Report highlights impacts of Waterfall Way closure

BELLINGEN Shire Council has released the findings of its Waterfall Way Business and Community Impact Survey, capturing the far-reaching effects of the nine-week road closure on residents, businesses and community organisations.

The key link road connecting Bellingen to Dorrigo and beyond was closed after a landslip at Gordonville Cutting on January 19.

The survey, which received 1,623 responses across the community, business and organisation sectors, highlights that the closure has impacted far more than travel convenience; affecting access to essential services, economic stability and community wellbeing across the region.

Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan said the results clearly demonstrate the critical importance of Waterfall Way as a regional lifeline.

“This report confirms what our community has been telling us; when Waterfall Way closes, it doesn’t just disrupt travel, it disrupts lives,” Mayor Allan said.

“From accessing healthcare and education to keeping businesses operating, the impacts ripple right across our Shire.”

Key findings

Economic impact:

• A conservative estimate of more than $10.1 million in economic loss occurred over the nine-week closure, including business revenue losses, reduced work income and increased household costs.

Business disruption:

• Over 71 percent of businesses reported reduced revenue
• 72 percent experienced cancelled or delayed work
• Additional freight costs are estimated at $199,300 per week

Access to essential services:

• 90 percent of residents reported impacts to family and support networks
• Nearly 80 percent experienced disruption accessing work and medical appointments

Increased travel burden:

• Residents reported an average of around one extra hour of travel per day
• Combined additional travel time equates to over 750 hours per day across respondents

Community wellbeing:

• More than 56 percent of respondents reported moderate to significant stress
• Social isolation, financial hardship and mental health concerns were widely reported
• Impact on young people and education:
• Nearly 29 percent of households reported impacts on young people
• School travel times increased by 30–60 minutes or more, with significant disruption to transport services

Mayor Allan said the findings strengthen Council’s ongoing advocacy to the State and Federal Government.

“We need immediate investment in safer, more reliable alternate routes, as well as long-term solutions that ensure our communities are not isolated every time a landslip occurs.”

While Waterfall Way has now reopened to one lane under traffic control, this remains a temporary arrangement while detailed design work continues on a permanent rehabilitation solution.