PORT Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts has joined the renewed push for a priority upgrade of the Oxley Highway road corridor.
It follows the disappointment of local MPs Michael Kemp, Rob Dwyer and Pat Conaghan, at the lack of funding in last week’s State Budget to progress the business case for the Lake Road to Wrights Road upgrade.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Cr Roberts called on the NSW Government to ease traffic congestion through a State Significant Priority Infrastructure Project.
“This corridor has been operating at functional capacity for years,” he said.
“It’s not just a traffic problem anymore, it’s a liveability issue.
“It’s affecting our economy, education providers, commuters, emergency services, our safety and our future.”
Declaring the corridor a state priority would unlock funding and coordinated planning.
“Our Council is imploring the State Government to stand tall and hear our repeated calls for urgent change.”
With over 20,000 vehicle movements daily and more than 15,000 new homes planned, the Oxley Highway is no longer fit for purpose.
Council projections show peak-hour travel times could blow out by up to 40 minutes by 2040 without urgent upgrades, threatening the Government’s own regional growth targets.
“It’s time the NSW Government formally recognised the scale and urgency of this issue and worked with us to develop and deliver real solutions.”
He acknowledged previous state partnerships including the Maria River Road upgrade and Ocean Drive Duplication – which is due for completion by the end of the year – but said the Oxley Highway remained the Council’s top infrastructure priority.
“Our residents don’t care who owns the road – they just want it fixed.
“I am not here to point fingers – I just want to drive real solutions.”
By Sis HIGGINS
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