The NSW Government has confirmed upgrades to the Oxley Highway, between the Pacific Highway at Thrumster and Hastings River Drive, will progress in a staged approach, allowing work to begin soon.
Minister for Roads, the Hon. Jenny Aitchison, confirmed that detailed design and works at the Oxley Highway and Pacific Highway Interchange (towards Wauchope) will progress with funding that has previously been announced.
The Minister also confirmed that planning will continue for the Wrights Road to Lake Road section of the Oxley Highway following the completion of the strategic business case by Transport for NSW last year.
Completion of the business case was a crucial step in the process because it helps identify why upgrades along the corridor are required, what future solutions may look like and the investment needed.
Further longer-term planning will be undertaken by the NSW Government for interchanges at Philip Charley Drive and Carlie Jane Drive, and to improve safety at the Widderson Street intersection.
Mayor Adam Roberts welcomed the NSW Government's update but reinforced that funding allocations and construction timelines are still absent from the forward plan.
"Until specific funding is allocated to progress the upgrade of the Oxley Highway between Wrights Road and Lake Road - the highest priority transport issue in our region - we still have questions and a need for continued strong advocacy," Mayor Roberts said.
"The recent update confirms the 'bottleneck' is now a clear priority of the NSW Government, but we eagerly await a timeline for funding and construction of that stage, and a commitment to make this road corridor a NSW Government priority so we can also pursue Federal Government support."
Mayor Roberts added that while PMHC was "disappointed" not to receive any funding in the recent NSW Government Budget, the collective advocacy efforts on this issue from community, business, Local Members and Council are important and will hopefully soon lead to a funding and timeline announcement.
"I again ask the NSW Government to please expedite funding for the Wrights Road to Lake Road section of the Oxley Highway upgrades, specifically the interim or critical stage works, which can relieve the traffic congestion being experienced multiple times a day," Mayor Roberts said.
"PMHC has worked collaboratively with Transport for NSW for many years now and we will continue to do so but our community needs to be provided with a realistic timeline for physical construction works."
In a proactive move more than a year ago, PMHC presented a staged solution suggestion to the NSW Government to address the road safety and congestion issue at the Wrights Road to Lake Road section, and backed the proposal up with multiple meetings and presentations with Transport for NSW and the responsible Ministers.
"It is pleasing to see the key elements of that project proposal reflected in the advice provided by the NSW Government last week."
At the time, PMHC urged the NSW Government to:
- Recognise the project as a State Significant Infrastructure priority;
- Fund and fast-track immediate planning and design work;
- Deliver intersection upgrades, including:
- signalisation of the Oxley Highway and Lake Road intersection with turning provisions;
- an additional eastbound lane on the Oxley Highway from Wrights Road to Lake Road;
- improved signalisation and controls at the Wrights Road roundabout.
As the region is predicted to grow from its current population of 92,000 to 103,000 by 2035, and new homes are constructed in the region, PMHC General Manager Robert Fish said the Oxley Highway "must be upgraded".
"We manage a number of local roads that intersect with, and feed into, this corridor and having visibility of the broader transport solution is incredibly important for our strategic planning," Mr Fish said.
In addition, Mayor Roberts said that urgent safety upgrades were needed on the Oxley Highway at King Creek and that Transport for NSW were currently undertaking detailed design..
"Late last week I was able to meet with the Roads Minister and Local Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, on the critical safety upgrades needed on the Oxley Highway at King Creek, and the need for construction funding to immediately follow the detailed design work that is currently progressing."
