Wolgan Road Reconstruction

Share Wolgan Road Reconstruction on Facebook Share Wolgan Road Reconstruction on Twitter Share Wolgan Road Reconstruction on Linkedin Email Wolgan Road Reconstruction link

The Wolgan Road Reconstruction Project is progressing to the next key stage: comparing different alignment options to determine the most suitable long-term solution for restoring access to the Wolgan Valley.

To do this in a transparent and balanced way, the project team is using a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) based on the Transport for NSW MCA framework. This approach allows different road options to be assessed against a consistent set of objectives, considering safety, resilience, environmental and community impacts, cost, and deliverability.

What is a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA)?

An MCA is a structured decision-making tool that helps compare different options by looking at multiple factors, not just cost.

Each road option is assessed against agreed criteria such as safety for road users, long-term reliability, environmental and cultural impacts, community effects, and overall value for money over time.

Project objectives being assessed

The MCA will assess how well each road option meets objectives including restoring access to the Wolgan Valley, improving safety, reducing geotechnical risks, delivering value for money, minimising environmental, cultural, visual and property impacts, and reducing approval and delivery risks.

Road options being considered

Several shortlisted options will be assessed, including upgrading the existing alignment to modern standards, restoring the road to its pre-disaster condition with improvements, a hybrid option, an alternate alignment on a new corridor, and an option broadly following the Donkey Steps track.

How options will be assessed

Each option will be evaluated using evidence such as safety and geotechnical assessments, environmental footprint, travel times, resilience to closures, construction and maintenance costs, land impacts, and approval risks. Options are scored consistently so they can be compared fairly.

Community involvement

Community feedback is an important part of finalising the MCA criteria. The project team will present the MCA process and draft criteria to the community and seek feedback on the types of criteria being used. Input from Aboriginal knowledge holders will help inform how Aboriginal cultural values are considered.

Your feedback will help ensure the final assessment reflects local knowledge, community values and the issues that matter most to people in the Wolgan Valley. We encourage you to share your views by completing the survey below and through the feedback process as the project moves forward.

What happens next

After community feedback is considered, final MCA criteria will be endorsed by the Executive Oversight Committee (made up of Council, NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW), an MCA workshop will be held, results documented, and a summary of outcomes shared with the community. This ensures decisions are evidence-based, transparent and informed by community values.

For more information, visit the Wolgan Road Reconstruction Project.

The Wolgan Road Reconstruction Project is progressing to the next key stage: comparing different alignment options to determine the most suitable long-term solution for restoring access to the Wolgan Valley.

To do this in a transparent and balanced way, the project team is using a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) based on the Transport for NSW MCA framework. This approach allows different road options to be assessed against a consistent set of objectives, considering safety, resilience, environmental and community impacts, cost, and deliverability.

What is a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA)?

An MCA is a structured decision-making tool that helps compare different options by looking at multiple factors, not just cost.

Each road option is assessed against agreed criteria such as safety for road users, long-term reliability, environmental and cultural impacts, community effects, and overall value for money over time.

Project objectives being assessed

The MCA will assess how well each road option meets objectives including restoring access to the Wolgan Valley, improving safety, reducing geotechnical risks, delivering value for money, minimising environmental, cultural, visual and property impacts, and reducing approval and delivery risks.

Road options being considered

Several shortlisted options will be assessed, including upgrading the existing alignment to modern standards, restoring the road to its pre-disaster condition with improvements, a hybrid option, an alternate alignment on a new corridor, and an option broadly following the Donkey Steps track.

How options will be assessed

Each option will be evaluated using evidence such as safety and geotechnical assessments, environmental footprint, travel times, resilience to closures, construction and maintenance costs, land impacts, and approval risks. Options are scored consistently so they can be compared fairly.

Community involvement

Community feedback is an important part of finalising the MCA criteria. The project team will present the MCA process and draft criteria to the community and seek feedback on the types of criteria being used. Input from Aboriginal knowledge holders will help inform how Aboriginal cultural values are considered.

Your feedback will help ensure the final assessment reflects local knowledge, community values and the issues that matter most to people in the Wolgan Valley. We encourage you to share your views by completing the survey below and through the feedback process as the project moves forward.

What happens next

After community feedback is considered, final MCA criteria will be endorsed by the Executive Oversight Committee (made up of Council, NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW), an MCA workshop will be held, results documented, and a summary of outcomes shared with the community. This ensures decisions are evidence-based, transparent and informed by community values.

For more information, visit the Wolgan Road Reconstruction Project.

  • Wolgan Road upgrade options assessment - Criteria Survey

    A Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) is being used to compare the reconstruction options for Wolgan Road. The MCA builds on project objectives to determine criteria and then identify measures to assess each option against the criteria. These are illustrated below: 

    Objectives 

    Criteria 

    Measure 

    1. Restore access to the Wolgan Valley as a priority  

    Full road access 

    Month and year of opening 

    2. Reduce safety risks for all road users  

    Safe System Assessment  

    Safe System Assessment score 

    3. Reduce ongoing geotechnical risks to Wolgan Road  

    Geotechnical Risk  

    Geotechnical Risk Score  

    4. Achieve a cost-effective solution  

    30-year project costs for each option  

    • Total project costs over 30 years 

    • Total capital cost 

    • Total maintenance costs (30 years) 

    5. Minimise biodiversity impacts  

    Total area of clearing  

    Area of clearing (hectares) 

    Impact on biodiversity corridors  

    Extent of the severance on new or existing biodiversity corridors 

    6. Minimise impacts on Aboriginal cultural values  

    To be determined by Aboriginal knowledge holders  

    To be determined by Aboriginal knowledge holders 

    7. Minimise ongoing economic costs to the community  

    Disruption to normal travel time 

    Estimated travel time 

    Estimated road closure due to landslides 

    Annual estimated road closure duration 

    8. Minimise visual impacts  

    Extent of visual impact  

    Visual impact score 

    9. Minimise project approval risks  

    Approvals risk 

    Environmental approvals risks and funding risks  

    Project funding risks 

    10. Minimise property impacts 

    Level of acquisition 

    Number, area and type of acquisitions (i.e. private, public or other land ownership) 


    This form asks you to review the proposed criteria and how they will be measured. Your feedback will directly inform how the assessment is structured. 

    This is not a general feedback form, and it is not asking you to choose a preferred option. It is focused on answering the question: are these the right criteria and measures to assess upgraded road alignment options?

    This survey will be available until Friday, 12 June 2026.

    Take Survey
    Share Wolgan Road upgrade options assessment - Criteria Survey on Facebook Share Wolgan Road upgrade options assessment - Criteria Survey on Twitter Share Wolgan Road upgrade options assessment - Criteria Survey on Linkedin Email Wolgan Road upgrade options assessment - Criteria Survey link
Page last updated: 28 May 2026, 09:09 AM