Captain Cook Bicentennial Dr: Road closed due to crater-sized hole from floods

Sensational images have been taken depicting the true scale of a hole large enough to stand in on a Mid-North Coast road. See the images.

A road that leads to a popular lookout along the Mid-North Coast has been cut due to a human-sized sinkhole which has been sitting dormant since the March floods.

Incredible images taken along Captain Cook Bicentennial Dr by Laurieton resident Jeannine Glasson shows the true scale that the recent rain event has had in the region, creating one hell of a sinkhole large enough to stand in.

The pictures show one of Ms Glasson’s paragliding friends, she knows only as Allen, standing inside the crater-like structure, which resembles something closer to the impact of an asteroid rather than a flood damage.

The scale of the damage to Captain Cook Bicentennial Dr damage, West Haven. Pics supplied

The head height crater was formed by the recent floods in March. Pics supplied

While no properties have been isolated or residents affected by the road closure, the impact has been felt on tourists and Ms Glasson’s local paragliding group which uses Captain Cook Bicentennial Dr to take off from North Brother mountain.

At age 60, she said the closure is preventing her from doing what she loves each day.

“[North Brother Mountain is] a popular tourist attraction both for hiking and picnicking,” she said.

“People can watch paragliding pilots launch or enjoy a tandem flight with qualified instructors.”

She said the “Mid North Coast flyers" and its associated paragliding flying schools, located in Laurieton and Port Macquarie, have bee unable to access their launch site due to the damage caused.

She said the sport keeps her active and her mind clear.

Repairs to the sinkhole should be complete in four weeks

The road is completely cut off to North Brother Mountain

“With these important paragliding sites closed it lends to stress for paragliding pilots and instructors with lack of practice to build skills with less airtime which can effect mental health.

It’s a matter that has been raised with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, who have been working with National Parks and Wildlife on repair works.

“We are very aware of the damages to Captain Cook Bicentennial Drive,” Dan Bylsma, Council’s Director of Infrastructure said.

“The large sinkhole only appeared during the floods, destroying a large section of the road and cutting off safe access to the top of the mountain.

He said it was result of the sustained heavy rainfall, and a cracked stormwater pipe that runs under the road.

Dooragan National Park – North Brother Mountain

“As this road boarders National Parks land, we have been working closely with National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to plan these repairs.

“Our intent is to start works next week to reinstate access and at the moment, we are looking at a timeline of four weeks for these repairs.

“Our road and bridge network sustained significant damages as a result of the March 2021 floods, with more than 300 locations identified as requiring structural repairs. Our initial response has been directed towards restoring access to communities and removing detours.

He said as the council reinstates key routes such as Comboyne Rd and the Stoney Creek Bridge, council will turn its attention to projects such as this, that are not affecting access to residential properties but do provide an important recreational facility for our community.

Ms Glasson said she understood the heavy workload required by council to undertake flood repairs, and in the meantime has been accessing another paragliding launch site for her pursuits.