20 June 2019

At the Ordinary Council meeting on 19^th June, Council considered a report on the Proposed Orbital Road Project. Councillors noted the need to address the issue of traffic congestionin Port Macquarie and noted the significant engagement from the community to date. They thanked the all who contributed for taking the time to engage with Council in these early stages of this project.

As part of the 14 point resolution on the matter, Council resolved to proceed with the development of a Strategic Business Case. This does not mean Council has decided to proceed with the design or construction of the proposed Orbital Road. The decision to complete a Strategic Business Case simply means further investigation and analysis will occur to help provide a better understanding of the costs and benefits associated with various options to address our traffic problem. As part of the Strategic Business Case, Council will review and assess all route options (both those presented by Council during the recent community engagement and those suggested by the community during this time). Further, it was decided that consideration will be given as to how these compare with or add to possible improvements to the existing road network, such as planned upgrades to Lake Road, Ocean Drive, or other Council managed roads… and the Oxley Highway as a State Government managed road. To learn more on the Strategic Business Case, please view our fact sheet.

Council noted the strategic importance of a flood-free Primary Airport Access Road and decided that planning for this link (included as part of the Orbital engagement to date), would be progressed as a separate project in consultation with the Transport for NSW and the community, from this point forward.

Council also asked the General Manager to develop a communications and engagement plan for the period of the Strategic Business Case stage, as a way of keeping the community informed and engaged on this project in a transparent and timely manner. It also requested an Orbital Community Consultative Committee be established via an expression of interest process.

Please view Proposed Orbital Road Report, Report Minutes, Engagement Report and Engagement Report Appendices for more information.

Council has asked the General Manager to table a report at the September 2019 Council meeting, detailing the progress on these resolutions. The Council report will be able to be viewed online from noon on Friday 13 September 2019.