The preferred route for the Macksville to Urunga section was announced in November 2005. The Preferred Route Report is available from the Project documents section of this website.

The preferred route chosen provides the best overall balance between functional, ecological, heritage, social and economic considerations.

Donnellyville to Nambucca Heads

This section of the preferred route is located within the original study area to the east of Macksville. It combines Option 1c, which diverts to the east of the existing highway near Bald Hill Road to cross the Nambucca River downstream of Newee Creek and Option 2a, which travels along the ridgeline near Old Coast Road before rejoining the existing highway west of Nambucca Heads.

Nambucca Heads to South Urunga

This section of the preferred route is constrained by hilly terrain and significant forested areas to the west of the existing highway and by the village of Valla Beach, the North Coast Railway Line and wetlands to the east. The preferred route through this section would ultimately involve a dual carriageway to the west of the existing highway which would be utilised as a local access road.

South Urunga to existing Raleigh deviation

This section of the preferred route involves the Option 4b bypass of Urunga. The preferred route diverts to the west of the existing highway near Mines Road to cross the Kalang River in the vicinity of South Arm Road before passing to the east of Ridgewood Drive and the Raleigh industrial area to rejoin the existing highway at Raleigh.

Warrell Creek upgrade

The preferred route for the Macksville to Urunga section was proposed to join the previously approved Warrell Creek upgrade route at its southern end. However, the approved Warrell Creek project was designed in the 1990s to an earlier standard than the proposed Macksville to Urunga upgrade and would have significant noise impacts on the village of Warrell Creek. In November 2005, it was announced that a review of the previously approved preferred route for the Warrell Creek section would be undertaken. Further information on the outcomes of this review can be found on the Warrell Creek section preferred route section of this website.

How was the preferred route chosen?

Possible route options were identified following the mapping of constraints. The most feasible options were placed on public display from November 2004 to February 2005.

Inputs such as reports prepared by the study team, public submissions, comments received from other government agencies and the outcomes of a value management workshop held in April 2005 were considered during the selection of the preferred route.