Transport for NSW said a landslide at Bells Line of Road at Mount Tomah, which together with Hawkesbury River flooding is preventing communities around North Richmond from accessing goods, is on its radar and it will assess the situation when the weather clears.
Bells Line of Road between Darling Causeway and Berambing Crest has been closed since 8am Sunday due to a landslide, isolating communities west of the Hawkesbury River who were already bound due to flooding and the closure of the Richmond and Windsor bridges.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson told the Gazette:
"The safety of crews and community remains a top priority for Transport for NSW.
"We are prioritising assessments of the damage on our networks, including roads and rail, and will continue to carry out emergency repair work when it is safe for our crews to do so.
"As the weather impacts start to subside in coming days, we will be in a position to provide more detailed updates about planned repair work.
"Crews will work to stabilise the slope as soon as possible but an exact timeframe is not possible to predict until a more detailed inspection can occur and rain eases."
The landslide has brought down several large trees.
Motorists on the Blue Mountains side of Bells Line of Road are advised to use the Great Western Highway as an alternative route - but this doesn't help residents on the Hawkesbury side.
Macquarie MP Susan Templeman is lobbying for a solution for the isolated communities and said the authorities ought to look at alternative measures to get food and supplies into the region, including heavy-lift helicopters from the nearby Richmond RAAF Base.
She said she had been in direct contact with Federal Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud about the urgent need for essential food and medical supplies for communities isolated on the western side of the river.
"I believe Defence Force resources could assist the State Emergency Service (SES) with this task," she said on Tuesday via a statement on Facebook.
"The critical situation is the result of the bridges being closed and a landslide at Mount Tomah cutting road access on Bells Line of Road.
"It means shops have unable to restock essentials like bread, milk, and nappies.
"When I spoke with Coles yesterday they said they had two trucks ready to go in but were denied access."
At 11.30am Tuesday, Ms Templeman said she had been advised by the Federal Minister's office of an emergency meeting between the supermarkets and key NSW agencies to resolve the food shortage issue west of the river.
In the meantime, Transport for NSW is urging road users to check https://www.livetraffic.com/ before making a journey, due to the number of flood-related road closures around the region.
For more information on how to prepare for storms and floods, visit ses.nsw.gov.au
For emergency assistance in a flood or storm, call NSW SES on 132 500. If the situation is life-threatening call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
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Sarah Falson
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
