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Media release

16 March 2022

Tweed Shire Council
 

Don't put people's lives at risk!

Road closure signs and barriers must not be moved

Scenic Drive landslip
Motorists are urged not to remove barriers and road closure signs, such as at this dangerous landslip at Scenic Drive, Bilambil Heights.
Mayor of Tweed Chris Cherry

Residents are urged not to remove road closure signs or barriers – they’re there to keep our community safe!

The Tweed has experienced significant road damage during the flood, with more than 1,500 repair jobs already logged, including 60 damaged bridges across more than 100 Council roads – with more repairs expected as engineers continue their assessments.

Landslips are responsible for most of the Tweed’s expected long-term road closures, including major landslips at Tyalgum Road, Scenic Drive at Bilambil Heights and Reserve Creek Road.

Specialist engineers are on the ground and geotechnical investigations are underway to assess the safety of the landslips and inform the design and construction of repairs.

However, these will take months to complete.

Where required, Council has placed barriers and road closure signs in place and the community is urged to take heed of these signs.

Alarming footage has surfaced on social media showing irresponsible motorists driving on Scenic Drive at Bilambil Heights which has been closed due to 2 serious landslips. The motorists have driven along the closed road – just metres away from the landslip – after first removing Council’s water-filled barriers. These barriers will be replaced by concrete barriers as soon as possible.

Similar dangerous behaviour has also been observed at the landslip on Reserve Creek Road.

Mayor of Tweed Chris Cherry urged motorists not to take their safety or those of others on the road for granted.

“Removing or tampering with barriers is a serious offence and could result in someone being hurt or killed - don’t be that person,” Cr Cherry said.

“Each time Council has to respond to signage and barrier tampering it takes vital resources away from the repair effort.

“Flood damage to our road network is extremely significant and there are still many roads closed as crews continue with the clean-up. Council crews are working as hard as they can but this work will take months, not weeks, to complete.”

Removing road signage is a serious offence and police may be notified.

Follow Council’s social media channels including Facebook for daily updates and visit the Tweed Emergency Dashboard for more information, including road closures and hazards (My Roads Info).

Byrrill Creek Bridge damage
Floodwater damage at the new Byrrill Creek bridge after the February 2022 flood. This just one of 60 damaged bridges in the Tweed after the flood.
 

Downloads 

Photo 1: Scenic Drive landslip

Caption: Motorists are urged not to remove barriers and road closure signs, such as at this dangerous landslip at Scenic Drive, Bilambil Heights.

Photo 2: Byrrill Creek Bridge damage

Caption: Floodwater damage at the new Byrrill Creek bridge after the February 2022 flood.This just one of 60 damaged bridges in the Tweed after the flood.

Additional images and drone footage available upon request.


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Web: tweed.nsw.gov.au/newsroom
Email: communicationstsc@tweed.nsw.gov.au
Phone: 02 6670 2136

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