The City of Coffs Harbour, together with the Australian and NSW governments, have combined their efforts and funding resources to improve the resilience of O’Keefe Drive.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson says through combined disaster recovery funding, O’Keefe Drive is now much better able to withstand the impacts of flooding.
“The work, carried out by City of Coffs Harbour, involved replacing 650 metres of the existing road pavement with stronger and more durable pavement and road surface,” the spokesperson says.
Road drainage improvements, which help reduce water build up, were also installed to improve accessibility during high rainfall events.
Despite being initially approved for $2.2 million for the project, the City of Coffs Harbour managed to utilise an alternate method of improvement works – from rigid concrete pavement to deep lift asphalt – and delivered the work for just over $710,000.
“Keeping the community connected during a natural disaster and getting things moving again as quickly as possible after danger has passed is critical to minimising the effects of disasters,” the spokesperson says.
“This work will help retain access for the businesses in the area around O’Keefe Drive during periods of severe weather, meaning the services – including the local Busways bus terminal – and the economic benefits they provide to the local economy won’t be lost.
“We commend Coffs Harbour City Council for putting this proposal forward, and for saving taxpayer funds through its delivery using a less-expensive method than initially proposed.”
Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams says this project improves the resilience of a key road in the South Coffs industrial estate.
“O’Keefe Drive runs adjacent to Newports Creek and is prone to localised flooding in significant weather events like the one we had in 2022,” she says.
“As an important road for many heavy vehicle movements, this project should result in a good surface for at least 20 years. I commend the commitment of the NSW and Australian Governments to building back better.”