Pacific Highway Bypass of Coffs Harbour

[gronk]

Speaking to the blokes from State Planning, they said it hasn't been done yet because it has been a minefield due to the river, wetlands, power grid, sacred sites and the airfield being an airforce airfield has created continual dramas.   But like you say I would have thought it would have been done long time ago being such a busy spot, and major interchange.

Yeh, I'd heard the airport mentioned somewhere as well. No idea what it's got to do with it....nowhere near Hexham ?
Sacred sites.....I could tell you a story about that , when they did the Hunter expressway  !

[Fizzie]

Yeh, I'd heard the airport mentioned somewhere as well. No idea what it's got to do with it....nowhere near Hexham ?

Isn't / wasn't there a bombing range somewhere out the back of Williamtown? That would create just a few hassles!

Sacred sites.....I could tell you a story about that , when they did the Hunter expressway  !

& then you've no doubt also got critically endangered frogs & trees ...

[Hairs]

Just saw a very FB posts that the south bound dual lanes are completed from Woodburn to the Iluka Turn Off.



You don't use magic to disappear, all you need is a 4wd & a Swag.

[Hairs]

& then you've no doubt also got critically endangered frogs & trees ...

Yep, that was why the Ballina Bypass didn't follow the high ground(out of the swamp land) from the Lismore turn off to Ross Lane(Lennox Head turn off).




You don't use magic to disappear, all you need is a 4wd & a Swag.

[gronk]

Isn't / wasn't there a bombing range somewhere out the back of Williamtown? That would create just a few hassles!

& then you've no doubt also got critically endangered frogs & trees ...

No bombing range near Hexham. Never heard of one near Williamtown either ??

Yeh, there could be a few frogs in the swamp. The plan that I've seen shows 4K's of raised carriageway over the swamp.....??
Usually they pick the cheapest way over a set distance, but not in this case.

[Troopy_03]

No bombing range near Hexham. Never heard of one near Williamtown either ??

Yeh, there could be a few frogs in the swamp. The plan that I've seen shows 4K's of raised carriageway over the swamp.....??
Usually they pick the cheapest way over a set distance, but not in this case.

The weapons range is about 5Km NE of WLM base. they only use practice bombs there though, and guns. I can't see how the base would be affected by the M1 extension though. The only mention of the Airport I have seen is for upgraded access roads being included in the plan.

[alnjan]

The weapons range is about 5Km NE of WLM base. they only use practice bombs there though, and guns. I can't see how the base would be affected by the M1 extension though. The only mention of the Airport I have seen is for upgraded access roads being included in the plan.

The reasoning as I remember it related to being an air force airport, in constructing the new M! there was a height restriction and basically not allowed to either move or raise the existing power lines/power grid.   Don't know how many or what sort of low level runs they do in that area for that to be a design/construction factor.   I guess a power line at that speed might be a bit harder to spot from the cockpit for their pilots.   
 

[Troopy_03]

The reasoning as I remember it related to being an air force airport, in constructing the new M! there was a height restriction and basically not allowed to either move or raise the existing power lines/power grid.   Don't know how many or what sort of low level runs they do in that area for that to be a design/construction factor.   I guess a power line at that speed might be a bit harder to spot from the cockpit for their pilots.   
 

Where the intended change to existing infrastructure is, in any sort of proximity, is about 8Km east, when using the westerly approach. They actually approach from further north (over the dam), to avoid flying over Raymond Terrace. The bit that is to be upgraded, is from just before Hexham Bridge, to the northern edge of Raymond Terrace. And the only deviation from the existing road/highway is a small swing around the southern edge of the Heatherbrae industrial area, which is in the 45M height restriction area.

So really can't see any problem with that.

[alnjan]

Its a couple of years old now, 2017.

https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/projects/01documents/raymond-terrace/m1-pacific-motorway-extension-community-consultation-report-2017-06.pdf

Covers some of the community concerns, nothing about the airport though

[gronk]

Saw on the news tonight how the pollies were spruiking about the highway now finished from Hexham to the Qld border ??
Don't know why they do that when the Coffs bypass hasn't even started yet.

[Hairs]

Saw on the news tonight how the pollies were spruiking about the highway now finished from Hexham to the Qld border ??
Don't know why they do that when the Coffs bypass hasn't even started yet.

It's just to keep in the voters thoughts that they are delivering on 'Their Watch'.


You don't use magic to disappear, all you need is a 4wd & a Swag.

[alnjan]

Saw on the news tonight how the pollies were spruiking about the highway now finished from Hexham to the Qld border ??
Don't know why they do that when the Coffs bypass hasn't even started yet.

Because it is finished.   Dual Carriage way from Hexham to the Qld Border.   The Coffs Bypass is not part of the dual carriage way up grade.   It is just an upgrade of the Highway and an improvement to the traffic flow in Coffs.   

[gronk]

Because it is finished.   Dual Carriage way from Hexham to the Qld Border.   The Coffs Bypass is not part of the dual carriage way up grade.   It is just an upgrade of the Highway and an improvement to the traffic flow in Coffs.

So there is dual carriage way all the way thru Coffs is there ?

A bit sneaky though, because there isn't dual carriage way from the start of the M1 at Sydney to the Hexham dual carriage way ( presume they mean as you get off Hexham bridge ).

In other words, the job isn't quite finished yet !!

[alnjan]

So there is dual carriage way all the way thru Coffs is there ?

A bit sneaky though, because there isn't dual carriage way from the start of the M1 at Sydney to the Hexham dual carriage way ( presume they mean as you get off Hexham bridge ).

In other words, the job isn't quite finished yet !!

Yep dual carriage way right through Coffs, including a dozen traffic lights and only one other choice of north/south travel.   Very poorly planned City and not likely to improve with current Council.   

[Fizzie]

planned City

Planned City - now there's two words you don't see together very often

[Fizzie]

Any updates on this Al

I can see from a few months ago that they've apparently started "early work", but nothing further.

Did they ever actually decide on a route

[vern]

Any updates on this Al

I can see from a few months ago that they've apparently started "early work", but nothing further.

Did they ever actually decide on a route

Yes, they are taking ground samples, drilling, clearing some sections currently.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[alnjan]

Any updates on this Al

I can see from a few months ago that they've apparently started "early work", but nothing further.

Did they ever actually decide on a route

The Bypass construction itself is still in the tender process.  While that is being done there area a number of small projects being done by local contractors as part of the preparation work.   There has been a bit of work being done for aboriginal artefacts on the route.   

A lot of small work but not the big jobs.

[Bird]

thread started in 2018... lol they arent in a rush

[alnjan]

thread started in 2018... lol they arent in a rush

Yeah not wrong.  Been a few major deals.   Sounds easy but caused major delays changing from cuttings to tunnels, then a few other plan changes following Community Consultation which also added to delays.   All of those nearly had the project pushed back 6-8 months and then COVID has further delayed the project.   

Hopefully later this year people will see the major works start.     

[Fizzie]

Talking about not counting chickens ...

"Scientists discover 'remnants of ancient rainforests' in path of Coffs Harbour bypass development"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/rare-plant-species-found-near-highway-coffs-harbour-nsw/100149038

"Traditional custodians, environmentalists and scientists are calling for the unique patch of rainforest to be protected."

[gronk]

Talking about not counting chickens ...

"Scientists discover 'remnants of ancient rainforests' in path of Coffs Harbour bypass development"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/rare-plant-species-found-near-highway-coffs-harbour-nsw/100149038

"Traditional custodians, environmentalists and scientists are calling for the unique patch of rainforest to be protected."

And the bloke who is an expert in these type of plants said the one found was “probably” a new species ?
In 5yrs time, coming into Coffs on the new freeway, you come across a dogleg in the road, you’ll know why !!

[Bird]

And the bloke who is an expert in these type of plants said the one found was “probably” a new species ?
In 5yrs time, coming into Coffs on the new freeway, you come across a dogleg in the road, you’ll know why !!

amazing how these things always seem to pop up after so much time and effort has gone into things .... just like
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-29/rare-orchid-halts-motorsports-complex-on-south-coast/8396090

[alnjan]

Talking about not counting chickens ...

"Scientists discover 'remnants of ancient rainforests' in path of Coffs Harbour bypass development"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/rare-plant-species-found-near-highway-coffs-harbour-nsw/100149038

"Traditional custodians, environmentalists and scientists are calling for the unique patch of rainforest to be protected."

Due to the Aboriginal concerns about loss of anything Aboriginal a group is now concentrating on the route checking for anything.   They had set up near by to where the plants were found and where 'washing' for artefacts. 

Yep, some people prefer not to have the Bypass built.   Their preferred route would result in the loss of more agricultural land, State Forest and National Park and have less impact on reducing traffic volumes within Coffs Harbour.   All seems a bit hypocritical.   

[alnjan]

Just saw this on my facebook feed.   

The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace has been announced by the State Government. The extension has 4 entries at Black Hill, Tarro, Tomago and Raymond Terrace.

https://www.facebook.com/m1trafficnsw/videos/304570728078745

For further detail

https://caportal.com.au/tfnsw/m1rt?fbclid=IwAR3X_pAh7onr48lmZea2WfYsZ3va9RySTs-DQCjqOwrgvUc1Q0Z73rf4A60