The NSW Government will undertake a corridor assessment of Waterfall Way and Mid-North Coast roads between Bellingen and Dorrigo, following 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.
Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison inspected the site in person, as specialist crews continued work to stabilise the slope.
“The community is understandably frustrated, we know closures on Waterfall Way are more than an inconvenience – they disrupt families, businesses, freight and tourism,” she says.
“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.
Aitchison says this assessment is about moving beyond short-term fixes and properly understanding what the 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,” she says.
“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.”
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 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.