Toose Road landslip

A major slip on Toose Road

Summary

Around 31 March 2022, a major landslip occurred on Toose Road, almost 10km west of Bellbrook in the Macleay Valley.

The severity of the landslip has rendered the road impassable to any traffic since that date, isolating a number of hinterland residents.

The landslip has affected a 90-metre section of the roadway. Specialist engineers have determined that the slope continues to move as it is part of an older, larger landslip in the same extremely steep area, around 55 metres above the Macleay River.

As the landslip occurred following a storm and flooding event, Council will make claims to Transport for NSW under the Natural Disaster Declaration to fund the short-term and longer-term works required at Toose Road.

NOTICE

Council has been made aware that a track has been constructed across the Toose Road Landslip.

The Toose Road Landslip remains highly active and may fail at any time, particularly in wet weather, and as such the road remains closed.

Travelling across this section of closed road is not endorsed by Council, nor has the work completed been approved, supervised, or thoroughly inspected by Council.

If you choose to pass through the closed portion of Toose Road, traversing the slip, you are at risk of serious injury or death.

Council staff will be installing a gate on Toose Road, with appropriate signage on it clearly outlining the risk of serious injury or death should the closed portion of Toose Road be accessed.

What Council is doing

Kempsey Shire Council is working on many fronts to help residents who have been isolated by the landslip.

For detailed information please visit Council's Toose Road landslip updates page.

Landslip geotechnical advice

Geophysics investigations have occurred at the site using ground-penetrating radar. Unfortunately, no rock was found to a depth of 15 metres, which confirms that short-term repair of the landslip is not feasible.

Further investigations have been arranged with the intent of finding rock at a greater depth. This process will help inform whether a long-term solution to repair the slip face is achievable.

Any actions on the site of the slip relate to long-term options, and no immediate clearing or construction at the site is proposed.

Short-term access

A short-term access route has been constructed connecting Fifes Creek Road to Toose Road via the telecommunications tower. This route is for impacted residents and essential travellers only - see Short-term Toose Road access route open to impacted residents

Long-term access

As advised at community meetings with affected residents, the long-term reinstatement of a publicly accessible road is likely to take about two years.

Access options are being considered in more detail, and a project team in GHD has started mapping the formal route options and developing costings.

Staff are beginning on-site investigations, and a high-level report will be produced in the near future.