The NSW Government has announced the establishment of the Great Western Highway Community Coordination Taskforce.

The Taskforce is a whole-of-government initiative chaired by the NSW Reconstruction Authority and Transport for NSW, designed to streamline support to those impacted by the prolonged closure of the Great Western Highway.

As part of the initiative, Destination NSW is working with Destination Central West, Blue Mountains Tourism and local councils to understand the challenges facing tourism operators and identify where support can be provided, including through coordinated promotional activity and visitor messaging.

A broader regional response is also underway, including business engagement with industry, work on a regional tourism and communications approach and ongoing coordination with councils and local stakeholders.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “We know this closure is creating uncertainty for local tourism operators across the region.

“That is why Destination NSW is working closely with Destination Central West, councils and local tourism bodies to understand the impacts and identify the right support and promotional opportunities.

“The Blue Mountains and Central West remain open for business, and we want to make sure communities and operators are supported through this disruption and well positioned for recovery.”

The Taskforce will provide a single point of contact for those affected to raise issues with the NSW Government and enable direct collaboration between state agencies to ensure support can be directed where it’s needed most.

It will include representatives from NSW Government agencies, local councils, industry and community stakeholders to ensure government decision-making is informed by the needs of residents and businesses. It will hold its inaugural meeting on 20 March 2026.

The closure of the Great Western Highway remains in place following a serious geotechnical failure at Mitchell’s Causeway. While testing and monitoring remain underway, Transport for NSW continues to observe significant cracking and movement at the closure site, reinforcing the need for a cautious and safety-led response.

Transport for NSW remains the lead agency for managing the closure, site investigations, detours, traffic operations and public transport alternatives.

Transport initiatives include:

  • Extra rail, coach and bus services to support Blue Mountains and Central West communities, while amended school and regular route bus services are helping reduce journey times for students affected by the closure.
  • The Bells Line of Road remains open and continues to carry most detoured traffic.
  • Crews are taking advantage of the final weeks of warm weather to complete essential road works on the Darling Causeway, including widening shoulders on the narrow route to improve safety and support traffic flow during the closure.
  • An incident management team has been established to coordinate with local councils, freight operators, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and other agencies, while the NHVR has established an enforcement site at Mount Boyce to strengthen oversight of the freight task and traffic movements.

The Acting Small Business Commissioner is also meeting with Lithgow and Blue Mountains Business Chambers and local businesses to identify the support needed to navigate the closure.

Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said: “This is a serious disruption that is having an impact on community, business, freight – this is why our response must be broader than the road itself; we want the community to help inform our response.

“I reaffirm that Transport for NSW remains focused on the operational task: managing the closure, the detours, the transport network and the technical work needed to reopen this road safely and as quickly as possible.

“At the same time, we are making sure the broader community impacts are being addressed, including for small businesses, tourism operators, schools, freight and essential services through this whole of Government response.

“This is a serious geotechnical failure on an essential connection and people deserve clear, regular and honest updates, and that is exactly what we are committed to providing.”

Minister for Recovery and Small Business Janelle Saffin said: "The establishment of this Taskforce is about making sure communities are not left to navigate this disruption on their own.

“Our focus is on creating a formal mechanism to streamline information across all levels of government, ensuring clear and consistent public information as the situation evolves.

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority’s specialised experience in coordinating large-scale recovery efforts is exactly what’s needed to navigate the challenges of this current disruption.

“I am pleased the NSW Reconstruction Authority is able to support Transport for NSW in ensuring the state’s resources are aligned to the needs of the community.”

Member for Blue Mountains Trish Doyle said: “This closure is being felt right across the Mountains and beyond, and local residents, businesses and communities need coordinated support.

“I welcome this stronger whole-of-government response and practical support.

“We know this is a very difficult period for many local businesses and families, and it is important that government continues listening and responding as the situation develops.”

NSW Labor spokesperson for Bathurst Stephen Lawrence MLC said: “I have been speaking directly with local residents, businesses and industry who are feeling the impact of this closure.

“This taskforce is about ensuring local voices are heard.”