October is shaping up as a month of momentum and milestones across the Port Macquarie Hastings, with the completion of the Westport Link Pathway ready to welcome thousands of athletes and supporters for IRONMAN Australia.
The upgraded pathway will provide an important connection between the Buller Street/Hollingworth Street footbridge and the Westport precinct, improving accessibility and delivering a safer and more accessible long-term connection along Port Macquarie's foreshore.
Jointly funded by the NSW Government through the Recreational Fishing and Camping Facilities Program and PMHC, the Westport Link Pathway will provide improved long-term accessibility for residents and will complement the 38th running of IRONMAN Australia on Sunday, 18 October.
Port Macquarie Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts said the completion of the pathway makes for a significant improvement to the Hastings River waterfront.
"The upgrade of the Westport Link Pathway is a fantastic outcome for our community and visitors, delivering a safer, more accessible and enjoyable connection along one of the most popular parts of our foreshore," Mayor Roberts said.
"To have it completed and open ahead of IRONMAN is particularly exciting. This is one of the biggest weekends on our events calendar and follows the huge success of the Hideaway Festival earlier this month.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) is encouraging the community to get behind the event and plan ahead, with changed traffic conditions and road closures in place across parts of Port Macquarie during the weekend.
"IRONMAN has become synonymous with Port Macquarie, and I encourage everyone to get out, support the athletes and enjoy what is always a special weekend for our region," Mayor Roberts said.
Following the IRONMAN Australia weekend, PMHC will move straight into another significant project, with rehabilitation works to commence on the Buller Street Bridge, also known as the Sesqui Centenary Bridge, from Tuesday 20 October.
The works are required to strengthen and protect the existing bridge, with concrete repairs and long-term corrosion protection expected to extend the life of the bridge by at least 25 years.
A large portion of the works will be undertaken from a barge beneath the bridge to minimise impacts on road users. However, changed traffic conditions will be required at different stages of the project to reduce loading on the bridge.
Two periods of traffic disruption are expected during November, when one lane of the bridge will be closed for approximately one week (24 hours a day) on each occasion, subject to weather.
The works may also temporarily affect pedestrian access beneath the bridge, while Marine Rescue boat ramp access will be temporarily restricted at times due to barge movements.
Director Community Infrastructure Blayne West recognised the upcoming disruption in a busy part of Port Macquarie and thanked residents, businesses and motorists for their patience.
"We know how important Buller Street is for people moving into and around our CBD, and we recognise that these works will cause inconvenience," Ms West said.
"However, this is essential rehabilitation that will help protect the structural integrity of the bridge and extend the life of this important community asset for decades to come.
"Our focus will be on completing the work as efficiently as possible, maintaining access wherever we can and keeping our community and local businesses informed as the project progresses.
"I'd also encourage our community to continue supporting businesses around Buller Street and the waterfront throughout the works. They remain open and accessible, and we will be working closely with businesses to minimise impacts wherever possible."
Rehabilitation works are expected to continue through to late January 2027, with PMHC to provide further information ahead of the November lane closures once dates, durations and detour arrangements are confirmed.
