The works, which commenced on Tuesday, have been fully funded from last year’s special rate variation, and include resealing nine kilometres of Ocean Drive from Matthew Flinders Drive to Lake Cathie and asphalt resurfacing works on William Street between Owen and Lord Streets in Port Macquarie.
Next week additional resealing work will be undertaken on Hastings River Drive from the Pacific Highway to Humpty Back Creek Bridge.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Administrator Garry Payne said, “Last year I gave a commitment that the majority of money raised through the increase on rates would be spent on roads and that is exactly what we are doing.
“Fixing local roads is Council’s number one priority and is what our community has told us they want.
“Hastings River Drive and Ocean Drive are the two most used roads in our area and are at the top of Council’s repair list. The section of William Street being repaired is one of the worst road surfaces in the area,” Mr Payne said.
“I am very pleased that these works are about to get underway. People will very quickly start to see dramatic improvements to these roads.
“While there will be some minor delays, traffic control measures will in be place. Resealing won’t commence until after 9am, to give people the chance to get to work on time. All works should be completed by the end of next week, weather permitting,” Mr Payne said.
“Since July last year, Council crews have been working hard to improve our road network. We have completed heavy patching work and pavement repairs on Ocean Drive around Bonny Hill, near the Lakewood shopping centre and on Bago Road.
“An additional grading crew has also been employed to grade the higher traffic, unsealed arterial road network throughout the area. Increased resources have also been utilised to carry out pothole patching and repairs across the ‘top 10’ sealed roads,” Mr Payne concluded.
