The highly anticipated Wauchope Main Street Plan was adopted by Port Macquarie-Hastings Council two years ago and moved into the detailed design phase.  

It was hailed by the then Mayor Peter Besseling as a huge step forward for Wauchope, with a vision to inject personality and create a lively town that celebrates its river, forest and people.

Key proposals include a reduced speed in the heart of the town to 40km/h, relocation of two pedestrian crossings, marked 15 minute parking areas, Hastings Street intersection improvements, Bransdon Street intersection improvements and re-organised taxi ranks.

In May 2016, Oxley member Melinda Pavey MP announced that King and Campbell Pty Ltd had been named the successful tenderer to design all stages of the Wauchope Main Street Plan.

At that time, Mrs Pavey said the new plan proposed to improve pedestrian safety and amenity of Wauchope CBD area in High Street and the NSW Government had committed $530,000 from Transport for NSW’s Active Transport program.

Work was expected to start in early 2017 with completion by the end of June, weather permitting.  But no work has been done yet.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council say they have received a letter of offer from Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) contributing $1.8m to the rejuvenation of the Wauchope Main Street.

The council say they have since been advised that the funding is contingent on the engagement of an RMS-approved project verifier.

“The cost of this engagement is estimated at an additional $150,000 and has not been previously budgeted for or included in the funding award. As a result, Council has requested additional funding from RMS to cover this requirement,” said Acting Director Infrastructure, Andrew Doig.

“Council are eager to commence the project and are currently working with the RMS to finalise the funding agreement and move forward to implementation stages,” he said.

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