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$2.24m upgrade of O’Keefe Dr, Coffs Harbour, a boost for industrial estate

Coffs Harbour’s school buses will run rain, hail, shine or flood thanks to a multimillion dollar plan to upgrade a key link road near Bunnings. Here’s what will happen.

City of Coffs Harbour transport and open spaces group leader Daniel Noble says O’Keefe drive is floor-prone, as it lacks drainage and runs alongside Newports Creek. Picture: Chris Knight
City of Coffs Harbour transport and open spaces group leader Daniel Noble says O’Keefe drive is floor-prone, as it lacks drainage and runs alongside Newports Creek. Picture: Chris Knight

Coffs Harbour’s school buses will run rain, hail, shine or flood thanks to a multimillion dollar plan to upgrade a key link road near Bunnings.

Local state MP Gurmesh Singh has announced $2.24m will be spent on O’Keefe Dr in the south Coffs industrial area.

The road runs adjacent to Newports Creek and is flood-prone - providing a particular challenge for Busways whose yard sits on O’Keefe Dr.

City of Coffs Harbour transport and open spaces group leader Daniel Noble said the road would be resealed with reinforced concrete pavement.

“So even during a flood they’ll still be able to get in and out,” he said.

City of Coffs Harbour sustainable infrastructure director Andrew Beswick, mayor Paul Amos and Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh at the announcement of a $2.24 million reseal of O'Keefe Dr, Coffs Harbour, in the industrial estate. Picture: Chris Knight
City of Coffs Harbour sustainable infrastructure director Andrew Beswick, mayor Paul Amos and Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh at the announcement of a $2.24 million reseal of O'Keefe Dr, Coffs Harbour, in the industrial estate. Picture: Chris Knight

“The other problem is that the existing road has no subsoil drains so the water has nowhere to go when it does flood - so that will be addressed too.”

Mr Singh said the build would be funded from the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package.

“Rather than just repairing, we’ll be building back better. This is all about ensuring local infrastructure will be rebuilt to a higher standard, making it more resilient to future disasters,” he said.

Mayor Paul Amos said O’Keefe Dr was a key road in the Coffs industrial estate.

“Better roads will make this precinct more attractive to new and growing businesses,” Mr Amos said.

Mr Noble said detailed design work on the O’Keefe Dr project should be done by October, with construction to start in mid-2024.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/coffs-harbour/224m-upgrade-of-okeefe-dr-coffs-harbour-a-boost-for-industrial-estate/news-story/13d2c29e715da382b7ebb8ff150942a6