Port Macquarie Hastings Council (PMHC) has pushed for vital projects that will alleviate the pressure on local roads and support connectivity across the broader regional network in its submission to NSW Government's 20-year transport vision.
In advocating on behalf of the community, PMHC has made a detailed submission to the Draft North Coast Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan which is part of NSW Government's strategy to deliver integrated plans that improve key connections between regional centres, towns and surrounding communities.
PMHC Director of Community Infrastructure, Ben Wood, said the submission was based on Council's Integrated Transport Plan (ITP) adopted in 2024, and considers the impact of continued growth on current and future roads and transport needs across the Port Macquarie Hastings region.
"There are a number of core themes that we cover in our submission, which include the need for transport infrastructure that supports growth, disaster resilience, more public transport and proactively addressing road safety," Mr Wood said.
"We used this opportunity to reiterate what is already in our Port Macquarie Hastings ITP, but also to call for consistent funding programs to support maintenance and renewal of road and bridge assets to address the cumulative damage that we have seen from continued wet weather conditions since 2020.
"Where damage does occur during natural disasters, funding programs provide for proactive resilience upgrades that support our 'build back smarter' approach."
Mr Wood added that on top of the list of key infrastructure projects for the region was fixing the congestion issue on the Oxley Highway between Wrights and Lake roads.
"This is council's number one strategic road infrastructure project that we are actively advocating for on behalf of the community," he said.
"With the population projected to rise above 100,000 in 2035, and with more housing planned in growth areas such as Thrumster and Sovereign Hills, the Oxley Highway - owned by NSW Government - must be upgraded to cater for sustainable growth and maintain efficient connections between the Pacific Highway, our inland communities and coastal areas."
PMHC's submission also included the need for:
- Transport Infrastructure and integrated plans: Required in the Health and Education Precinct (HEP), and in growth areas identified as priority locations (Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills, Wauchope, Kew/Kendall), to support access across the regional settlement network, reduce congestion and improve access;
- Disaster resilience: Flooding and severe weather has demonstrated the need for network resilience including alternative flood-free access to Port Macquarie Airport, upgrades to Oxley Highway west of Wauchope and funding of alternative emergency routes, ensuring communities remain connected during and after major events;
- Public transport improvements: Support the delivery of the 16 Cities Service Improvement Program designed to improve bus services and ensure equitable public transport in 16 regional cities that includes Port Macquarie and improve connectivity between centres, towns and surrounding communities;
- Road safety and maintenance: Target safety upgrades and corridor improvements, for example Hastings River Drive and Lake Road, plus proactive maintenance programs to support safe and reliable movement across the regional network;
- Active Transport: Balance capacity upgrades with active transport and place-based accessibility improvements along key corridors, improving local accessibility within centres while supporting broader regional connectivity.
Port Macquarie Hastings is one of 12 local government areas included in the draft North Coast plan which is part of 12 Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plans which will inform NSW Government funding priorities and allocations in years to come.
Submissions close June 14.
