A new taskforce has been set up in Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to help fast-track efforts to restore the road network following the widespread flooding across the State.
Minister Responsible for Disaster Recovery, John Barilaro said that as water levels began to recede, the focus was being changed from response to recovery.
“Emergency services and road crews have worked tirelessly to restore access to these communities as soon as possible – and now we want to focus on restoring those roads to full capacity,” Mr Barilaro said.
He said TfNSW’s Regional Road Flood Recovery Taskforce would assess damage; report ongoing road closures to locals; assist the freight industry and other road users; and support Councils with applications for disaster recovery funding.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole said the floods had left a trail of wreckage across the State’s road network.
“We know how important it is to restore these road networks as quickly as possible to ensure supplies are getting in and communities are able to start getting back on their feet,” Mr Toole said.
“However, due to the large number of slips and inaccessibility of some areas, it is likely that closures of some roads will be in place for several weeks,” he said.
“It’s a huge job and Transport for NSW is prioritising assessments of the damage to the road network and will continue to carry out emergency repair work as it is safe to do so.”
Mr Toole said some of the damage, particularly along Bells Line of Road and slope failures along Jenolan Caves Road, would require more extensive and time-consuming repairs.
“Smaller slope failures can be cleaned up quickly,” the Minister said.
“However, larger ones – such as where the majority of the road has washed away on Jenolan Caves Road at Five-Mile – will take extensive investigation, design and complex work to repair,” he said.
