Page 25 he Kempsey to Armidale Road Reconstruction Project (K2A) has become one of the most ambitious disaster recovery undertakings in regional New South Wales, shaped by fire, flood and years of community disruption. For project director Brad Nixon, leading this complex effort is both a professional challenge and a personal commitment. “K2A is more than an infrastructure program,” said Brad. “It’s about reconnecting communities safely and sustainably after years of hardship. The engineering is complex, the governance is robust, and the purpose is simple: restore the lifeline and build resilience for the long haul.” Brad brings 27 years of experience across civil, building and infrastructure delivery to the role, spanning local government, higher education and mining. He has spent much of his career navigating technically demanding projects through every phase of development, and the K2A program represents the culmination of those skills. “My role is to lead a high risk, multifaceted recovery project that demands strong governance, technical rigour and collaborative leadership,” said Brad. “Nearly three decades of hands on experience in major infrastructure has prepared me for the scale and complexity of this work.” The project itself was born from successive natural disasters that reshaped the region. The 2019 bush fires stripped the landscape and destabilised slopes along the Kempsey– Armidale Road, and the severe flooding events that followed in 2020 and 2021 triggered landslips, pavement failures and widespread drainage collapse. Large sections became unsafe or impassable, strands of rural communities were cut off, and access remained restricted long after emergency repairs allowed essential travel to resume. For Brad, the devastation and the community response were major motivators. “People along this corridor have endured years of disruption,” he said. “Taking on this role meant being able to contribute to restoring something essential. This road supports residents, primary producers, freight operators and tourism. Helping return that functionality was a decision I didn’t hesitate to make.” The reconstruction effort now underway will restore approximately 45 kilometres of the Kempsey-Armidale Road and an additional five kilometres of Lower Creek Road to pre-disaster condition. This involves pavement rehabilitation, scour protection, drainage and culvert reconstruction, and extensive slip remediation across steep, geologically sensitive terrain. It is one of the largest and most technically challenging reconstruction programs council has ever delivered, requiring a level of adaptation and capability growth across the organisation. Brad leads a multidisciplinary project team currently comprising 16 staff, with numbers expected to grow to 23 during peak delivery. The team spans leadership and governance, technical specialists and commercial functions, supported by external consultants in design, costing, legal, program, transaction management and project assurance. “The strength of this team is one of the reasons this project is moving forward with such clarity,” he said. “The capability, experience and commitment they bring reflects the significance of what we’re delivering.” The main restoration works are currently out to tender, with contract award expected mid year. Construction is set to span several years, with completion anticipated by mid 2029. Once finished, the corridor will return to full operation, reestablishing reliable access for residents, freight, emergency services and the broader regional economy. Reflecting on the journey ahead, Brad remains focused on the project’s longterm purpose. “This is an opportunity to build back with strength and resilience,” he said. “The community deserves a safe, reliable transport link, one that will support them well into the future. That’s what drives us every day.” T recovery The road to The people, purpose and leadership behind the Kempsey-Armidale reconstruction
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