Fernhill Rd saved but Port Macquarie orbital road controversy continues.

PMHC Council Meeting 17-02-2021 | Fernhill Rd saved but Orbital Residents still in Limbo

Councillors voted unanimously to remove the realignment and discontinue any further investigations of Fernhill Road from all Proposed Primary Airport Access Road intersection option with the Oxley Highway.

This is a fantastic but well overdue result with the major credit going to Grant Mitchell and his “Save Fernhill” group and their ongoing efforts.

During the meeting, Mayor Peta Pinson attempted to pass a motion which also see the Council abandon the current Orbital Rd investigation.

Mayor Pinson spoke passionately in support of the affected residents left in limbo, the Lake Innes Nature Reserve and associated threatened wildlife, effect on new Emmaus Dementia Village being constructed & loss of St Columba sporting fields.

Unfortunately the only Councillor to vote in support the motion was Sharon Griffith, and as a result Mayor Pinsons' motion was defeated.

There was also an interesting exchange when the Mayor asked Cr Intemann to justify her decision to support the exclusion of Fernhill but not the Orbital Rd investigation (Cr Intemann refused claiming it was not part of the topic).

This was the first Council meeting for new Port Macquarie Hastings Councils' CEO, Dr. Clare Allen.