Community update on Tyalgum Road extreme landslip

Remediation and reconstruction works at the extreme landslip on Tyalgum Road have been delayed following requests to revisit the design as part of the design approval and funding process. 

Works, which were originally expected to get underway in late July, have now been deferred pending finalisation of a revised design.

Council’s Director Engineering David Oxenham apologised to the local community for the delay.

“We know how eager the community is for Tyalgum Road to be repaired and we are doing everything possible to progress this project as quickly as we can,” Mr Oxenham said.

“This is the biggest, most complex landslip we experienced during the 2022 flood and it is imperative we get the design right from the start. The safety of road users, residents and construction workers is our top-most concern.

“As the geotechnical assessment and design process has progressed, additional changes have been made which will delay the commencement of the project but may provide temporary vehicular access quicker than originally expected.

“Unfortunately, due to additional approvals as part of the design process and requirements Council must comply with, the design is being reassessed for the best project outcomes and we are unable to provide a definitive start date right now.”

An aerial image taken of the Tyalgum Road landslip on 1 March 2022 – the day after the flood. This image shows the extent of the landslip – from the slope above the road down to the Oxley River below.

Mr Oxenham said a proposal to ensure access along the length of the slip during construction forms part of the design modifications.

Following a community meeting with Tyalgum residents on 11 July, Council published a survey on its Your Say Tweed webpage seeking community feedback on a proposal to construct a temporary pedestrian footpath alongside the landslip while construction works are undertaken.

“The design changes support the view of the community to have the road access restored as soon as possible,” Mr Oxenham said.

“The technical data recorded over the past 12 months and recent geotechnical assessment supports this possibility. As a result, and following consultation with our contractor SEE Civil, we will prioritise the restoration of vehicle access. This approach avoids the previously planned, five-month limited pedestrian access through the slip site.”

Huge cracks formed along a 100 metre section of Tyalgum Road after the flood of 28 February 2022 caused a landslip, forcing the road to shut.

Once the alternate design is assessed and approved, the revised approach will see the area completely closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic for a period of approximately four weeks while the temporary road is constructed. Once constructed, this will allow vehicles to cross the slip under traffic control.

“We are sorry for the ongoing inconvenience residents are experiencing as a result of this road closure and thank them for their understanding and patience as we work to finalise the design,” Mr Oxenham said.

In March, Council announced the award of a $16 million contract to local construction firm SEE Civil Pty Ltd to design and repair the significant landslip at Tyalgum Road. We thank SEE Civil for their ongoing dedication to this project and acknowledge their efforts to date in progressing this complex project.

For updated information on Council’s flood restoration works on the road network, visit tweed.nsw.gov.au/flood-restoration-works

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