The New South Wales Government commissioned a detailed corridor assessment of Waterfall Way and surrounding Mid North Coast roads following landslips near Gordonsville Crossing that forced the closure of the key route between Bellingen and Dorrigo.
The landslip was triggered by severe local rainfall, prompting Transport for NSW to deploy specialist engineers and geotechnical experts to the site to work alongside Bellingen Shire Council. Since the initial incident, movement within the slope continued, with significant volumes of material falling onto the roadway as stabilisation works progressed.
Approximately 50 tonnes of material initially fell onto the road, with a further 150 tonnes dislodged in subsequent days as contractors removed debris and managed ongoing slope instability. Despite crews working continuously for more than a week, the 26-metre-high slope remained unstable, preventing the road from reopening safely.
The corridor assessment, led by Transport for NSW and informed by a comprehensive geotechnical engineering review, will examine Waterfall Way, Summervilles Road and other potential routes around Bellingen. The review will consider immediate, medium-term and long-term options to maintain access and improve network resilience during extreme weather events.
The assessment will identify short-term safety improvements, as well as longer-term infrastructure upgrades required to strengthen these critical local routes. Completion of the assessment is expected in the second half of 2026.
Transport for NSW has continued to work closely with Bellingen Shire Council to improve Summervilles Road as a more viable secondary route, recognising the need for alternative access when Waterfall Way is impacted by severe weather.
In the immediate term, Transport for NSW also worked with council, bus operators and local schools to support students returning to school, including the introduction of mini-bus services along Summervilles Road while the main route remained closed.
The assessment builds on significant previous investment along Waterfall Way, including more than $100 million in upgrades, with over $50 million delivered on the section between Bellingen and Dorrigo.
NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, inspected the site as specialist crews continued complex works to stabilise the slope and manage ongoing safety risks.
“The community has been significantly impacted by this closure, which affects families, businesses, freight and tourism,” Aitchison said.
“That is why the focus has expanded beyond a single road to look at the broader network around Bellingen, alongside immediate actions to support local access.”
“We have invested heavily in Waterfall Way and will continue to do so, but we also need viable alternative routes for times when extreme weather disrupts the network.”
“Safety remains the priority, and the road will not reopen until it is safe for workers and road users.”
NSW Minister for Recovery and the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said the assessment was a critical step in strengthening regional transport resilience.
“Waterfall Way is a vital connection for communities across the North Coast,” Saffin said.
“This corridor assessment supports longer-term planning to ensure regional roads are better able to withstand increasingly frequent extreme weather events.”
Motorists were urged to follow detours and avoid the area while conditions remained unsafe.
