This is a vital strategic project - perhaps the biggest infrastructure initiative that council will undertake in many years – and we are encouraging everyone to get involved and share your thoughts on the proposal.

It doesn’t matter where you live... in the Camden Haven, Wauchope, our hinterland, Telegraph Point, the North Shore or in Port Macquarie itself, we all come to Port Macquarie at some time and have experienced the increase in traffic over recent years.

With a growing population, there is no silver bullet in solving traffic congestion. As well as the orbital proposal, council will continue with planned improvements to local roads such as Lake Road and Ocean Drive, as well as continuing to advocate to the state government for improvements to the Oxley Highway and the Wrights Road roundabout.

The initial engagement process for the orbital proposal ends on March 30, after which council will decide whether to proceed with the next phase - a strategic business case. That will involve more detailed investigations including reviewing all route options and how these compare with, or add to, other planned improvements to the road network on issues such as environmental and social impact.

We absolutely need a partnering approach with all levels of government if we are going to deliver improved traffic outcomes. But council also needs your input and I encourage you to get involved in this important community discussion.

Like you, I only want the best for our growing community, and we can only deliver the best outcome for everyone if we work together. 

I urge you to visit council’s website, haveyoursay.pmhc.nsw.gov/orbital-road, and if you see us at a shopping centre or one of our community markets in the coming weeks, please stop for a chat.