Here's what's happening about the landslip on Taylors Arm Rd

For about the seventh time in the past decade, Taylors Arm Rd in between Jellico St and Congarinni Rd North will need major repairs after heavy rainfall.

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An 80m section of the eastbound lane was closed around a fortnight ago and traffic lights installed when a significant chunk of the road slipped into the river. Another spot directly beside is still threatening to do the same.

Here's what's happening about the landslip on Taylors Arm Rd

The problem is that much of the road here runs directly beside the Nambucca River, which has undermined the pavement in many areas.

Flashback to September 18, 2014, when guardrail posts were left hanging in mid-air after the river undermined the bank

Many of the remaining trees along the most recently affected section (opposite Peterkin Lane) have exposed roots and are threatening to fall into the river, destabilising the bank even further.

Council's Assistant Manager Engineering Services Paul Gallagher said a three kilometre section of road was repaired around five years ago after it collapsed.

The issue is there's no real bottom to the river there.
- Paul Gallagher

A costly $3.5 million repair took place after an 18 month wait which included using sheet piling walls and deadman anchors.

"And it could be a reasonable sum this time around too," Mr Gallagher said.

Thankfully, the recent flooding has been declared a natural disaster, which means council is eligible for State Government funding to cover repairs.

Mr Gallagher is anticipating the repairs will not take as long to begin this time.

"We're hoping it will go quicker this time around because we've got prior knowledge now," he said.

But there will still be some waiting, with geotechnical work to be carried out before a design can be drawn up.

Transport for NSW, as the funding body, will then need to ok the design before it is put out to tender.

Unfortunately the disaster funding doesn't cover any realignment of the road to prevent the problem from happening again. It will only cover repairs to return the road to its prior condition.

A damaged essential public asset may receive funding for reconstruction to its pre-disaster function. Any treatment that results in a variation to the pre-disaster function must be approved by the administering agency prior to any works commencing.
- NSW Natural Disaster Essential Public Asset Guidelines

The road will be closed next Monday and Tuesday (March 15 and 16) between the hours of 7am and 4pm so council staff can remove the majority of trees along the affected section.

A detour will be in place via Congarinni Rd, Coronation Rd, Joffre St and Jellico St.

With more wet weather predicted this year, Mr Gallagher said council will continue to monitor the sections on either side of the land slip.

"But at this stage no other sections are showing distress from the rains," he said.