Snowy Mountains Highway natural disaster recovery

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Transport for NSW is working to repair landslip damage on the Snowy Mountains Highway at Brown Mountain as part of the natural disaster recovery response across the state’s road network.

Brown Mountain natural disaster recovery

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July 2025 - Second last landslip site repaired

Work is now complete at the second last landslip site on the Snowy Mountains Highway at Brown Mountain.

Work at the landslip site (Site 72), which was damaged during severe natural disaster events in 2022, saw the installation of long steel rods, known as soil nails into the side of the mountain. 

This treatment aims to add strength to the failed section of slope, before mesh and spray-on concrete are applied to prevent further erosion.

This work follows a major effort last year to repair four separate landslip sites, completed at a cost of $6.7 million.

Changed traffic conditions including single lane closures under stop/slow arrangements and a reduced speed limit will remain in place for the safety of workers and motorists.

Transport for NSW (Transport) will continue to keep the community informed as planning for the final site under the natural disaster recovery program is developed.

The steep and narrow sections of road have created challenges for the work, with machinery operating in spaces narrower than a standard single car garage.
Specialist contract workers installed hundreds of long steel rods, known as soil nails, to help stabilise the landslip area. The soil nails - each up to 11 metres long - were drilled into the slope under the road
Transport for NSW Snowy Mountains Highway works - steel reinforcing mesh is layered.
Transport for NSW Repairs were carried out under difficult conditions with workers either suspended on platforms or abseiling ropes to perform essential tasks, such as spraying a layer of concrete that will prevent erosion during future heavy rainfall events.

Project information

View larger version of map (PDF, 229.48 KB).

Background

Successive natural disasters in recent years, including bushfires and floods, have caused significant damage across NSW state roads on the South Coast.. After severe storms in 2022 and 2023, Transport for NSW continues to repair landslip damage at more than 100 sites on several key state roads. This includes nine landslips on the Snowy Mountains Highway at Brown Mountain.

Repairs have been completed at eight of these sites and planning is under way for repairs at the final site.

Meeting the challenges

Landslip sites can require complex repairs. 

The repairs depend on factors at each site and could include:

  • removing loose rocks, soil and vegetation
  • stabilising and adding strength to the damaged slope
  • upgrading stormwater drains
  • repairing road surfaces and replacing guardrails.

Factors out of Transport’s control can cause delays to our progress with repairs, including:

  • workload – the statewide increase in demand for qualified contractors, equipment and resources could mean longer timeframes for repairs.
  • worksite – steep and narrow sites could create some unexpected challenges.
  • weather - heavy rain and storms could make working conditions unsafe.

Next Steps

Transport for NSW continues with procurement processes to secure specialist contractors for repair work at the last landslip site on Snowy Mountains Highway at Brown Mountain.

A work schedule will be negotiated with the successful contractors after the contracts have been awarded.

The work is expected to begin in the coming months.

Contact us

For further information about this project, please contact:

Email:  SouthProjects@transport.nsw.gov.au

Mail: Brown Mountain natural disaster recovery project, PO Box 477, Wollongong NSW 2520

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