Proposed upgrade of the Pacific Highway at Karuah: species impact statement

The Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) is proposing to upgrade the Pacific Highway at Karuah 1, on the mid-north coast of NSW (Figure 1.1). After a detailed route selection process, a route which bypasses the town of Karuah (the 'Horse Island' route) was selected as the 'preferred option' in preference to other options including the upgrade of the existing route through Karuah (Figure 1.2). The proposed Bypass diverges to the north from the existing Highway approximately 5km west of the town of Karuah and will pass approximately 3km to the north of the town, crossing the Karuah River at Horse Island, via a new bridge. The crossing at Horse Island was selected in part to reduce the required span of the proposed bridge. The proposed upgrade of this section of the Highway is part of the overall Pacific Highway Upgrading Program, which is a joint NSW State/Commonwealth Government initiative. The Program has committed some $2.2 billion over ten years for upgrading of the Pacific Highway between Hexham and the Queensland border. The proposal includes the construction of a dual carriageway four-lane road to the north of the town of Karuah, interchanges between the existing Highway (which will be retained for local access) and the new Highway, a major bridge over the Karuah River, and the associated stormwater management features. With respect to flora and fauna matters, the proposed roadworks will include an array of features designed to facilitate fauna movements and to minimise adverse impacts upon the natural environment, as well as compensatory habitat measures to offset the adverse impacts which will be imposed by the project.