Maria River Road Upgrade
Following the appointment of Eire Constructions, work on the Maria River Road Upgrade will commence on site from 5 January 2026 (weather permitting).
Road users are asked to avoid unnecessary travel, follow traffic control and signage, adhere to reduced construction speed limits, allow extra travel time, and be koala-aware.
Work hours: Monday–Friday 7am–6pm | Saturday 8am–1pm
Contact: Eire Constructions’ Community Liaison Team
T. 1300 863 473 E.community@eirecon.com.au
Maria River Road provides an important connection between Port Macquarie and Crescent Head communities as well as servicing businesses and residents living along and off the road.
Of the road’s 30km, 24.3km is currently unsealed and is subject to fluctuating conditions, particularly after wet weather, presenting access and safety concerns for users.
The southern 12.7km of unsealed road sits in the Port Macquarie Hastings Local Government Area (LGA) and the northern 11.7km of unsealed road in the Kempsey LGA. The two Councils are jointly delivering the upgrade.
A 4.1km section of road identified as a high koala-activity zone will remain unsealed for now. Koala-protection measures will be revisited with state agencies in future planning discussions, while work continues on the remainder of the project.
Port Macquarie Hastings Council and Kempsey Shire Council have reached an important milestone for the Maria River Road Upgrade, with Eire Construction appointed to deliver the works. This means we are now able to move into the construction phase, with onsite work scheduled to begin in early 2026.
Further details can be found within the Maria River Road Upgrade December 2025(PDF, 495KB) update.
Project Description
The upgrade aims to deliver over 20kms of bitumen sealed road. New culverts and existing table drains will aid in drainage however, the upgrade is not designed for flood immunity given the flat and low-lying topography of this area.
The project includes:
- Concept and detailed design
- Partial property acquisition
- Land revocation (NPWS)
- Culvert replacements
- Road stabilisation
- Gravel base with bitumen seal
- Speed limit changes
- Guardrail and signage installation
- Linemarking and guideposts
- Vegetation removal
- Environmental and cultural assessments
Environmental and other Assessments
Maria River Road crosses two local government areas. The area is home to identified koala food trees and habitat and has an approximate 13km frontage along Limeburners Creek National Park. The work area is, in part, subject to the conditions of State Environment Planning Policy (SEPP) for coastal wetlands.
The following assessments have been completed to enable the project to progress and as a requirement of planning permissions:
- Review of Environmental Factors
- Geotechnical investigations
- Revocation Bill passed into Legislation and proposed boundary adjustments between the road and adjacent National Park and Wildlife Service (NPWS) land approved by the Minister for the Environment
- Development Applications (one for each Council area)
- Environmental Impact Statements
- Aboriginal and Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHAR)
- Traffic Impact Assessment
- Biodiversity Development Assessment Report
- Flora and Fauna Impact Assessment
- Flood Impact Assessment
Timeline
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Funding Approved - 2020 WE ARE HERE
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Engagement of design consultant - 2021 WE ARE HERE
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Environmental and geotechnical investigations - 2021 WE ARE HERE
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Concept design - 2021 WE ARE HERE
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Flood study - 2022 WE ARE HERE
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Detailed design WE ARE HERE
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Determination of NPWS Revocation Bill WE ARE HERE
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PMHC DA submission for first review - March 2023 WE ARE HERE
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Additional studies - November 2023 and June 2024 WE ARE HERE
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KSC DA submission - Nov 2024 WE ARE HERE
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Determination of Environmental Assessment - Complete Sept 2025 WE ARE HERE
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Contract Award - Complete November 2025 WE ARE HERE
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Site Establishment - December 2025 WE ARE HERE
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Construction Commencement - Early 2026 WE ARE HERE
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Construction Complete - Late 2026 (Weather Permitting) WE ARE HERE
Location
Maria River Road is accessible via the Hibbard and Settlement Point Ferries from the South, and Crescent Head Road from the North, View Map
-31.2943583,152.8645315
Maria River Road is accessible via the Hibbard and Settlement Point Ferries from the South, and Crescent Head Road from the North ,
Maria River Road is accessible via the Hibbard and Settlement Point Ferries from the South, and Crescent Head Road from the North ,
Maria River Road Upgrade