I speak tonight on a topic that I have not stopped pursuing for a couple of months now, and that is the closure of Victoria Pass on the Great Western Highway. I draw attention to the topic again because it is important to put on record that the Government and I recognise the significant and ongoing disruption the closure is causing for local communities, small businesses, schools and families, freight operators and the tourism sector. I know the closure is hard for my community in the Blue Mountains. I take this opportunity to thank them for their patience, understanding and, in the main, respectful communication despite feeling frustrated. I also particularly give a shout‑out to a committee that was formed in the community. They call themselves the "Victoria Pass closure – local impact committee". It brings together a number of people, particularly in the Mount Victoria community, and also has a representative from the Hartley District Progress Association.

Transport for NSW and the Government needed to close the eastbound lane of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass on Thursday 5 March 2026 after a defect was identified, with geotechnical assessments commencing immediately. Further cracking was detected in the westbound lane on 8 and 9 March. Monitoring then confirmed that there was movement within the road structure and potential instability in the underlying foundation. As a result, both lanes of the highway between Little Hartley and Mount Victoria remain closed until further notice. Safety has been, and will always be, our number one priority. That is why we continue to urge community members, visitors and all road users to follow the directions of the Transport for NSW staff.

We are focused on delivering the quickest, most efficient solution to reinstate this link on the Great Western Highway. In response to this happening, which has been devastating for some and really inconvenient, the Government acted swiftly. The Premier established a taskforce that is led by Transport for NSW and the Reconstruction Authority. We have provided extra train services and free coach services that move between the mountains and the Central West. We also committed $50 million to upgrade the key detour routes across the Blue Mountains and the Central West. That funding has been improving the reliability and the safety along the Darling Causeway, the Chifley Road and Main Street in Lithgow through resurfacing, shoulder widening and line‑marking works to manage the significant increase in traffic and freight volumes through those areas.

Since the $50 million detour package commitment was made in March, nearly 76,000 square metres and over 20,000 tonnes of asphalt have been laid, and over 102 kilometres of line marking completed. That work is critical to ensure that the detour route remains safe, reliable and open while Victoria Pass is closed. I take a moment to acknowledge the media release the Minister for Roads issued yesterday, saying that we are moving with pace and announcing two engineering consortia selected by Transport for NSW. They are being led by experienced construction firms. The different proposals will be assessed and developed side by side over the next four weeks to determine the safest and fastest solution to reopen the road.

Importantly, the Government is also examining the potential for staged approaches that could allow limited access on the Great Western Highway through Victoria Pass while the road is being repaired. I hope that helps a lot of the schoolchildren travelling. I thank Transport for NSW, the roads and trains crews, the Reconstruction Authority, my staff and the people who reach out, understandably, with frustration. The three death threats that I have received because the road is broken are not acceptable. I encourage people to be respectful when they reach out and express their frustrations. I remind everyone that next week is National Road Safety Week. Drive safely and to conditions.