By Michael Burt
Transport for NSW has inspected a proposed detour behind Gordonville Cutting that was used by locals during the closure of Waterfall Way.
Mayor Steve Allan, Member for Oxley Michael Kemp and a private landowner joined the route inspection connecting Boggy Creek Road through to Horseshoe Road.
“A connection from Boggy Creek Road through to Horseshoe Road deserves serious consideration as the preferred route,” Michael Kemp said.
“We cannot keep building back the road like-for-like, we need to be building smarter, and that means looking at a reliable alternative.”
“The Minister’s commitment to consider all options is welcome, but the community now expects that to lead to a permanent, long-term solution.”
It was Mayor Steve Allan’s first visit to the proposed detour, and he welcomed the examination of local intel on more permanent options for Waterfall Way.
“The Minister has said that all options are on the table for a permanent fix. It is good that they are following through with that,” Mayor Allan said.
“There is a group of longtime locals that are proposing this as a viable alternative, so it was important to get Transport for NSW to look at it so that it is in the mix.”
“There are complexities around the tenure of the land involved. A portion of it is owned by private landowner, who is one of the proponents of the route.”
“My understanding is that another portion of the land is under the control of the Bowraville Aboriginal Land Council.”
Mayor Allan said the geology and topography of the site would also present a challenge.
He said Transport for NSW will likely be focusing on benching back the Gordonville Cutting portion to prevent further landslips, which would mean traffic returning to Summervilles Road.
“Council will be concentrating on Summervilles Road, doing the improvements needed to make it an acceptable detour.”
The Mayor and General Manager Mark Griffieon met with Roads Minister Jenny Aitchinson last week to seek assurances that Summervilles Road was still a priority after the closure of Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway.
“The Minister assured as the funding is still in place for Summervilles Road. They did not give us a timeline, but it is going ahead.”
Waterfall Way has now been open for almost two weeks, with gravel-filled shipping container barriers in place to reduce the risk of rockfall and traffic flowing under one-lane with lights.
However, Mr Kemp warned the site remains highly unstable due to the underlying geology.
“The rock face is heavily fractured, allowing water to penetrate deep into the slope, increasing the risk of further movement and rockfall, particularly during rain.”
“That’s why strict trigger levels are in place.”
If rainfall exceeds 50mm in 24 hours, 100mm over seven days, or if there is any further ground movement, the road will be closed immediately. If that happens, traffic will again be diverted via Summervilles Road while engineers reassess the site.
“Monitoring equipment is in place and crews are ready to respond, but until permanent stabilisation work is completed, there will always be a level of risk.”
“That’s exactly why the Minister identifying a reliable alternative route is so crucial.”