Council is hoping that Jamberoo Mountain Road will be open by Christmas, but the timing is reliant on factors outside of its control.

Due to the complex nature of the damage, which includes undermining of the tarmac, it has taken since early July for the design for the repair to be decided on. The design been now been submitted to the NSW Government for approval before tenders are called for the work, as State funding has been obtained for the significant project.

Safety concerns have prevented even one way traffic on the road.

“I expect we’ll be able to call for construction tenders by the end of October, and for work to start by November,” says Director Engineering & Works, Mike Dowd.

“If we can secure the resources we need, such as equipment and crews, and have good weather, we might be able to have the road open in time for Christmas.

“Having Jamberoo Mountain Road closed is a major inconvenience for many people, and I can assure them we have been wasting no time working on this project.

“As with the last repairs, it is important to spend time getting the investigations done and design right, otherwise we’ll be literally back at the drawing board if the repairs fail.”

Kiama Council is again to lobby for the road to be classified a State road, rather than left a Council responsibility as a Regional road, given its significance as an east/west corridor. An application made for this in 2020 was not successful, and no application was lodged in the 2021 round.

The closure of the road has had a major impact on some Jamberoo businesses, who are losing out on the tourist and commuter trade.