These are the key elements that Port Macquarie-Hastings Council says is driving discussion toward an orbital road.

And, says council's general manager Craig Swift-McNair, the state government through the roads and maritime service and department of planning, have been very much part of the process.

The orbital road dominated discussion at Wednesday night's council meeting.

About 250 attended the meeting, some carrying placards calling for council to find an alternate route to the current investigation corridor.

During the meeting, Cr Geoff Hawkins pointed to a department of planning document detailing Port Macquarie being earmarked as a regional city.

He said a map in the document shows the local transport investigation link.

"It is the state government's own document and clearly shows the orbital road," he told the meeting.

"I understand that the local member (member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams) has written to residents in the investigation corridor expressing her views about the orbital road.

"I think council should ask for a copy of that letter," he said.

In that letter, Mrs Williams said she would advocate to council to seek alternative options for an orbital road.

She also acknowledged that residents have frustrations and related anxieties about the most viable route for the orbital road as identified by council.

"I have met on site with a number of residents to better understand their concerns," she says in the letter.

"The proposed route and the impact on properties and lifestyle is clearly taking its toll on many residents. 

"While the proposed orbital road is under the jurisdiction of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, I have used every opportunity including as recently as last week to personally convey your concerns to the general manager, mayor and director of strategy and growth. 

"The Mid-North Coast is one of the fastest growing areas in NSW and it is therefore prudent that the council consider ways to improve our road network to ensure it is able to cope with increasing traffic into the future. 

"However, I am deeply concerned about the significant impacts the proposed orbital road will have on residents and other infrastructure including for example, existing aged care facilities and early childhood services."

Acting mayor Lisa Intemann said the discussion about the orbital road was not "closed" and council was listening to the community for other options and alternative routes.

"Part of our consideration as a regional city growth area involves looking at how a growth area deals with traffic into the future," she said.

"The discussion between council, the NSW department of planning and the RMS is not something be driven out of council itself.

"These discussions have arisen because we are a growth area and all those corresponding issues that arise from that.

"I know a lot of people are feeling frustrated by this process and I really empathise with them. It is a difficult time for the residents and council as well.

"(But) part of our role is to be consultative and transparent.

"This process creates the opportunity for many people to be in this discussion. We get everyone's point of view and are able to make a much better decision in the long run," she said.

Mr Swift-McNair said council and the RMS were key partners.

"We have been working with the RMS for many years. RMS has sat on various steering committees on groups and has been part of our orbital road discussions.

"They are very much in line; they have been very much part of this process.

"There have definitely been reports in relation to this (orbital road)," he said.

The general manager said the tabled feasibility study had investigated a number of alternative routes.

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