In September 2001, the RTA began investigating a
route for a dual carriageway upgrade of the Pacific
Highway from Sapphire to Woolgoolga. Two community
liaison groups were established for the project in
November 2001.
To view the study area, download the September 2001
Summary Brochure pdf file on the Public
information section of this website.
Initial investigations and community consultation
identified a number of feasible highway upgrade options.
A preliminary route alignment, which integrated environmental,
social and engineering aspects, was prepared for each
option. These options were displayed for public comment
in December 2002.
To view the route options displays, download the
pdf files (Community Update 3, December 2002 and Community
Update 4, February 2004) on the Public
information section of this website.
In April 2003, a value management workshop was held
involving community representatives and other stakeholders.
The workshop assessed the performance of each of the
route options against a wide range of agreed criteria.
The outcome of the workshop was that Options C and
D should go forward for further consideration of socio-economic
and environmental issues. Options A and B were identified
as less favourable.
Following the workshop, Coffs Harbour City Council
asked the RTA to investigate other options for a bypass
of Woolgoolga that would have less impact on the future
development of the township. In response to this request,
the RTA developed a modified Option C (Option C1)
and an additional option that uses parts of the initial
Options B and C (Option E).
In February 2004:
- The two new options were displayed for public
comment.
- The RTA announced that:
- Option A was not favoured due to its
severe environmental (biophysical) and
Aboriginal heritage impacts, poor functional
performance, high cost and poor value
for money.
- Option B1 and B2 do not merit further
consideration due to the need to protect
valuable agricultural land.
- Option D (upgrade of the existing highway
through Woolgoolga) is not an acceptable
option due to its social and economic
impacts on the township of Woolgoolga.
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To view the display of the new route options (Options
C1 and E), download the pdf files on the Public
information section of this website.
A second value management workshop was held in August
2004 to assess Options C, C1 and E. The majority of
the participants at the workshop recommended the Option
E bypass of Woolgoolga.
The preferred route, comprising an upgrade of the
existing highway and the Option E bypass of Woolgoolga,
was announced in December 2004. The preferred route
was placed on display for community comment until
2 February 2005.
To view the preferred route displays, download the
pdf files on the
Public information section of this website.
Design development and further field investigations
were undertaken during 2005 and 2006. These investigations
looked at the potential impact of the project in areas
such as environmental, social, land use, economic,
engineering and traffic. Community input, including
input from the two community liaison groups established
for the project, was an important part of the work
during this period. The consultation activities were
focused on the identification of potential impacts
of the project and the opportunities to address those
impacts.
Following the amendment of the Environmental
Planning and Assessment Act 1979 in August 2005,
this project will be assessed under Part 3A of the
Act. In November 2006, a project application was submitted
to the Department of Planning seeking requirements
for the environmental assessment of the project. The
project application and supporting documentation is
available on the Public
information page and the Department of Planning's
website (www.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.asp).
An environmental assessment was prepared based on
the requirements provided by the Director- General
of the Department of Planning. To view the environmental
assessment documents, download the pdf files on the
Public Information
page.
Final approval has been granted for the Sapphire
to Woolgoolga upgrade. The NSW Minister for Planning
approved the Pacific Highway Sapphire to Woolgoolga
upgrade on 13 January 2009. The Chief Executive of
the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) subsequently
agreed to proceed with the construction and operation
of the project subject to the conditions set by the
Minister for Planning, the RTA's project priorities
for upgrading the Pacific Highway and available funding.
Community and stakeholder consultation will continue
to play an important part in the refinement of the
design for this project.
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