A 37‑metre stretch of Obi Obi Road south‑west of Mapleton will be closed to one lane for about four weeks while the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) stabilises a rain‑damaged embankment that has been prone to slipping.
The Queensland Government will begin slope stabilisation works on Monday 21 September on a section of Obi Obi Road approximately one kilometre south‑west of Mapleton Falls Road. A TMR spokesperson said the project was needed to “repair and stabilise the embankment that runs parallel to Obi Obi Road following damage during previous rainfall events”. The “works will treat the embankment to reduce the likelihood of future land slips and provide a safer and more resilient road for motorists,” the spokesperson said.
The job is being delivered under TMR’s Maintenance, Preservation and Operations program and is expected to take around four weeks, weather and scheduling permitting. Work hours are Monday to Friday, 6 am – 4 pm.
Motorists should allow extra travel time through the area. Lane closures, shuttle‑flow traffic management and reduced speed limits will be in place during the works, with drivers urged to follow the directions of traffic controllers and signage.
Part of a pattern on Obi Obi Road
The latest works follow a cluster of landslip repairs on the same corridor over the past few years. Last month, TMR contractors scaled loose rock from a nearby site on Obi Obi Road to reduce safety risks.
In 2024, the department completed landslip repair works at three locations on Obi Obi Road near Obi Obi Range. Those repairs were funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and addressed damage across the North Coast Region from the 2022 flooding and rain events.
Together, the projects point to an ongoing challenge for the Range road network: steep, heavily timbered sections of road that are vulnerable to slips during intense rain, then require repeated engineering fixes to keep them open and safe.
What the works involve
On this 37‑metre section, TMR says the project will include:
- Landslip stabilisation, including shotcrete and soil nails
- Road shoulder reconstruction
- Pavement reinstatement
- Kerbing and drainage improvements
In simple terms, soil nails are steel bars drilled into the slope and grouted in place, while shotcrete is a spray‑applied concrete layer that locks the surface together. Used in combination, they reinforce the embankment so it is less likely to slide onto the road during future heavy rain.
TMR said it continues to monitor and maintain road assets across the region and would advise the community of any future projects as they are confirmed.
Why do landslips keep happening on Obi Obi Road?
Obi Obi Road runs through some of the most steeply dissected country on the Range, where narrow ridges, deep gullies and heavily timbered slopes meet a road network that was often aligned decades ago to follow the contours.
That combination creates a recurring problem:
- Steep, unstable slopes – Many sections of road sit on or below cut embankments that are inherently prone to movement, especially where the ground is a mix of soil, weathered rock and fill.
- High and intense rainfall – The Blackall Range regularly receives heavy downpours and prolonged wet periods. When the ground becomes saturated, water pressure builds up in the soil and rock, reducing friction and making slopes more likely to slip.
- Legacy of extreme events – The 2022 flooding and rain events caused widespread damage across the North Coast Region. On Obi Obi Road alone, TMR completed landslip repairs at three locations near Obi Obi Range in 2024, funded through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
- Ageing road assets – Sections of road and drainage built to older standards can struggle to cope with more intense modern rainfall, leading to repeated failures at known trouble spots.
- Limited realignment options – In many places, there is little room to move the road further back from the slope without major earthworks, environmental impact or land acquisition. That means engineers often have to stabilise the existing embankment in place, using techniques like soil nails and shotcrete.
The result is a pattern familiar to locals: after significant rain, TMR and council crews respond to slips, clear debris, and carry out repairs; then, over time, invest in more permanent stabilisation works like the current 37‑metre project.
TMR says it continues to monitor and maintain road assets across the region and will advise the community of any future projects as they are confirmed. For residents, the message is that while individual embankments can be reinforced, the underlying geography and climate mean landslip risk on the Range is an ongoing management challenge rather than a one‑off fix.
Local impact
Obi Obi Road is a key access route for residents between Mapleton and the hinterland, as well as for visitors heading towards Mapleton Falls and local farms, galleries and B&Bs.
While TMR expects only “minor delays”, locals who rely on the road for daily commutes, school trips and emergency access are likely to feel the impact of lane closures and shuttle‑flow traffic, particularly during peak times.
Getting through the work zone
TMR is advising motorists to:
- Allow extra travel time when using Obi Obi Road between Mapleton and Mapleton Falls Road
- Expect lane closures and reduced speeds through the work zone
- Follow all signage and instructions from traffic controllers
For the latest on roadworks and closures, drivers can check TMR’s traffic and travel information online.
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