Port Macquarie Transport Network Planning
Consultation has concluded
Overview
At the January 2022 Council meeting, it was resolved to discontinue any investigations, planning, and funding for new roads and vehicular links within the shown Orbital Road Corridor that significantly or unreasonably impact residents and businesses.
To view the January 2022 Council meeting minutes visit Council Meetings
We will continue to prioritise individual road upgrades, duplications and links across the region as part of the broader Port Macquarie-Hastings Regional Integrated Transport Strategy and Integrated Strategic Network Masterplan to mitigate traffic congestion issues. These plans will inform an updated Urban Growth Management Strategy and consider criteria and values identified by the Port Macquarie Transport Network Planning Project.
In 2019, SMEC Consulting was appointed to prepare a Strategic Business Case. The purpose of the Strategic Business Case is to review route options to improve traffic flow and consider how these compare with or, complement possible improvements to the existing road network, such as planned upgrades to Lake Road and Ocean Drive, as well as State-managed roads like the Oxley Highway. This work is still being undertaken, however following the January 2022 Council resolution, we will no longer be considering new roads within the Orbital Road Corridor that significantly or unreasonably impact residents or businesses.
What is the purpose of the Strategic Business Case?
The Strategic Business Case will consider long-term solutions to address our current and future traffic growth and is essential for the economic and social vitality of our community.
The project aims to improve multi-modal transport access through Port Macquarie and its connection to the local coastal villages and towns. The Strategic Business Case will help inform future works, with the aim of improving traffic congestion throughout Port Macquarie in a coordinated program.
This project seeks to:
- Improve the road network in and around Port Macquarie by widening roads, upgrading intersections, and/or providing new links;
- Alleviate traffic congestion;
- Improve connectivity for all users to key destinations including the Health and Education Precinct, the Airport and the Regional Sports Stadium; and
- Support growth over the next +20 years.
Project status
We are still progressing with the investigations and the development of the Strategic Business Case (SBC) and will link to other key strategic plans to provide a holistic view of the entire transport network.
We’re working closely with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) to incorporate proposed Oxley Highway improvements into the traffic model so that any plans we make will complement these changes.
We’ll keep you up to date throughout the project and provide opportunities to engage with the improvement options that are developed.