Armidale Regional Council restricts landslip affected Kempsey Road use

Armidale-Kempsey Road was impacted by bushfires at the end of 2019, flooding early in 2020, and two further natural disaster events in late 2020 and early 2021, each causing full or partial closures, including a large landslip that stranded 300 people in Bellbrook.

On Tuesday, a project team inspected the site and agreed with the contractor for limited and controlled access through the slip area at set times.

A spokesperson for the council said areas of instability within the slip remain, and it is important that access is used only for essential requirements and that the instructions of site personnel are followed at all times.

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The slope will be will be continually assessed throughout the day, and provided the conditions allow, the road will be opened to escorted access between 8am and 8.30am, 12pm to 12.30pm, and 4pm to 4.30pm from Monday through to Friday and from 8am to 8.30am and 1pm to 1.30pm on Saturday. The road will remain closed on Sunday.

Limited Kempsey Road access commenced on Wednesday, and Armidale Council said the road would remain closed outside these times for another three weeks.

"It is important that residents check for updates before attempting to access through the site as the access windows will need to be cancelled if active instability is detected," they said.

"We understand the frustration this closure is causing, and we are doing everything possible to get unrestricted access back through the slip area as soon as possible."

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