NSW Pledges $3.5M for Towns Hit by Highway Closure

When a crack appeared in a 190-year-old bridge two months ago, it didn't just close a road. It silenced an entire valley.

The Great Western Highway shut down unexpectedly at Victoria Pass in March after engineers discovered dangerous movement in Mitchell's Causeway, a convict-built bridge from the 1830s. The closure diverted 12,000 daily vehicles away from Mount Victoria, Hartley, Little Hartley, and Hartley Vale.

Within weeks, local businesses recorded sales drops of 90 percent. The lolly shop sat empty. The Japanese garden had no visitors. Shop owners cut hours and laid off staff as their once-busy villages turned quiet.

Now, help has arrived. The NSW government announced a $3.5 million support package this week to cushion the blow until the highway reopens.

Small businesses in the hardest-hit towns can apply for $10,000 grants if they've lost at least 40 percent of their trade since March 9. Small Business Minister Janelle Saffin delivered the news personally during a visit to Lithgow, calling it a "buffer" to help businesses survive the unexpected crisis.

Eight regional councils will receive $15,000 each to boost their visitor economies, including Orange, Dubbo, Forbes, and Bathurst. Another 11 councils gained access to $5,000 community event grants to keep local life vibrant during the detour period.

The minister acknowledged the approval process took longer than anyone wanted. "I know in disasters everyone's impacted, but we do have to target it and make sure it gets to those who need it," Saffin said.

The Bright Side

This package shows government can respond when communities sound the alarm. Business owners called for help early, fearing the initial three-month closure estimate was optimistic. Their voices reached the top.

Minister Saffin left the door open for more assistance, telling Lithgow residents her "ears are open" to additional needs. Meanwhile, Transport for NSW is choosing between two design solutions for the causeway, with a decision expected by late June.

The detour through Chifley Road remains steep and winding, creating delays and safety concerns. But the financial relief means businesses won't have to weather this storm alone while engineers work to safely reopen this critical link between Sydney and the Central West.