Three JVs shortlisted for $1.8B Coffs Harbour Bypass

Coffs-Harbour-Bypass

Coffs Harbour Bypass, media release, NSW Government,

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Construction on the Coffs Harbour bypass is a step closer to commencing with the shortlist of companies invited to tender for construction announced today.

CPB Webuild Joint Venture, Acciona Seymour Whyte Joint Venture and Gamuda Ferrovial Joint Venture have been selected to take part in the tender process, which will be finalised by the end of the year with the successful contractor to be announced in mid-2022.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said today’s announcement moves Coffs Harbour and the surrounding region a step closer to realising the benefits of this economy-boosting project.

“The Coffs Harbour bypass project is going to change this region forever, helping to connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Deputy Premier and New South Wales Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said this is a significant step towards a project that will transform the region.

“This will be the biggest infrastructure project in Coffs Harbour’s history, removing more than 12,000 vehicles a day from the centre of town, bypassing 12 sets of lights and saving around 11 minutes in travel time,” Mr Toole said.

“The improvements in congestion and safety will be enormous, and will ensure Coffs Harbour continues to grow and prosper for generations to come.”

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said the bypass will deliver an economic boost to the region, creating about 12,000 jobs during construction.

“Not only will locals get work but they’ll also get valuable training and experience that will be transferable to many careers or business ventures,” Mr Conaghan said.

“Supporting businesses will also enjoy a boost, as seen up and down the coast during the recently completed Pacific Highway upgrade.”

State Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the project is also having flow-on effects for the regional economy.

“We’ve signed up 13 local builders to carry out work on a range of at home-noise treatments including seals to windows and doors; reglazing with acoustic glass; installation of air conditioning; acoustic insulation; or relining of exposed walls,” Mr Singh said.

“More than 30 local businesses have also been engaged for the preliminary work now taking place and there will be more opportunities for local suppliers as work progresses.”

Three tunnels will be built for the bypass at Roberts Hill, Shephards Lane and Gatelys Road, delivering safer and quicker journeys for the thousands of locals, tourists and freight operators who use this route daily.

More information is available at www.pacifichighway.nsw.gov.au/coffsharbourbypass.

View the media release here

About the Coffs Harbour Bypass

The Coffs Harbour Bypass is a 14-kilometre bypass of the Coffs Harbour urban area, from Englands Road in the south to Sapphire in the north. The project was proposed by Transport for NSW as part of the Pacific Highway Upgrade project, funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

The Bypass is identified as Critical State Significant Infrastructure (CSSI) under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

The Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has approved the project, subject to strict conditions of approval, on recommendation from the department.

The key conditions of approval include:

  • requiring biodiversity offsets for impacts to koalas, restoration of key regional and local koala corridors on the Roberts Hill and Gatelys Road ridgelines and the erection of connectivity structures to minimise fragmentation of koala habitat
  • early implementation of at-house noise treatment to reduce construction noise impacts, 24-hour tunnelling works within an acoustic shed and additional operational traffic noise monitoring to confirm the effectiveness of noise mitigation measures
  • requirement for vegetative screening to create/maintain a visual buffer between residents and new road infrastructure
  • implementation of enhanced erosion control measures during construction and operation to minimise impacts on the Solitary Islands Marine Park
  • allowing Aboriginal groups/parties to undertake cultural salvage in areas that they have identified as having Aboriginal cultural heritage significance.

Source: © State of New South Wales and Department of Planning, Industry and Environment 2021

Image Source: Gatelys Road tunnel – Artist impression, Tunnel (450 metres long). Indicative only and design subject to change.

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