*** UPDATE ***
Regretfully, Naughtons Gap Road will remain closed until next year, while Ballina-based engineering consultants Civil Consult carry out further geotechnical studies to inform the design work, which is also now underway. This additional monitoring is necessary to ensure the final slope stabilisation design meets the altering condition of the ground.
The landslip, which began in March 2021 following significant rain events, required the closure of Naughtons Gap Road between Rambaldinis Road and Stones Road due to safety concerns.
A construction tender will be advertised in January, with work expected to start in April, weather and ground condition permitting.
Council continues to liaise with Transport for NSW to ensure compliance with the Natural Disaster Recovery Funding arrangements.
Naughtons Gap Road will be closed for some time following geotechnical testing on the storm-damaged section between Stones Road and Rambaldinis Road.
An initial inspection by Council crews showed significant damage, which was supported by a Civil Consult engineer who identified quite a large slip caused by the recent deluge.
Ongoing monitoring is showing the road is still moving, hence the decision to keep it closed in the interests of public safety.
This is a known landslip area due to the soil type and terrain, and it is vital the road is repaired properly, which can take a significant amount of time.
Traffic control is in place, with motorists being diverted via Spring Grove Road or Manifold Road.
Council will be applying for disaster funding to cover the costs of returning the road to its pre-storm condition.
The Richmond Valley local government area is covered through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Council is currently going through the process of documenting the full extent of the damage to our road network following the disaster and preparing a program of works, prioritising urgent repairs, with a funding application to be made through the DRFA.
Council will keep the community updated on this process and a timeline for repair works once it becomes available.