Thousands of festival-goers heading to the Mundi Mundi Bash will travel on a sealed road for the first time, with crews about to start on $1.85 million in improvement works.

From Saturday, January 6, crews will begin work to seal a 2.5-kilometre section of Wilangee Road, from Umberumberka Dam to just past the festival site at Belmont Station. The project aims to improve safety and accessibility for both locals and the 14,000 visitors expected at the August event.

The star-studded line-up announced for this year’s Mundi Mundi Bash includes Missy Higgins, the Hoodoo Gurus, Shannon Noll and Dubbo’s own Thirsty Merc.

Mundi Mundi is about 40km northwest of Broken Hill, and north of Silverton.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler welcomed the road development, highlighting its broader impact.

“The sealing of the Wilangee Road will help to make the Mundi Mundi Bash safer and more accessible for locals who live in the area and tourists attending the event,” Mr Butler said.

A long line traffic on the Wilangee Road which is about to benefit from a $1.85 million sealing project – a 2.5-kilometre section will be sealed in time for the next Mundi Mundi Bash in August. Photo: Supplied.

Work will commence with crews establishing a site at Umberumberka. Traffic will be diverted via a side-track detour with a speed limit of 60km/h. Earthworks and drainage installation will follow before sealing begins. The site will operate from 6.30am to 4.30pm on a nine-day fortnight, excluding weekends.

Approximately 14 workers, including local contractors, will be employed on the project, which is expected to take about three months, weather permitting.

Labor spokesperson for the Barwon electorate Stephen Lawrence MLC emphasised the benefits for the region.

“The work we’re doing in Broken Hill will improve tourism, economic growth and regional development opportunities in the far west,” he said.

The side-track detour will temporarily restrict public access to Umberumberka Dam for the duration of the works.