The NSW Government has confirmed that upgrades to the Oxley Highway corridor around Port Macquarie will move forward in stages, providing an important development for one of the region's major transport routes. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council welcomed the announcement on 10 August 2026, while continuing to call for firm funding commitments and construction dates for the most congested section of the highway.

The confirmed work covers the Oxley Highway between the Pacific Highway interchange at Thrumster and Hastings River Drive. According to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, detailed design and works at the Oxley Highway and Pacific Highway interchange, towards Wauchope, will progress using funding that has previously been announced.

The NSW Government has also confirmed that planning will continue for the section between Wrights Road and Lake Road. A strategic business case for this section was completed last year, helping establish the reasons for the upgrade, possible solutions and the investment required.

This section is particularly important for Port Macquarie because traffic congestion has become a major issue as the region continues to grow. Council says the population of the broader Port Macquarie-Hastings region is expected to increase from about 92,000 people to 103,000 by 2035, while new housing developments are continuing.

Mayor Adam Roberts welcomed the latest government update but said the community still needs specific funding allocations and realistic construction timelines. Council has described the Wrights Road to Lake Road section as the region's highest-priority transport issue.

The council has been advocating for improvements to this section for more than a year. Its proposed staged solution includes traffic signals and turning improvements at the Oxley Highway and Lake Road intersection, an additional eastbound lane between Wrights Road and Lake Road, and improved traffic controls at the Wrights Road roundabout.

Council believes these improvements could help reduce congestion and improve travel reliability for residents, businesses and visitors using the corridor. The Oxley Highway is an important connection through the Port Macquarie area and links residential areas with the Pacific Highway and other major regional routes.

Further planning is also expected for future interchange improvements at Philip Charley Drive and Carlie Jane Drive, along with safety improvements at the Widderson Street intersection. Council says these longer-term projects will be important as traffic volumes increase.

Road safety is another focus of the announcement. Council has specifically called for urgent upgrades to the Oxley Highway at King Creek, where Transport for NSW is currently undertaking detailed design work. Council is seeking construction funding to follow the design stage as quickly as possible.

The latest announcement therefore represents progress, but it does not mean all construction will begin immediately. Council stressed that funding and timelines remain outstanding for some of the most important sections of the corridor.

For Port Macquarie residents, the development is significant because improvements to the Oxley Highway could affect daily commuting, freight movements, emergency access and travel between growing residential areas and the wider road network.

The council said it will continue working with Transport for NSW and the NSW Government while advocating for the remaining funding commitments.

Overall, the announcement provides a clearer direction for the future of the Oxley Highway, with some work moving toward detailed design and construction while other sections remain in the planning and funding stages.