After much controversy, the project’s environmental impact study secured a tick of approval at yesterday’s council meeting.

Background:

Point Plomer Road stretches from Crescent Head along the coast through to the Port Macquarie region.

Kempsey Shire Council maintains an 11.8km length of the road from Crescent Head Road to Big Hill, where the road enters Limeburners Creek National Park.

Of this 11.8km section, 5.6km of the road is sealed with two gravel sections of 4km and 2.2km remaining.

Since 1997, Kempsey Shire Council has considered various reports about options for the maintenance and sealing of Point Plomer Road.

The project is identified as a priority in Council’s 2017-21 Delivery Program as part of improvements to the local transport network.

After extensive consideration of the issue, Kempsey Shire Council resolved in October 2018 to seek grant funding to seal the two gravel sections of the road, totalling 6.2km in length.

The decision to pursue funding to seal the road was largely based on enhancing road user safety given the high traffic volumes experienced along the road, improving amenity for local residents and reducing ongoing maintenance costs.

On 3 July 2019, the NSW Government announced a grant for $2.88 million under the Regional Growth - Environment and Tourism Fund for the sealing works.

This will enable Council to deliver the project at minimal cost to the community and direct savings to other roadworks in the Shire.