Regional mayors issue joint statement on Waterfall Way

Joint statement

Waterfall Way is a critical east–west transport corridor linking the New England tablelands with the Mid North Coast.

It supports agricultural production and freight, enables access to health, education and essential services, and provides a vital connection for businesses, residents and emergency services.

Recent and ongoing closures have again exposed the vulnerability of this route and the lack of resilience in the wider road network.

For communities on both sides of the range, these disruptions are not isolated events but recurring and compounding challenges with significant flow-on impacts for local economies and livelihoods.

The mayors [acknowledge] the Minns Labor Government’s recent announcement to undertake a detailed corridor assessment of Waterfall Way and Mid North Coast roads between Bellingen and Dorrigo, including investigations into short-term fixes and potential long-term upgrades to support access and alternate routes during extreme weather.

While welcomed, [we] stress that assessment must be matched with a clear commitment to funding and delivery.

We cannot afford another cycle of studies without action.

Our regions need solutions implemented on the ground, not just identified on paper.

In the immediate term, [we] are also calling on the NSW and Australian Governments to approve Category D assistance under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The scale, duration and cumulative impacts of repeated and prolonged closures go well beyond standard recovery measures and warrant exceptional support for affected communities and businesses.

[We] are calling for:

– Formal recognition of Waterfall Way as infrastructure of regional and state significance

– investment in long-term, resilient solutions rather than repeated emergency repairs

– Approval of Category D DRFA assistance to address exceptional and ongoing impacts

– Proper assessment and funding of viable alternate routes to strengthen the regional road network.

Without sustained investment and appropriate disaster assistance… communities, industries and essential services will continue to bear the economic, social and safety costs of an unreliable transport corridor.

From Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan: “I hear the stories of distress from the entire community.”

“The cancelled cattle sales, delayed or cancelled deliveries to small businesses resulting in increased costs for the people who can afford it least, school children unable to get to school, and commute times from the plateau to the coast blowing out – [these] are just some of the impacts of this road being closed.

“People are stretched – not just because of this closure, but because of multiple slips compounded year on year, with effects rippling across the community.

“Waterfall Way is not just a local road — it is a lifeline connecting two regions and supporting thousands of jobs, businesses and families.

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to assess the corridor, but assessment must now be backed by funding and delivery.

“Given the scale and ongoing nature of the disruption, Category D disaster assistance is also essential to support communities and businesses while long-term solutions are delivered.”

Mayor Steve Allan, Bellingen Shire Council

Mayor Nikki Wiiliams, City of Coffs Harbour

Mayor Gary Lee, Nambucca Valley Council

Mayor Kinne Ring, Kempsey Shire Council

Mayor Adam Roberts, Port Macquarie Hastings Council

Mayor Ray Smith, Clarence Valley Council

Mayor Sam Coupland, Armidale Regional Council

Mayor Robert Bell, Uralla Shire Council.