The closure of Waterfall Way for the fifth time in less than 12 months has reignited calls to invest in a viable and safe alternate route between Dorrigo and Coffs Harbour.
Some locals are now calling the popular tourist drive ‘Rockfall Way’ after another landslip closed Waterfall Way near Bellingen for up to 10 days.
Member for Oxley Michael Kemp and Member for the Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan have demanded the NSW Labor Government commit to a clear plan to fix the repeated disruptions on Waterfall Way.
“The repeated closures of Waterfall Way are completely unacceptable,” Mr Kemp said.
“Families, farmers, and communities cannot continue to endure this. Every time it rains, the road slips, leaving thousands of people isolated. The community is frustrated, fed up, and rightly expects their government to act.
“Previous funding of $72 million was allocated for resilience works on this road, yet the community has seen nothing but piecemeal measures. I have personally shown the Minister for Transport the severity of the landslips, and yet the closures keep coming.
“Our plan is simple: build real, lasting resilience into Waterfall Way, upgrade Summerville Road as a reliable alternative during closures, and commit to funding a case study for a long-term alternative corridor. We’re asking that the Labor Government match this plan and deliver certainty to the community.”
Mr Moylan said the ongoing failures are significantly affecting agriculture, tourism, commercial and local transport.
“Waterfall Way is a key transport route for our agricultural and timber industries as well as playing a major role in tourism in northern NSW with five national parks and numerous scenic waterfalls,” he said.
“When Waterfall Way closes, communities are cut off, freight is disrupted, and emergency access is put at risk.
“The financial impact of Monday’s landslip has already significantly impacted farmers through the cancellation of a sale vital to their operations. That’s simply unacceptable.
“The NSW Government needs to stop managing this road crisis-to-crisis and get serious about fixing it properly. That means urgent repairs now, and a long-term plan to make this route safer, stronger, and more reliable.
“Regional communities deserve infrastructure they can depend on; not excuses every time the road gives way.”
The Coffs Harbour City Council and Bellingen Shire Councils have also joined forces to advocate for funding for a safe and reliable alternate route connecting Dorrigo to Coffs Harbour when Waterfall Way is closed. The preferred option is referred to as Cascades Corridor, which winds through Eastern Dorrigo Way and villages such as Megan.
“Waterfall Way is our east – west lifeline linking coast to plateau, communities to jobs, freight to markets, and people to services,” Mayor William said.
“When it closes, the impact is felt across Dorrigo, Bellingen and Coffs Harbour.
“That’s why we’re united in calling for a safe, reliable alternative route including progressing the long-discussed Cascade corridor so our region has resilience when emergencies hit. One road isn’t enough.”
Both councils are encouraging residents to advocate for Waterfall Way by completing the NSW Government’s survey on roads and transport across the region at https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/north-coast
NSW Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison thanked Bellingen Shire Council’s geotechnical specialists and Transport for NSW crews who are working around the clock to safely reopen the road as soon as possible.
“Severe weather has undeniably taken a toll on NSW roads, and we know local governments are bearing the brunt of extreme weather events,” Minister Aitchison said.
“This is why the Minns Government has invested more than $1 billion in maintenance and disaster recovery for regional roads, with a significant share directed to the North Coast, including significant stabilisation works on Waterfall Way.
“This work is not finished, and we will continue to listen carefully to the local community and to expert technical advice to ensure repairs are done properly, safely and for the long term.”
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