Protecting ancient new species discovered
We’re celebrating the discovery of two ancient plant species. As part of our ecological surveys, Botanist Dr Benwell found two previously unrecorded species. They have been determined by the NSW and Qld Herbariums as Fontainea, related to the Lennox Head Fontainea, and a species of Pittosporum that differs in several characteristics from other known species from that genus. We have also engaged Professor Steven Ogbourne from the University of Sunshine Coast and Professor Maurizio Rossetto from the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney around genetic studies. The management plan is being developed in consultation with EESG (Environment, Energy and Science Group of the DPIE).
Transport for NSW is committed to protecting and minimising impacts to the probable new species, which will include protecting as many of the species in their original habitat, looking at feasible translocations and propagation. We are confident there will be sufficient time to ensure management measures to protect the new species are implemented as well as expand the population size without delaying the bypass construction timeline.
New species frequently asked questions.
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Provision for cyclists in tunnels
We’ve refined the design of the tunnels to provide athletic cyclists with an easier, faster passage. The change in design includes the removal of a Type F barrier and a change from a sheltered one metre cyclist provision to a standard 2.5 metre shoulder. Recreational cyclists will be encouraged to use Hogbin Drive as the preferred route instead of the bypass.
This change is consistent with the shoulder provisions across long bridges on the bypass. The bridge over the North Coast Railway Line is the longest bridge on the project at a length of about 190 metres long and is about the same length as Roberts Hill tunnel. A 2.5 metre shoulder is also standard adjacent normal carriageways along the Pacific Motorway.
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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.
