By Michael Burt
Eight regional mayors from the Mid North Coast and New England have joined forces to boost the significance of Waterfall Way and call for urgent category D disaster assistance.
In a joint statement, the cohort of mayors have asked for formal recognition of Waterfall Way as infrastructure of regional and state significance and reinforced the need for funding of viable alternate routes
Bellingen Shire Council Mayor, Cr. Steve Allan, warned that repeated closures continue to impose serious economic, social and safety impacts on communities across both regions.
The mayors of Nambucca, Kempsey, Uralla, Armidale Region, City of Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie Hastings and Clarence Valley councils have all echoed that warning.
“As Mayor, I hear the stories of distress from the entire Shire community – the cancelled cattle sales, delayed or cancelled deliveries to small businesses resulting in increased costs for the people who can afford it least, school children unable to get to school, and commute times from the plateau to the coast blowing out, are just some of the impacts of this road being closed,” said Mayor Allan.
“People are stretched – not just because of this closure, but because of multiple slips compounded year on year, with effects rippling across the community.”
Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, has pledged to undertake a detailed corridor assessment of Waterfall Way and Mid-North Coast roads between Bellingen and Dorrigo.
This will include investigating short-term fixes but also potential, long-term upgrades to support access and alternate routes during extreme weather.
“Waterfall Way is not just a local road — it is a lifeline connecting two regions and supporting thousands of jobs, businesses and families. We welcome the Government’s commitment to assess the corridor, but assessment must now be backed by funding and delivery.”
“We cannot afford another cycle of studies without action. Our regions need solutions implemented on the ground, not just identified on paper.”
In the immediate term, the mayors are calling on the NSW and Australian Governments to approve Category D assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
They say the scale, duration and cumulative impacts of repeated and prolonged closures go well beyond standard recovery measures and warrant exceptional support for affected communities and businesses.
“Given the scale and ongoing nature of the disruption, Category D disaster assistance is also essential to support communities and businesses while long-term solutions are delivered,” Mayor Allan said.
Federal Member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan, took the cause to State Parliament last week to remind relevant Ministers of the immediate need to fund the Waterfall Way solution.
“The solutions are there, we just need the money to get it done and stop the consistent isolation of our Plateau communities,” Mr Conaghan said.
“Communities need a viable alternative route and frankly, it needed to be done years ago.”