Arabic version: إغلاق طريق جبل ويلسون يعطل حفلات الزفاف والأعمال المحلية
The Mount Wilson Road in the Blue Mountains will be closed to visitors indefinitely from Friday due to significant ground movement caused by recent rainfall. The Blue Mountains City Council announced that the road, which is the only access route to Mount Wilson and Mount Irvine, has become too dangerous for travel. According to ABC News, the council is conducting geotechnical analysis and planning studies to address the damage.
The closure has led to the cancellation of multiple weddings at Breenhold Gardens, a popular venue in the area. Tom Breen, the owner of the garden, expressed concern over the financial impact, estimating losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars due to the cancellation of at least half a dozen weddings and the closure of the garden to walk-in visitors. Breen noted that the autumn season typically attracts more than a thousand visitors each week, making it a prime time for weddings.
Businesses in the region are also bracing for a downturn. Robyn Scrivener, who operates the Kookootonga Chestnut and Walnut Farm, predicted a 60 percent downturn in revenue due to the road closure. She highlighted the urgent need to harvest crops that are typically gathered by visitors, fearing that much of the produce could spoil without proper refrigeration.
The Mount Wilson Progress Association’s vice president, James Douglas, described the community as a remnant of a bygone era, emphasizing the importance of the road for both residents and visitors. He called for swift action from authorities to expedite repairs, noting that the area relies heavily on this single access route for tourism and emergency situations.
The council has acknowledged that the road has faced instability for some time, with previous closures occurring due to increased ground movement. A spokesperson for the NSW Reconstruction Authority stated that they are supporting the council in its efforts to conduct a geotechnical study and plan necessary repairs, but the timeline for reopening the road remains uncertain.
