A community information session on Thursday afternoon has heard that not all residents support final design plans for the duplication of a section of Ocean Drive.
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Port Macquarie-Hastings Council hosted the meeting at the Emerald Downs Community Centre.
Council is planning to upgrade around 3.4 kilometres of Ocean Drive from two lanes to four lanes between Matthew Flinders Drive and the southern end of Greenmeadows Drive.
Residents Alastair Lloyd says he opposes plans to remove at least three roundabouts and replace them with traffic lights.
“I’ve spoken with many residents, particularly around the Marbuk Avenue area, and they feel that traffic lights will not assist in traffic management,” Mr Lloyd said.
“I am just concerned that traffic flow won’t be better and if you look at figures on the accident ratio of traffic lights and roundabouts it is quite telling.
“The plan calls for the removal of roundabouts on the Matthew Flinders and Ocean drive intersection, at the Ocean and Pacific drive intersection and Dahlsford and Crestwood intersections.”
Mr Lloyd did acknowledge that the traffic was ‘quite busy’ at drop off and pick up times at the school.
“But, in my opinion, traffic lights won’t fix that problem,” he added.
Mr Lloyd however agrees that plans for cycleways and dual lanes to ease traffic congestion are to be commended.
The state government provided $10 million in funds for the project which will complete the design, environmental assessment and planning approval for the project. It will also contribute to construction costs.
I am just concerned that traffic flow won’t be better and if you look at figures on the accident ratio of traffic lights and roundabouts it is quite telling.
- Resident Alastair Lloyd
Council has held feedback meetings, with design changes implemented into the plan.
Among the changes introduced into the plan following community feedback were:
• Some high voltage overhead powerlines are now proposed to be relocated underground to improve the visual amenity of the project and improve the revegetation opportunities in some locations
• The alignment of the koala fence has been confirmed and coordinated with community access gates and maintenance access provision
• The alignment of roadside drainage channels has been confirmed
• Bus stop configuration and bus stop furniture has been confirmed
• Landscaping details have been confirmed for revegetating disturbed areas of the project. Council has met with wildlife agencies to discuss the project design and ways to mitigate wildlife impacts, particularly on the koala population.
The final plans will include the upgrade of six intersections and access points and include, Ocean Drive and Greenmeadows Drive (South) seagull intersection; Ocean Drive and Maranatha Place (Seventh Day Adventist Church and School) seagull intersection; Ocean Drive and Dahlsford Drive / Crestwood Drive traffic lights; Ocean Drive and Pacific Drive / Jonas Absalom Drive traffic lights; Ocean Drive and Lighthouse Plaza Access (left in / left out turns); Ocean Drive and Matthew Flinders Drive / Emerald Drive traffic lights. A shared pedestrian and cyclist path will be provided between Matthew Flinders Drive and Greenmeadows Drive (South).
Council says the key benefits of the duplication are,
• Improved traffic flow, reduced congestion and delays
• Improved pedestrian access
• Increased safety for all road users
• Improved transport link between Port Macquarie, Lake Cathie, Bonny Hills, Laurieton and Kew.
Council will host a second feedback session at the Emerald Downs Community Centre on Saturday May 27 between 1pm and 4pm.
There has been a number of community feedback sessions on the proposed Ocean Drive upgrade over the years.
