Route options investigated

What options were considered?

A wide range of options were considered. These were refined into a smaller number of viable options in Sections 1, 2 and 4 as shown on the maps. Due to constraints to the east and west of the existing highway, one option was investigated in Section 3.

The June 2003 investigation area was divided into four sections to enable a detailed review of the options and to better understand local issues. The sections are:

Section 1: From the northern end of the proposed Warrell Creek deviation to the northern bank of the Nambucca River. Five shortlisted options were developed for this section. They were all located to the east of and bypass Macksville.
Section 2: From the northern bank of the Nambucca River to where the existing highway crosses the North Coast Railway Line west of Nambucca Heads. Section 2 provides a bypass of Bellwood. Three shortlisted options were developed in this section. The northern part of the three options share a common route generally along Old Coast Road, from Newee Creek to the existing highway at the North Coast Railway Line.
Section 3: From where the highway crosses the railway west of Nambucca Heads to Little Newry State Forest in the vicinity of Mines Road, south of Urunga. Section 3 is a narrow section of the investigation area and for much of its length the existing Pacific Highway is suitable for duplication. Only one option was developed for this section.
Section 4: From Mines Road to the southern end of the Raleigh deviation. Section 4 provides a bypass of Urunga. Three shortlisted options were developed for this section.

Options to the west of Macksville are shown on the adjacent map. These options leave the existing highway south of Warrell Creek and rejoin the highway west of Nambucca Heads near the southern end of Section 3. The two west of Macksville options provide a western bypass of Macksville and Warrell Creek.

For all options a four-lane, divided highway was examined, with provision for additional lanes to be developed in the median area, in the future if required.

Upgrading the existing Pacific Highway

The option of upgrading the existing Pacific Highway through the townships of Macksville, Bellwood and Urunga has been considered. The road corridor through Macksville is narrow and widening it would have a very significant impact on a large number of residential and commercial development properties. The existing highway through Bellwood is constrained by the Nambucca River to the east and the residential and commercial developments to the west. The existing highway winds through Urunga and widening it to dual carriageway, even with a 80km/h travel speed, would also have a very significant impact on residential and commercial properties. Upgrading the existing highway through Macksville, Bellwood and Urunga is not an acceptable option due to the impact on these townships. This option therefore did not warrant further consideration.