Restoring road safety on the Oxley Highway after major landslips

Background: Flood impact and emergency response challenges

In May 2025, severe weather events brought widespread flooding to New South Wales, leaving behind significant damage to road infrastructure across the state. Among the hardest-hit areas was the Oxley Highway west of Port Macquarie, where intense rainfall triggered multiple landslips and mudslides.

These events posed a major challenge for Transport for NSW (TfNSW) maintenance crews, particularly in the Mt Seaview region. Large volumes of clay and debris spilled across the road surface, creating dangerous conditions and impeding access for both emergency services and public traffic.

The volume and consistency of the clay meant that without specialist equipment, even temporary access would be unsafe. With continued rainfall expected, the risk of secondary incidents on untreated surfaces made timely remediation a critical public safety concern.

 

The problem: Unsafe road conditions and ineffective cleanup methods

The landslips had deposited thick layers of heavy, embedded clay over long stretches of the highway. This clay, when wet, formed a slippery film that drastically reduced surface friction and compromised road safety.

Standard cleanup approaches, including sweeping and water flushing, proved ineffective. The embedded nature of the clay meant it bonded to the macrotexture of the pavement, leaving a dangerously slick surface even after initial cleaning attempts.

Challenges faced included:

• Extensive surface coverage by high-density clay.
• Failure of conventional cleaning methods.
• High risk of skid-related incidents if left untreated.
• Urgent need to restore traffic flow and road safety.

 

The solution: Advanced surface cleaning for rapid road recovery

Retex Pavement Services was engaged to provide a high-performance solution. Within a short timeframe, we mobilised our specialist retexturing crew and deployed our proprietary Cleanstar unit to the Mt Seaview site.

The Cleanstar features:

• Ultra-high-pressure (UHP) surface cleaning technology that cuts through compacted clay.
• A 30,000cfm high-volume vacuum system capable of extracting all loosened material.
• Single-pass full lane width cleaning capability to maximise coverage and efficiency.

This combination allowed the embedded clay to be effectively removed in one pass, restoring the original macrotexture, drainage, and skid resistance of the pavement. Cleanstar's design ensures minimal disruption, reducing the need for additional labour or traffic control.

Moreover, the UHP process uses minimal water, significantly reducing the environmental impact compared to high-volume flushing methods. The closed-loop vacuum system captures all debris, preventing contaminated runoff from entering nearby waterways.

The operation was executed efficiently, allowing traffic conditions to be safely restored without the need for resurfacing or prolonged closures. The Cleanstar’s performance enabled a faster, more thorough cleanup than traditional equipment could provide, helping TfNSW crews re-establish safe access in a matter of hours.

 

Outcome: Measurable results and long-term road resilience

Retex’s rapid response and advanced surface cleaning technology provided a highly effective solution to a complex post-weather event challenge. By reinstating surface texture and friction, the Cleanstar helped prevent further incidents and supported TfNSW’s efforts to reopen the highway quickly and safely.

This case highlights:

• The value of fast mobilisation during emergency weather events.
• The importance of surface texture in road safety.
• Retex’s capability to support large-scale, urgent cleanup efforts across regional networks.
• The environmental advantages of UHP and vacuum-based cleaning.

Retex continues to work closely with road authorities across Australia to deliver reliable pavement solutions in both emergency and routine maintenance scenarios. Our ability to act fast, deploy nationally, and operate with minimal environmental impact makes us a key partner in maintaining road safety and resilience.

 

Partner with Retex for urgent road recovery

If you're facing road surface challenges from extreme weather or debris, Retex is equipped to deliver fast, effective, and environmentally responsible solutions. Contact us today to discuss your next urgent cleanup or preventative maintenance project.