Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.

Update to geotechnical advice on the landslip

As per previous updates, initial Geophysics investigations have occurred at the slip site using ground penetrating radar. Unfortunately, there was no rock found to 15 metres which confirms a short-term repair solution is not feasible at the slip site.  

Fieldwork to provide further geophysics information has occurred last week. The purpose of this work was to find rock at a greater depth. The data produced from the field work is still being processed, however initial feedback received indicates rock at a depth of 17-35m, this depth varies across the slip plane. A more detailed summary of findings is expected to be received over the next week.

 Note that the investigations being undertaken on the site of the slip relate to the long-term options and no immediate clearing or construction on this site has been proposed.

Construction update - short term access

Progress has been pleasing since the last update, with our crews able to make significant inroads on Fifes Creek Road. The rock experienced at the top of Cut 3 has been challenging as expected, progress has slowed since hitting the high strength material however progress continues.

Below is an update on each of the four main components of the trail:   

• Cut 1 is complete, however it will require some more work to lessen the grade.    
• Cut 2 is now complete, this cut has followed a different path to that shown due to ease of construction and improved grade.
• The Ridge Trail has been cleaned of vegetation and for the length of the line shown in orange the grade is reasonable, this area only requires a tidy up and some gravel in places.   
• Cut 3 is the most complex cut and will join an existing cut from the Telstra Tower – Toose Road trail. This cut is now approximately 95% established and has progressed since last week's update (see photos). The rock at the top of Cut 3 is very hard and is making progress slow in the final stages of the cut, it is estimated a length of 30m remains to finalise the rough in process of this cut.

Council staff continue to work on Fifes Creek Road to ensure that the alternate route includes acceptable conditions for access into Kempsey. The Fifes Creek Road team have continued to focus on gravel resheeting and corner improvements this week. Additional works to be completed include the continuation of gravel re-sheeting, corner improvements, placement of cattle grids, pipes and concrete causeways.

Pending progress with Cut 3, over the next week Council expects to be able to advise on the likely opening timeframe of the short term route, noting that initially movement may be restricted to essential or emergency movements only.

Investigation update - long term access

As advised at community meetings the long-term reinstatement of a publicly accessible road is likely to take in the order of two years.    

These access options are being considered in more detail, a project team within GHD are working on mapping formal route options and costings. Progress is being made on the development of these options with a draft report expected to be received within the next week for Council staff to review.

Once the draft report is finalised, community input and feedback will be sought with the aim of selecting a suitable long-term option to allow detailed planning and consultation to commence. This shall also be in collaboration with Transport for NSW who administer natural disaster funding for restoration of road assets.

Stock movements

Local Land Services is in direct contact with property owners regarding options for temporary upgrades to the stock yards at the Travelling Stock Route (TSR) by Five Day Creek off Towal Road (#R1002042).

Refer also to Update 6 with respect to potential support from the ADF and Transport for NSW. Council staff await feedback from these agencies. The short term access shall also be able to be assessed as to suitability to provide for stock movements once nearing or fully complete.

Emergency provisions and supply

Resilience NSW has confirmed a bulk feed air resupply on Thursday 30 June.

All goods must be delivered to the lift site – they cannot be collected by Council.
To be included in this operation contact Beth Bickford by 2pm Tuesday 21 June; 0459 717 441
*Resilience will not lift any goods not detailed with Beth by 2pm Tuesday 21 June.

Flood recovery assistance

Council is liaising with Service Australia to bring specialist Disaster Grant Officers to Bellbrook to help resident’s whose income has been directly impacted by the landslip apply for grants.

The Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) is a short-term (13 week) payment to help you if you lose income as a direct result of a declared disaster. Payments can be backdated to the time of impact. The fastest way to claim is by calling 180 22 66.

More information

If you have any questions or issues please call Customer Service on 6566 3200 and ask to speak to the Readiness and Recovery Team.

For more information head to www.ksc.pub/tooseroad

If you are seeking any more information about Council head to www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au

Cut 2:

Cut 3:

Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.

Update to geotechnical advice on the Landslip

As per previous updates, initial Geophysics investigations have occurred at the slip site using ground penetrating radar. Unfortunately, there was no rock found to 15 metres which confirms a short-term repair solution is not feasible at the slip site. Fieldwork to provide further geophysics information has occurred this week. The purpose of this work was to find rock at a greater depth, results are anticipated to be available within the next week. This process will help inform whether a long-term solution to repair the slip face is achievable. Any actions on the site of the slip relate to the long-term options and no immediate clearing or construction on this site has been proposed.

Construction update - short term access

Progress has been pleasing since the last update, with our crews able to make significant inroads on Fifes Creek Road and Cut 3. The rock experienced at the top of Cut 3 has been challenging as expected, progress has slowed since hitting the high strength material however progress continues.

Below is an update on each of the four main components of the trail:

• Cut 1 is complete, however it will require some more work to lessen the grade.

• Cut 2 has commenced, however the ridge line is quite steep in places and requires a cut across the face of the ridge. Further progress has occurred on this cut since the last update and is nearing completion.

• The Ridge Trail has been cleaned of vegetation and for the length of the line shown in orange the grade is reasonable, this area only requires a tidy up and some gravel in places.

• Cut 3 is the most complex cut and will join an existing cut from the Telstra Tower – Toose Road trail. This cut is now approximately 90% established and has progressed since last week's update (see photos). The rock at the top of Cut 3 is very hard and is making progress slow in the final stages of the cut.

Council staff continue to work on Fifes Creek Road to ensure that the alternate route includes acceptable conditions for access into Kempsey. Significant progress has occurred on this route and includes widening, gravel placement, intersection improvements, crossing improvements and vegetation removal to enhance road alignment. The Fifes Creek Road team has primarily focused on gravel resheeting this week with further resheeting planned to occur next week. Additional works to be completed include the continuation of corner improvements, placement of cattle grids, pipes and concrete causeways.

Investigation update - long term access

As advised at community meetings the long-term reinstatement of a publicly accessible road is likely to take in the order of two years.   

These access options are being considered in more detail, a project team within GHD are working on mapping formal route options and costings. Progress is being made on the development of these options.

This work has commenced, staff are commencing on site investigations and a high-level report will be produced in the near future.

Stock movements

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) via Resilience NSW and Transport for NSW continue to be liaised with regard to the potential for a temporary bailey bridge over the Macleay River or provision of high clearance trucks to provide for stock movements. Council staff have identified a potential location to these agencies. Council staff await feedback from these agencies as to whether these options may be supported.

As the short term access to Fifes Road nears completion it will be able to be assessed as to suitability for providing for stock movements. Per previous advice the access shall be a minimum of 4WD standard, with this standard comfortably achieved based on works undertaken to date.

Emergency provisions and supply

Council is awaiting confirmation from Resilience NSW of a future bulk feed aie resupply on either Thursday 30 June or Thursday 14 July.

Details of the resupply will be confirmed in the next update, Thursday 16 June.

Flood recovery assistance

Council continues to advocate with State Government agencies to have local case managers appointed to assist impacted residents connect to financial support.

As soon as this is resolved, the Readiness & Recovery Team will be in direct contact with residents who have registered their details with Service NSW.

Tropical Soda Apple

Council apologises to residents on Toose Road for the automation of a letter detailing potential fines should TSA not be controlled on your property. These letters were sent to all properties who have once had TSA identified on them.

As acknowledged at the face-to-face meeting held at Council on Monday 9 May, we understand the limitations on control while residents remain isolated, unable to source deliveries or freely access all areas of their properties.

TSA continues to be a significant concern and Council is investigating funding options to support ongoing control and eradication programs on private property, of which Toose Road remains a priority area.

Control measures continue along the river with contractors being able to access priority sites via the river, with positive progress being made.

More information

If you have any questions or issues please call Customer Service on 6566 3200 and ask to speak to the Readiness and Recovery Team.

For more information head to www.ksc.pub/tooseroad

If you are seeking any more information about Council head to www.kempsey.nsw.gov.au

Cut 3 - Dozer view

Cut 3

Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.

Strength, Support & Community is a program of FREE community activities to promote resilience and mateship within the Kempsey Shire.

A variety of FREE activities, workshops and public talks are being offered across 2022. Browse the activities listed below, to register your interest in attending please click on your desired activity and you will be directed to Eventbrite. If emailing please include the activity name, your name and your contact number.

Spots are limited. By registering you will secure your attendance.

All events are FREE for residents of the Kempsey Shire, all you have to do is register.

• Photography Workshop - Willawarrin
• Photography Workshop - Gladstone
• OzGreen Resilient Communities Program - Registrations opening soon
• Localised Community Prepardness Planning - for individuals and communities - email getready@kempsey.nsw.gov.au or call Customer Service 6566 3200 to register your interest in attending training
• Workcover - how to access funding and subsidies - email tsa@kempsey.nsw.gov.au or call Customer service on 6566 3200 to register your interest in this training.

• Managing Riparian Vegetation - Willawarrin
• Managing Riparian Vegetation - Belmore River

• Livestock nutrition - Belmore River
• Livestock nutrition - Willawarrin
• Side-by-side operation - Registrations have closed.
• 4WD operation - Registrations have closed.
• Chainsaw - basic, trim and cut. To register: email tsa@kemspey.nsw.gov.au or call Customer Service 6566 3200
• Chainsaw - advanced, fall trees manually - Registrations have closed.
• SMARTtrain chemical application - email tsa@kemspey.nsw.gov.au or call Customer Service 6566 3200 to register your interest in attending this training
• Quad Bike Operations - Registrations have closed.

• Troubleshooting livestock weed consumption - Willawarrin
• Feral animal control - Registrations opening soon

Another big step has been taken on the journey to clearing the major landslip at Devils Nook on Armidale Road.

Kempsey Shire Council has commenced works to remediate the large landslip that occurred on Armidale Road at Devils Nook in January 2021.

Council has been awarded Transport for NSW funding of $3,809,000 to undertake large-scale civil and geotechnical engineering construction to stabilise the site, which is approximately 6km east of Bellbrook.

The landslip occurred in 2021 after prolonged wet weather, pushing large amounts of rock into roadside barriers and necessitating short-term road closures as Council engaged contractors to clear the debris with earthmoving equipment.

Council’s Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Dylan Reeves, said the impacts of severe weather had been felt across Kempsey Shire, with Devils Nook being one of many sites still requiring remediation.

“We are continuing to work through our repair program from recent flood events, which will ultimately see about $30 million of natural disaster funding invested in repairing the shire’s infrastructure,” said Mr Reeves.

“We understand upriver residents have faced many challenges as a result of weather events in the past few years and thank them for their patience and cooperation as we repair the damage to key routes across the valley.”

Traffic control will be in place at the site during the works, which will last about 10 weeks. Residents are requested to cooperate with road crews and follow signage. For more information head to ksc.pub/devilsnook

Kempsey Shire Council has committed to providing regular updates to residents and landowners directly impacted by the landslip on Toose Road.

Properties and landowners affected by the 2019-20 bushfires who need to dispose of fire-affected fencing materials or need help clearing, felling or disposing of fallen trees could be eligible for a free clean up.

Kempsey Shire Council will be undertaking Operation Property Clean Up with professional contractors to assist residents with the clean-up.

The project is funded under the NSW Environment Protection Authority’s FenceCycle Program and Bushfire-Generated Green Waste Clean-Up and Processing Program, which has been generated by the the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

Council’s Agricultural Project Officer, Ali Briggs, said the project aims to help bushfire impacted residents and landowers safely remove fire affected materials from their property.

“Our Shire had over 63,000 hectares and 600 private properties that were adversely affected by the bushfires,” she said.

“This has presented a large clean-up effort and one that just doesn’t happen overnight.

“For many landowners who still have fire affected materials remaining on their property it’s a constant reminder of the devastating impact and shock of the fires.

“This program provides the machinery, the manpower and the support to clean up fire affected waste and take those reminders away and to help assist them with ongoing recovery.”

Residents are encouraged to check their eligibility for the program and submit an application to council.

“Council staff will endeavour to process applications as quickly as possible and applicants will be contacted if successful with further details to make arrangements for the clean-up. In bitter irony, rain sodden ground may impact the timing for when machinery can be bought in for the clean-up” Ms Briggs said.

For more information and to submit an application click here

Alternatively contact council on 6566 3200 for more information.

The Festival of Small Halls Resilience Tour will kick off locally with renowned songwriters Ash Bell and Sara Tindly as well as emotive troubadour Melanie Horsnell set to take the stage in Stuarts Point and Hat Head.

Presented by festival producers Woodfordia Inc, this year marks the 26th year of the regional music tour which is specially targeted at bushfire affected communities.

Despite the Stuarts Point Community Hall set to undergo some renovations from 16 May, that won’t deter the tour from going ahead at the hall on Sunday 29 May from 3:30pm. A temporary and inclusive access to the hall will be created for the event.

Come along and enjoy an afternoon of live music while supporting the local Country Women’s Association’s fundraising supper, a dinner put on by the Stuarts Point and District Community Organisation (SPADCO) and the chance to win some lucky door prizes.

Doors open at 3:30pm with music starting at 4pm.

The second event in the tour will be held at the Hat Head Surf Life Saving Club on Wednesday 1 June from 5:30pm.

Local talent Heath Lancaster will also join the music line up at the Hat Head show to deliver an acoustic performance.

Come along and enjoy a night of live music, a fundraising dinner for the Hat Head Surf Life Saving Club and the chance to win some lucky door prizes.

Doors open at 5:30pm with music starting at 6pm.

To purchase tickets for the Stuarts Point or Hat Head events click here