Current Alerts

Closure of Wolgan Road, Wolgan Valley
Updated 22 December 2024

By order of Lithgow City Council, Wolgan Road at Wolgan Gap remains closed to all traffic including motorbikes, bicycles and mountain bikes, due to a major landslip that took place on 9 November 2022.

Wolgan Valley residents, landholders and businesses only are authorised to use the temporary alternate road and associated locked gate, referred to as the Donkey Steps track, to Wolgan Valley.

No other vehicles, including motorbikes, bicycles and mountain bikes, are permitted.

This temporary road has high gradients, is narrow in places and is only suitable for light 4WD use.

Authorised vehicles are to use UHF channel 20 and maintain radio communication at all times whilst using the track. A gate located at the top of Donkey Steps near Checkpoint 1 is to remain locked at all times when not in use.

Lithgow City Council enacted the Donkey Steps Access Procedure on the 31 August 2023 which must be adhered to at all times and should be read in conjunction with the Donkey Steps Access Strategy (Version 8) as follows:

UHF Etiquette

Even with traffic lights operating, before travelling along the Donkey Steps route, each vehicle/convoy must:

a) Turn on UHF and listen for traffic. Park in a safe area while doing so.
b) Wait for green on the traffic signals
c) Announce your location.
d) Announce vehicle type and colour.
e) Announce you have commenced travel. (e.g. inbound checkpoint 1, Checkpoint signs have been installed to streamline the call process).
f) Begin your trip announcing checkpoints as you go.
g) Announce once you have completed your journey and have reached the bottom/top of the route.

Traffic Lights
Traffic lights have been installed and the operation of the lights are as follows:

1. If the traffic lights are idle i.e. there has been not vehicles for over 10 minutes:

a. On approaching the traffic lights the vehicle is detected and the traffic lights will show GREEN for 6 seconds.
b. The driver may proceed making the usual calls on UHF channel 20 as they progress.
c. Following vehicles will receive a GREEN light if arriving within 20 second of the previous vehicle.
d. The lights will allow 10 minutes for the route to clear of vehicles.

2. If the traffic lights are in the 10 minute travel window.

a. On approaching the lights, STOP on the RED signal. The waiting vehicle is detected.
b. After 10 minutes maximum the light will turn GREEN for 6 seconds.
c. The driver may proceed making the usual calls on UHF channel 20 as they progress.
d. Following vehicles will receive a GREEN light if arriving within 20 second of the previous vehicle.
e. The lights will allow 10 minutes for the route to clear of vehicles.

All National Parks camping grounds in Wolgan Valley are closed and any enquiries concerning camping in the area will need to be referred to NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service on 1300 072 757 or their website at https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/about-npws/contact-us.

Camping is still available at the Newnes Holiday Cabins – please contact them at https://www.newneshotelcabins.com  for further information.

For any enquiries on the access to Wolgan Valley and issues that may arise please contact Council using the email address , or directly by telephone on 02 6354 9999.

 

To report an emergency

• Call Triple Zero (000)
• If you are deaf or have a speech or hearing impairment, call 106

To report a landslip or flood water inundation along Wolgan Road

• Call Lithgow City Council on 6354 9999 or contact emergency services on 000.

 

To report fallen power lines or damaged electrical infrastructure

• Call Endeavour Energy immediately on 131 003 or contact emergency services on 000.

 

For emergency help during floods or storms

• Call NSW Emergency Services on 132 500

 

For emergency information on fires

• Check the NSW Rural Fire Service Fires Near Me page for current incidents
• Listen to local media
• Check social media such as NSW RFS Facebook and NSW RFS Twitter
• Bush Fire Information Line – 1800 679 737
• If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, contact the NSW Rural Fire Service through the National Relay Service
  • TTY users phone 1800 555 677 then ask for 1800 679 737
  • Speak and Listen users phone 1800 555 727 then ask for 1800 679 737
  • Internet relay users connect to the NRS then ask for 1800 679 737
  • To report a fire or emergency (TTY users only), access TTY 106.

 

For information on road closures

• Check NSW Live Traffic NSW West Traffic Hazards page for current incidents
• Call Lithgow City Council on 6354 9999
• Check social media such as Lithgow City Council Facebook and NSW Live Traffic Twitter

 

For information on damaged power infrastructure and power outages

• Never approach fallen powerlines. Keep at least eight metres away from them and anything they may be touching such as trees and fences.
• Call Endeavour Energy on 131003
• Check the Endeavour Energy page for current incidents
• Listen to local media
• Check social media such as Endeavour Energy Facebook and Endeavour Energy Twitter