The last six months of adversity will pose significant challenges for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council as it plans a way forward that continues to deliver essential services to the community while also looking realistically at its financial position.

And there will be some more challenges ahead.

Council will be forced to review its 2020/21 draft operational plan and budget in light of COVID-19 and the impact it will have on the business' bottom line.

Two of council's primary business units - the airport and the Glasshouse - are likely to take the biggest hits.

The goal will be to ensure projects in the next 12-18 months deliver the greatest community benefit without blowing the budget, director Dan Bylsma said.

Council is forecast to deliver $75 million worth of works this financial year out of an $86 million budget. Among already completed projects are the airport terminal upgrade, Wauchope's main street, Hollingworth-Gordon Street works, Dunbogan boat ramp, Coastal Walk upgrades, Telegraph Point footpaths and improvements to Lighthouse Beach Road.

While those projects should be celebrated, Mr Bylsma said there has been several significant and unplanned setbacks.

The bushfires destroyed Pappinbarra's Right Arm Rd bridge with remediation works then washed away in flooding. There was a road slip on Mooney Street at Telegraph Point and the North Shore required extensive cleanup in the road reserve. Adding to this is the issue that both the Glasshouse and airport are not currently generating revenue.

The draft budget for 2020-21 is $78 million with some potential carry over of projects from this year.

"We will really need to have a deliverability focus on the 2020-21 year so we don't see ourselves with a $100 million budget that can't be achieved," Mr Bylsma said.

"We will need to review feedback on the draft operational plan and look at the future works program and make adjustments through a COVID lens.

"We want to look at projects that will stimulate growth, that can be funded and have a focus on local procurement.

"For example, do we look to have ten $1 million projects, or one $10 million project?"

Key projects for 2020-21 include:

"In addition to all of this we have a significant routine and reactive program as well with water, sewer and stormwater," Mr Bylsma said.

Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce presented council with an economic stimulus plan which takes a "build it and they will come" approach to capital works.

It suggests increasing capital works spending, with a focus on engaging local suppliers, to reinject money back into the economy.

"As a result of forced business closures council can expect much lower traffic levels on all roads and much lower pedestrian traffic in the Town CBD areas in the near future," president Michael Mowle said.

"This provides an opportunity for projects such as pavement rehabilitation, asphalt re-surfacing and upgrades to road signage and furniture with less disruption and loss of trade.

"In addition, landscape and footpath works on commercial frontages during this period would have minimal impact such as loss of trade due to businesses being closed. Conversely, disruption beyond this period could impact businesses trying to recover and works at that later time should be avoided.

"Town CBD and commercial precinct beautification is a critical component in revitalisation to encourage visitation and spending during the recovery period."

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