframe
Stock movements
Local Land Services and Resilience NSW have confirmed access to NSW Government emergency funding to further assist with fodder requirements for the interim period while high river levels prevent further transport of stock to market.
Residents will continue communicating directly with LLS regarding access to fodder and all livestock welfare issues.
Lauren Wilson
0427 496 944 / [email protected]
Call 1300 795 299 to contact Kempsey Local Land Service office from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Recovery Assistance and Emergency provisions
If residents experience a change in situation or have unmet emergency needs support is being coordinated by Resilience NSW.
Kate Macfarlane, Local Recovery Coordinator
0498 324 677 / [email protected]
