$20 million and a lot of promises: Oxley Highway upgrade edges forward

MPs from across the political spectrum have endorsed state Labor’s Friday announcement about staged upgrades to the Oxley Highway at Port Macquarie, despite a lack of detail on cost and timeframes.

First stages: The initial stages will upgrade the Pacific Highway and Oxley Highway interchange towards Wauchope - also known as the “Donut”. 

The $20 million allocated for this project was announced in August 2025, and will deliver additional lanes between the interchange and Billabong Drive, extend the northbound off ramp, install new traffic signals and improve street lighting.

Construction is expected to start in early 2027 and take about two years. 

Time to celebrate: The “staged delivery approach” for a 9km corridor upgrade between the Pacific Highway at Thrumster and Hastings River Drive in Port Macquarie was announced in a press release from NSW roads minister Jenny Aitchison on Friday. 

It would lead to better vehicle access to Port Macquarie, its hospital and education precincts.

• “A staged approach allows us to get on with the job of delivering the highest priority upgrades now while planning continues on the remaining stages,” Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said. 

A staged approach also allows the government to remain light on detail. For example, there is no timeline for proposed upgrades to the infamous pinch-point between the Wrights Road and Lake Road intersections. “Planning is continuing” is how the state sums up the future.

The Mid North Coaster asked Ms Aitchison’s office for more specific information about Stage 2, but staff were unable to provide details.

According to Transport for NSW, it’s planned to upgrade Wrights Road to a three-lane roundabout and convert the Lake Road roundabout to a set of lights. 

Pollies react: Despite the lack of specifics, Port Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer said “seeing Wrights Road and Lake Road included in the government's staged plan is a significant step forward”. 

Federal Lyne MP Alison Penfold said the announcement was positive, but only if it represented a “genuine government commitment that comes with a clear and immediate timetable for work”.

“Until specific funding is allocated to progress the upgrade of the Oxley Highway between Wrights Road and Lake Road ... we still have questions," said mayor Adam Roberts. 

Longer term plan: Transport for NSW is also looking at “potential upgrades” at the Oxley Highway and John Oxley Drive interchange near Philip Charley Drive, the Oxley Highway and Carlie Jane Drive interchange and the Widderson Street intersection.