The next key date is Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's October 21 meeting.

A further report is due then to outline the process, time frame and costs associated with reviewing the 2011 Lake Cathie/Lake Innes hydrodynamic report.

A review of the 2011 report findings can't be undertaken until the model has been reviewed and tested.

That has become part of the equation after the council requested concept designs be developed for Kenwood Drive Bridge at Lake Cathie.

A progress report went before the council meeting on Wednesday, September 23.

Saving Lake Cathie's Stewart Cooper said from a Lake Cathie community perspective, the September 23 council decision on Kenwood Drive Bridge would be seen as "just another report".

He said: "I think we all agree that the hydrology study is important for the Coastal Management Program (CMP) but why would you not do the concept design of the bridge first so that you can then look at the impact on the waterway?

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"Councillors appear to be being advised by staff that doing the hydrology report first will set a baseline that will ultimately be more palatable to the state government agencies.

Revive Lake Cathie board member Kate Aston said they were waiting for the scoping study to be released.

Meanwhile, the council is working on a complete program for Lake Cathie education material to keep the community informed.

"We are looking forward to them giving some finite answers in that time frame and keeping the community posted as to where they are up to," Ms Aston said.

She said the bridge caused sediment build-up and the water could not flow correctly.

Mayor Peta Pinson said the council had to go through a process.

"I know there are people who are going to be frustrated and feel this process is going to take too long," she said.

"Well, let me tell you, if it is not in front of council and becomes a priority, it will never happen."

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann said she absolutely agreed with the notion that the bridge needed special consideration, which the council was now giving it, based on ecological and environmental matters.

The hydrodynamic report author, BMT Commercial, is now working on providing a process to assist the council in understanding how the 2011 work should be updated but also provide detailed costs and time frames around potential delivery of the work.

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