Community Update - Stay Home & Stay Safe - 4pm 22 March 2021 Waterfall Way closed to all traffic – M…

Existing closures on Waterfall Way are extensive and Council staff continue to work with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to prepare for recovery works however, further geotechnical and environmental investigations need to occur which are currently restricted by heavy rainfall. Council encourages the community not to undertake any non-essential travel or to access the mountain at this time as the road is closed.

The overnight rainfall event has also seen some further closures across our local road network and our community is encouraged to drive to conditions and exercise caution.

Access to the wider road network is also currently constrained by floodwaters but extensive damage is expected across transport infrastructure; particularly in the Kalang region which has experienced greater flood impacts over the last 48hrs.

Council urges everyone to stay home and safe unless travel is absolutely necessary and to continue to monitor information via our Shire’s Disaster Dashboard.

To access our Shire’s Disaster Dashboard, simply click here or go to Bellingen Shire Council’s website at www.bellingen.nsw.gov.au and click on the Disaster Dashboard link prominently located on the website’s Home Page.

When viewing Council’s Flood Camera network please be aware that their functionality has unfortunately been impacted by the length of the severe weather event as well as Telstra Mobile Network connectivity.

Council’s Resilience Officers have been working with the Neighbourhood Care Network to activate the www.bellingenshireconnects.com.au website originally established at the start of the pandemic to provide an avenue for residents to seek assistance with localised needs.

Further the three shire libraries are also providing updated information as it becomes readily available.

In terms of waste collection, Council wishes to advise residents in Dorrigo and surrounds that the scheduled bin collections for Tuesday 23 March will be postponed.  

Due to the extreme weather event and resulting road closures waste collection vehicles are currently unable to access this area. 

Alternative solutions are being investigated and Council will notify residents of these arrangements as soon as possible. In the interim if residents have already put the bin out please leave it at the kerbside until further advice. 

Additional information as provided by the SES is as follows:

For emergency help in floods and storms, call the NSW State Emergency Service on 132 500. In life threatening situations call triple zero (000) immediately. Residents of low lying areas near the river should keep an active watch on the flood waters. Keep in contact with your neighbours. Farmers on low lying land close to rivers and creeks are urged to monitor livestock, pumps and other equipment. Waste and chemical containers should be located well above predicted flood levels. Never walk, drive, play or ride through floodwaters. If it’s flooded, forget it. Motorists should avoid driving through flood waters, which may have washed away road surfaces and could be deeper or faster-flowing than they look.

For more information: