Oxley Highway landslips being cleared 'around the clock' for reopening between Yarras and Walcha

The road has been closed for weeks after dozens of landslides, forcing holiday-makers and locals to travel on longer, alternative routes.

Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the state government had been working hard with Walcha and Port Macquarie Hastings councils, geotechnical experts and local contractors to assess the damage following last month's severe weather event.

"The Oxley Highway is an incredibly important stretch of road which had to be closed for safety reasons after experiencing more than 70 landslips, 10 of which were major," Mr Barilaro said.

"Getting the highway reopened will be no easy task, particularly as some of these slips were from below the roadway, making it dangerous for repair crews to access the sites.

"We are working around the clock to reconnect communities and open the road, with heavy machinery being brought in and trucks hauling tonnes of material away, including rocks and fallen trees."

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Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said provisions were in place to help keep affected locals connected.

"Access has been provided for emergency vehicles, for those working to restore essential services to local residents, and for residents along some sections of the highway," Mr Anderson said.

"Upcoming work between Yarras and Walcha includes looking at what temporary works are required to partially reopen the road safely."

Oxley MP Melinda Pavey said crews had been taking advantage of the better conditions, working to prepare the route to progressively reopen in sections, initially to single-lane, alternate flow.

"I know the importance of this route to local communities and visitors, and thank them for understanding the challenges we are facing to get traffic back on this vital transport and freight route as soon as safely possible," Mrs Pavey said.

"Crews have also been carrying out geotechnical assessments but it will still be a number of months before we can safely allow motorists along this part of the highway."

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