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The popular tourist village of Nimbin is enjoying safer and improved access following the reconstruction of a section of Nimbin Road that was damaged by the February 2022 natural disaster.
Work is now complete on the first stretch, about 1km from Nimbin, which was one of two significant landslips on this essential route that isolated the village in the immediate aftermath of the natural disaster.
Lismore City Council engaged Civil Mining and Construction to carry out the work to the significantly-damaged roadway, which demanded thorough geotechnical assessments and a precisely engineered solution.
Work on the $14.9 million project kicked off in June, starting with extensive earthworks to stabilise the site. This required 239 piles strategically driven into the soil to provide support for the new road, before building a 4.5-metre-high retaining wall.
The contractors also carried out pavement reconstruction, road reinstatement, installation of guardrail barriers, signage, guideposts and line marking.
These works were designed to stabilise the embankment with minimal environmental impact while allowing the road to be re-established to full width. The project took about nine months to complete and was delivered on time and on budget.
These extensive works were funded under the Australian and NSW Governments’ Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement (DRFA).
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“The people of NSW were gripped by the sheer scale of the disaster that unfolded across this region, nearly two years ago.
“Work to restore essential roads has required cooperation by all levels of government to fund and carry out.
“I’m pleased to see the people of Nimbin and of the Lismore region continue to benefit from the hard work and planning this recovery has taken, led by the advocacy of the indefatigable local MP Janelle Saffin.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said:
“Locals who experienced the disaster in 2022 appreciate how much of a combined effort it has taken – and continues to take – for the recovery process.
“I have worked closely with the Nimbin community and all relevant agencies to make these complex road rehabilitation works at two landslip sites a priority.
“The completion of this first project will provide a safe and well-designed road for local residents who call Nimbin home and for tourists who visit this popular tourist destination.
“Access to Nimbin Road will also re-establish access to our other vibrant local villages and cultural attractions in the wider region.”
Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said:
“The reconstruction of this section of Nimbin Road is a major milestone in the recovery of the Lismore local government area.
“Ensuring access to Nimbin was one of Council’s priority projects following the natural disaster as it is essential that our communities are not cut off.
“The completion of the works is great news for the Nimbin community, in particular, and also the wider community and visitors to the tourist town.
“I would like to congratulate Civil Mining and Construction, which worked under tough conditions to get the road repaired while maintaining one traffic lane to allow access to Nimbin.
“I would also like to thank the State and Australian governments for funding this important project, as well as our local State Member Janelle Saffin and our Federal Member Kevin Hogan.
“I am looking forward to the completed reconstruction of the other landslip site on Nimbin Road, about four kilometres from Nimbin, next year.”
COMBINED EFFORT: NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery and State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin and Santa-inspired Lismore Mayor Cr Steve Krieg do the honours with a ribbon cutting to mark completion of what was a mammoth task.
