Wolgan Road Reconstruction

Lithgow City Council understands the significant impact the Wolgan Road closure has had on residents, businesses and the broader Wolgan Valley community.

Over recent months, Council has listened carefully to community feedback and continued discussions with local Aboriginal Knowledge Holders about the future of Wolgan Road. A consistent theme has been the desire to restore access as soon as possible and to focus on a practical, deliverable solution.

This feedback, along with consideration of further technical, constructability investigations and environmental and cultural heritage investigations, and project costs, Council will focus on progressing Option 2, which involves the reuse of the existing Wolgan Road alignment. Community feedback demonstrated strong support for reusing the existing road, while local Aboriginal Knowledge Holders have continued to support the reuse of Wolgan Road, particularly Option 2.

Taking this feedback and project development information into account, Council has decided to focus on progressing Option 2, which was endorsed by the Wolgan Road Executive Oversight Committee (WREOC), which includes representatives from the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW. Council will now move forward with the work needed to restore access to the Wolgan Valley, while continuing to keep the community informed along the way.

While Wolgan Road remains closed to public access, Council remains committed to the interim works required to allow the restricted reopening of Wolgan Road, provided risk and insurance issues can be resolved. Council has been informed by its insurer that insurance for the interim reopening of Wolgan Road is not available based on the known rockfall risks.

Council is working to resolve the rockfall risk and related insurance coverage issue in parallel with progressing Option 2 as quickly as possible, however, Council cannot commit to the previously advised interim reopening of Wolgan Road in 2026. Council will continue to update the Community as more details become available. The Donkey Steps remains the only legal and authorised access road into and out of the Wolgan Valley.

Council advises the community that Wolgan Road will remain closed to public access. While Council understands the impact this will have on residents and businesses, legal and safety considerations mean the road cannot be reopened for use. Additional signage and barriers will be installed to reinforce the closure. Donkey Steps remains the only legal and authorised access route into and out of the Wolgan Valley.