The Minns Labor Government will undertake a detailed corridor assessment of Waterfall Way and Mid-North Coast roads between Bellingen and Dorrigo - investigating 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.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison will inspect the site in person today as specialist crews continue complex work to stabilise the slope.
Motorists are urged to follow detours and avoid the area while conditions remain unsafe.
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison said:
"The community is understandably frustrated, we know closures on Waterfall Way are more than an inconvenience - they disrupt families, businesses, freight and tourism.
"We have heard the community clearly. That's why we are expanding our focus beyond a single road and looking at the whole network around Bellingen, as well as immediate fixes to support locals when kids return to school.
"We have invested heavily in Waterfall Way and will continue to do so, but we also need a viable alternative for the times this road is impacted by severe weather.
"This assessment is about moving beyond short-term fixes and properly understanding what this corridor needs.
"Nothing is off the table - but safety is critical, and we will not reopen the road until it is safe for workers and road users.
"This should not be a political issue, but the reality is this region has been represented by the Liberals and Nationals for decades and the upgrades Waterfall Way needed were not delivered.
"The Minns Labor Government is focused on delivery - guided by expert advice and the needs of the local community."
Minister for Recovery and the North Coast, Janelle Saffin said:
"As a North Coast local, I know that Waterfall Way is more than just a road, it is a lifeline that connects the Bellingen and Dorrigo communities.
"This corridor assessment is a critical step in our commitment to building back better and ensuring our regional roads can withstand the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
'We aren't just looking for a quick fix; we are looking for a long-term solution that gives this community the certainty and safety they deserve."
