The local member says she supports the concept of an orbital road but wants to minimise potential impacts on residents.

There has been a chorus of opposition to the orbital road investigation corridor which was unveiled in November.

Over 250 people packed council's February meeting while the December meeting also drew similar numbers. 

Many residents attended both meetings in a silent vigil holding signs urging council to seek an alternative route.

While distancing herself from the current route, Mrs Williams confirmed she would continue to advocate on behalf of council for funding.

"I am committed to supporting council with its vision for an orbital road, but very simply I do not support the route that has been identified," she said.

"It (the current route) negatively impacts on a significant number of residents, businesses and service providers and is clearly causing widespread distress and anxiety. 

"While I am not going to pretend to be a road engineer, I would have thought an orbital road, by definition, would actually go round an area not straight through it.

"I am aware of a number of alternative routes that local residents have developed that have formed part of submissions to council so that would be a good place to start."

Peter Alley, who is contesting the Port Macquarie seat for Labor, has weighed into the discussion calling on Mrs Williams to nominate her favoured route.

"At this moment, there are thousands of residents living in areas such as Crestwood, Emerald Downs, Sherwood, that could possibly be part of Leslie Williams 'alternative options' and for some reason she won’t come clean and tell the people of Port Macquarie," Mr Alley said.

"Without leadership from the member for Port Macquarie, there is a very real risk that this project may stall long term, leaving all the residents in the investigation area in a permanent state of uncertainty. 

"It may also impact on all the other residents who live in areas that Leslie Williams’ unspecified 'alternative options' cover."

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann, in a letter to Mrs Williams, said council was working closely with RMS on the project.

"The orbital road proposal has been the subject of significant and ongoing discussions with NSW department of planning and RMS over several years," Cr Intemann wrote.

"The proposed route was developed in full consultation with the RMS.

"As such, it is not purely a council issue and as you know from frequent discussions with council officers in recent years, it arises from local rates of growth, acknowledged traffic congestion and the need for future planning.

"We are one of four regional cities identified by the department of planning on the North Coast.

"The project is being pursued in active partnership with the NSW government, and council will require significant funding assistance from the state and federal governments for its progressive implementation."

Cr Intemann also asked Mrs Williams to confirm that she supports the orbital project and "will actively champion funding for the implementation of this important infrastructure for the benefit of our rapidly growing community'.

The deputy mayor said council had worked closely with RMS in selecting a presently preferred route.

"As repeatedly stated, council will be considering the various alternative route proposals being suggested by the community as part of the strategic business case.

"There is no easy answer and the challenge is to find that option which produces the greatest overall benefit.

"Council is still giving consideration to alternative options that minimise the impact on local residents.

"They are part of council's ongoing investigations," Cr Intemann said.

Council will host the first of its drop-in sessions on March 2.

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