A significant landslip on the Armidale Road, approximately 6 kilometres east of Bellbrook will require the road to be closed for approximately a week.
Kempsey Shire Council has engaged specialist geotech engineers to inspect the site this morning after the road was closed around 2:30pm on Monday 4 January.
General Manager Craig Milburn has been onsite today and confirms the slip is still moving and very dangerous.
"The landslip starts approximately 85 metres above the roadway and has taken out tonnes of rock and debris. There are several trees either balanced or still at risk of slipping, and these will require specialist tree removal equipment and professionals to safely remove them from above.
"We are working with specialist engineers to plan the best method for clearing and stabilising the site, but it is currently very dangerous with rocks still falling.
"At this early stage we estimate it will be around a week before we are able to get the road open again," said Mr Milburn.
The road closure impacts around 300 residents of Bellbrook and surrounding areas who are cut off from Kempsey. Council staff have been working with community members and the SES to assess immediate needs and plan for emergency supply drops.
"We can't allow residents to walk through the dangerous site and will be fencing it off totally so that there is no access. We do understand there is a need for some urgent medical supplies and then further supplies will be required in coming days," said Mr Milburn.
