The Lake Innes Orbital Road Action Group says Port Macquarie-Hastings Council should immediately release the 2016 feasibility study into the planned link road.
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The action group, led by Ellen Brown, Lindsay Moller, Garry Krestensen and Debbie Purcell, met on December 4.
Almost 50 residents attended.
In 2017 a council report identified a desired connection between Ocean Drive through to the Oxley Highway and beyond to the airport and Hastings River Drive.
At the time, council director Jeffery Sharp said any orbital road would be a long-term strategic project and not something, in his experience, that would come to fruition in a short period of time.
About 470 properties fall within the proposed Port Macquarie orbital road investigation corridor. The impact on those 470 properties is unknown at this stage.
It could range from increased traffic to noise, property acquisition or benefits due to close access to the proposed new road link.
Ms Brown said residents were devastated, in shock and wanting answers at Tuesday night’s meeting.
“Council has given us a four age document which contains a map,” she said.
“That information says council has a feasibility study and for details contact a phone number or go on their website.
“Our group says we need that information now, so we can be better informed; to make a better decision.
“My home is potentially on the border of the planned road however I wanted to get involved because it is just unfair,” she said.
“I really feel for those home owners that looked at a map and saw their property was part of the plan.”
If we don’t get any more details residents have to wait until February for a meeting with council where we can put forward our concerns and issues.
- Ellen Brown
Ms Brown says residents deserve access to the feasibility study.
“I went to council and even offered to pay for a copy of the study,” she said. “As an affected ratepayer shouldn’t I be eligible for a copy?
"If we don’t get any more details residents have to wait until February for a meeting with council where we can put forward our concerns and issues,” she said.
Some residents at Tuesday’s meeting were also upset about the timing of the announcement.
“It has ruined Christmas for many residents. This will be all they can think of,” she said.
“All we have is a yellow line on a map.”
.Ms Brown says the residents are motivated and have launched a petition to help their concerns.
She said many at the meeting were mystified how council could continue to approve building applications to home owners along the affected route.
“Where was the long term planning?” she said.
The action group has also urged council to immediately address the traffic gridlock along the Oxley Highway to the Lake Road and Wrights Road intersections.
“There are already significant problems at the Oxley Highway and Lake Road intersections,” she said.
“And council’s solution is to suggest a project which will take many millions of dollars of ratepayers’ and government funding and is likely to be at least a decade away.
“There is ample green space on all sides of the Oxley Highway and Lake Road intersection.
“Traffic lights are urgently required.”
The action group is yet to confirm a date for its next meeting.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council was contacted for comment.
To obtain a copy of the petition and more information on the Lake Innes Orbital Road Action Group email ellenbrown17@optusnet.com.au or leave a message on 65811728.
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