Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.
Update to geotechnical advice on the Landslip
The significant repair works required at the slip site, alongside the unfavourable geotechnical conditions were discussed at length during the community meeting held on the 20th of July 2022. The repair of the slip was included as a potential long-term option, however this option has now been discounted as a long term option.
Construction update - short term access
A summary of progress relating to the short-term access is provided below:
Cut 1, Cut 2 and the Ridge Trail are complete.
Note, the team that were working on Fifes Creek Road are now working on improving the short-term access road by battering the cutting faces, improving the gravel surface and placing a bunded wall for safety, this will be completed this week.
Cut 3 is the most complex cut and will join an existing cut from the Telstra Tower – Toose Road trail. This cut is now approximately 98% established. Approximately 20m of rock now remains to be removed and requires specialist contractors to drill and blast the hard rock. Achievements this week include:
Drilling of Holes for Blast 2.
It is hoped that blast two will clear the remaining rock, blast two is booked for the 29th of August, an update on success will be provided once complete. b
Council staff have completed resheeting, corner improvement and vegetation works on Fifes Creek Road to ensure that the alternate route includes acceptable conditions for access into Kempsey. Further works to be delivered include the installation of cattle grids, signage, and concrete water crossings.
Due to the slow progress with Cut 3, advice on the opening timeframe has been delayed as per previous updates. An opening timeframe will be shared with the community once the rock has been removed from the top of cut 3. Please note that initially movement may be restricted to essential or emergency movements only.
Investigation update – long term access
As advised at the recent community meeting, the long-term reinstatement of a publicly accessible road is likely to take in the order of two years.
Several options were presented to the community and were circulated with the weekly updates provided since the community meeting on the 20th of July. Council appreciates the feedback received on these options.
Meetings with impacted landholders have commenced and will continue. From the combined feedback from the community and engineering investigation, a preferred route has been selected by Council staff. This route is however subject to further landholder consultation prior to a commitment to commence works.
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