🟡 Will anyone fix the daily traffic jams outside Port Macquarie Base Hospital?

When there’s a daily traffic jam outside a public hospital, there’s cause for concern.

The Port Macquarie community and local representatives have all been vocal about the congestion between Wrights Road and Lake Road intersections near Port Macquarie Base Hospital.

Population growth, new housing developments, and nearby schools make the Oxley Highway corridor a place you’d rather avoid, as cars stack up from before 8am and throughout the day.

But avoiding the area is not an option for ambulances dropping off patients.

Show me the money: Following recent reviews of funding on major projects carried out by the Federal and State Governments, funding for further development of the Oxley Highway corridor was withdrawn in a move Port Macquarie MP Robert Dwyer called “not just disappointing” but “dangerous”.

Meanwhile, Transport for NSW is currently investigating a range of upgrade options.

So, what’s happening now?

What now: In August, Business Port Macquarie organised a petition to get the Oxley Highway issue debated in NSW Parliament. More than 10,000 people signed it.

Triple M radio even got on board with a “mad as hell” campaign asking those slowly driving through the area, or stuck in traffic, to roll down their windows and yell “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore”.

State your business: But it would appear the project is not completely dead. Earlier this month, Transport for NSW completed the business case for staged intersection upgrades along the Oxley Highway between John Oxley Drive and Hastings River Drive.

• This business case will be used to guide future investment. 

• A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the focus was on improving safety and travel reliability along the stretch of road and will also “cater for the planned growth, provide greater travel choice, and improve access into Port Macquarie and the Health and Education precinct.”

Step towards a “shovel-ready” project: An assurance review for the business case has also been completed, to ensure it complies with Infrastructure NSW requirements. Transport for NSW has described this as “the next step” towards a shovel-ready project.

Local impact: Member for Port Macquarie, Robert Dwyer, said the daily “traffic chaos” on the Oxley Highway is “not merely an inconvenience, it is a critical infrastructure failure” that affects access to essential services.

• “What good is a world-class hospital if ambulances are stuck in traffic, unable to reach patients in time?,” Dwyer said in a statement.

Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, called the traffic between Wrights Road and Lake Road intersections with Oxley Highway a “debacle”.

• “What we’re seeing is an absolute logjam of people going about their daily business, whether it’s going to work, going to school…or trying to seek out health solutions,” Kemp told the Mid North Coaster.

• “It’s congestion that’s causing safety concerns for access to the hospital”.

There are plans for a $265 million mechanical and infrastructure upgrade to Port Macquarie Base Hospital, announced this year by the state government. 

What’s next? The priority and staging of these two intersections will be looked at as part of a wider network, including the Health and Education Precinct, as well as walking and cycling paths.

But progress is stalled without allocated funding to find set solutions, let alone construction of any upgrades.

“Transport is working through funding options to progress the upgrades, and will continue to keep the community informed as plans progress,” a spokesperson said.

A suggested solution: Kemp told The Mid North Coaster he, along with Dwyer and the Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Adam Roberts, had met with the Minister for Roads and Transport suggesting a solution.

“We have suggested that an interim temporary fix would be a good start – to agree to putting two lanes going straight through down Oxley Highway, as well as two lanes turning right onto Lake Road,” Kemp said. “There is sufficient reserve there… it doesn’t have to be a slow process, it only takes interim planning.”

“We have asked for an interim solution if they’re not willing to progress the final solution with any heist.”

Kemp claims he has not heard whether that option is being considered by the Minister.

SOMETHING FOR THE CALENDAR

🟡 Bellingen Community Markets 45th birthday and end of year festivities

🗓️ Saturday 20, December, 8am-2pm

📍 Bellingen Park - Corner of Church, Park & Ford Streets, Bellingen

🎟️ Entry is free. Optional coin donation to the Bellingen Youth Orchestra

☕️ Tried my first cinnamon scroll, and I picked a good one…

I’ve been meaning to stop at Mimi’s Coffee in Freddo (Frederickton) for a while now and I’m glad I finally did.

Driving home from Port, I pulled off the Pacific HWY for a coffee and a snack. I opted for the last cinnamon scroll…

Watch the video below:

@midnorthcoaster

☕️Have you stopped at Mimi’s? #midnorthcoast #coffeespot #australia #MNC #NSW

Located on Remembrance Way near the Macleay River and the park, Mimi’s Coffee is nestled in the hub with the Old Cheese Factory and Garden Bar.

They serve really good coffee made with Pablo and Rusty beans and offer grab-and-go style food like toasties, savoury croissants and sweet treats.