Community feedback sought on Waterfall Way upgrades

Newell Falls in the Dorrigo National Park.

Transport for NSW is seeking community feedback on the Waterfall Way improvement program, to enhance safety for the 170-kilometre road running from the Pacific Highway at Raleigh to the New England Highway at Armidale.

The New South Wales Government’s initial $50 million commitment to improve Waterfall Way has been bolstered by extra funding from the Australian Government’s road safety program. The Federal Government Covid-19 Stimulus is also providing over $37 million funding for work on Waterfall Way.

The Waterfall Way is an important transport corridor, particularly for the timber and agricultural industries. Waterfall Way connects rural communities to the urban centres of Coffs Harbour and Armidale and is also a tourist route passing waterfalls on the Dorrigo Mountain and provides access to the Dorrigo National Park.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Covid-19 Stimulus package had brought forward projects to upgrade safety at several locations along the route.

“They include the installation of audio-tactile edge line markings, wide painted centre lines, flexible roadside barriers, shoulder sealing and guardrail installation east of Armidale and at Wollombi, as well as improvement work on Waterfall Way near Bellingen,” Mr Joyce said.

New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said upgrading the Waterfall Way corridor was critical to ensuring access remains open between rural Tablelands communities with those on the coast.

“Local communities are well aware of its importance and this was highlighted again when access was cut at several locations following the severe weather event in March, so it’s crucial we get this next stage of work right as well, so we can keep this road open in the future,” Mr Toole said.

“It’s a long and complex program of works, but we’re taking it one step at a time to ensure the communities, businesses and tourists that use this road every day have a stronger, safer connection through the mountains.”

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said planned works at various locations includes widening the road to nine metres, installing or upgrading safety barriers, and improving intersections and road corners.

“Apart from the many safety upgrades we’re implementing, we’re also including slow vehicle passing lanes on Dorrigo Mountain to ease congestion,” Mr Conaghan said.

Waterfall Way suffered extensive damage during the severe weather event in March, with five large landslips and approximately 12 minor slips between Bellingen and Dorrigo. Work begun early this month on a slope stability project at Dorrigo Mountain, part of a series of projects being delivered by the NSW Government to improve safety and reliability on this vital corridor.

Community members can provide feedback via the online survey at: yoursay.transport.nsw.gov.au/WaterfallWay