MidCoast Council is working towards creating safer alternate vehicular access to Hallidays Point.

Councillors resolved at the December council meeting to adopt an 11 point recommendation to request a new Gateway determination from the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to rezone land at Rainbow Flat to facilitate the realignment of Old Soldiers Road outside of Khappinghat Nature Reserve.

The recent bushfires in the region, and particularly in the Rainbow Flat area, has reaffirmed the importance of having an alternate access to Hallidays Point.

Old Soldiers Road is an unsealed winding track and has been used as a secondary access road to Diamond Beach and Red Head for many years. It provides an alternate link to The Lakes Way.

The community has consistently requested council consider options to formalise this 'track' to make it safer and more suitable for current usage levels. Options for Old Soldiers Road have been discussed by council for more than 20 years.

The December meeting resolved to discontinue a planning proposal made in 2015 and proceed with a new planning proposal for the land known as Tallwood Drive and Old Soldiers Road, Rainbow Flat.

The revised plan will be submitted to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

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At the time of the meeting, consultation had been occurring with NSW Government agencies including the Office of Environment and Heritage, National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Rural Fire Service. Internal consultation has also been undertaken with the water services section of council. Consultation was still yet to be undertaken with the Department of Primary Industries, Essential Energy and Telstra.

All required studies and consultant fees will be paid by the applicant and the realignment of Old Soldiers Road within the land being rezoned will be funded by the landowners.

The road upgrades required outside of private land will be funded through development contributions.

Landowners will enter into planning agreements, which will be reported back to council prior to exhibition following drafting and agreement to the wording by the landowners and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Council will support ongoing work with the National Parks and Wildlife Service during the process as well as landowners of 518 Old Soldiers Road, Rainbow Flat to acquire land for a public road that will be used as part of the realignment.

Should a new Gateway determination be issued or any additional studies be prepared, government agency consultation will be undertaken and the planning proposal revised (to reflect the findings of the studies and results of agency consultation) in accordance with the Gateway determination.

Once ready, the planning proposal will go on public exhibition for a minimum 28 working days.

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