Early work update
Early work on the bypass started in December and has been progressing well over the past few months, despite the wet weather. In preparation for the start of major construction, early work has involved many activities in a number of locations along the alignment. This includes surveying, fencing, utility relocations, removing houses, geotechnical investigations, building minor ancillary sites, building the new rural fire service shed, salvaging of Aboriginal artefacts, building creek crossings, water quality monitoring, ecological surveys and scoping at-house noise treatments.
For the latest on the Coffs Harbour bypass early works download the June – July Project Update.
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Doing our bit to stop the spread of Panama Disease
The Coffs Harbour bypass project team is working with local banana growers and the NSW Department of Primary Industries to mitigate the spread of Panama Disease within the Coffs Harbour region. The Coffs Harbour bypass alignment crosses a number of properties that are currently, or have historically been utilised for the cultivation of banana plants.
A significant risk to banana plants is Panama Disease, which has been identified in the Coffs Coast area. This disease can infect particular plant varieties, ultimately preventing the plant from bearing fruit. We are very serious about managing works to limit the risk of spread and not to impact surrounding plantations that remain in operation.
Specific control measures such as cleaning and wash down procedures for plant, vehicles, equipment and personnel is imperative. The basic principle for all team members and contractors is known as “Come Clean, Leave Clean” and this is being implemented whenever entering or leaving banana plantations.
Learn more about the Panama Disease Control Management Plan.
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Information about potential road traffic noise impacts
The impacts of noise, both operational and construction, are of major concern to the Coffs Harbour community. FAQs have been developed to provide information about potential road traffic noise impacts as part of the Coffs Harbour bypass project. They include information about noise criteria, noise modelling, noise guidelines and the at-house noise treatment process. Click here to download the FAQs
The preferred route
The preferred route for the Coffs Harbour bypass was confirmed in 2004 and provides a four lane divided motorway standard road from Englands Road in the south and connects with the newly upgraded Sapphire to Woolgoolga section in the north. The route passes through the North Boambee Valley, through the Roberts Hill ridgeline and then traverses the foothills of the Coffs Harbour basin west and north to Korora Hill.
Roads and Maritime will be seeking planning approval through carrying out the environmental impact statement on the preferred route.
The current route map can be viewed here.
Project background
Roads and Maritime Services has been investigating a Coffs Harbour bypass since 2001 as part of the Pacific Highway upgrade. The preferred route was announced in 2004 and the concept design report was published in 2008.
Since then funding priorities have targeted the full duplication of the Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border by 2020.
In March 2015 the NSW Government pledged $200 million for construction of the project, subject to a business case and significant funding from the Australian Government. The project has been allocated funding to carry out the environmental assessment and to finalise the concept design.
In December 2017 a strategic business case was submitted to the Australian Government to begin discussions about the project.
In May 2018 the Australian Government committed $971 million to build the project, and in September Roads and Maritime released the preferred concept design for community feedback.
In September 2019 the project's environmental impact statement was exhibited for public comment.
