00:02This convict-built bridge couldn't withstand 21st century traffic.
00:07With damage far worse than initially suspected, it was close to collapse.
00:13One month on from the section's closure, the government has abandoned its timeline for reopening.
00:19It's clear that it will be longer than three months, but I'm not going to put a figure out there
00:23because that would be irresponsible.
00:26Geotechnical investigations have already taken two weeks longer than scheduled, with delays leaving businesses worried.
00:34It feels eerie because there's no one around, so our sales are probably down a good 90%.
00:40These autumn colours usually attract around 150 visitors a week to Hartley's Japanese gardens. Now they're getting about five.
00:49Unless we get some support financially, it's going to be a real hard struggle.
00:55A survey of 300 businesses shows their prices are already skyrocketing due to supply chain disruptions and the ongoing fuel
01:04crisis.
01:05If they don't get support soon, you know, we will see businesses closed, we will see businesses letting go of
01:10staff.
01:10The government says it's still working out what a financial package might look like.
01:15We're looking at water options to do that. There's a different impact for different businesses.
01:21Farmers and businesses need more than sympathy, they need certainty.
01:25We're really concerned that this region could go into a harder economic downturn than the rest of regional New South
01:31Wales.
01:32Studies of the bedrock below show the damaged road can be rebuilt on the same alignment.
01:37It's now up to engineers from around the world to work out just how.
01:42We'll see you soon.
01:42Next slide please.
01:44Bye.
01:45Bye.
01:46Bye.
01:46Bye.
Comments