Though NSW Roads and Maritime Services agreed to contribute up to $250,000 towards construction of the site, the initial estimate for the works was estimated to exceed $750,000. This cost has not been accounted for in council’s Long Term Financial Plan, operations manager Matt Fanning said.

“Costing indicates that the value of the work for basic construction is approximately $750,000,” Matt said. 

“This estimate would be subject to final geotechnical and pavement design specifications … and in so saying it should also be noted that pavement design, public amenities or power did not form part of this initial estimate, which would result in significant higher project costs depending on the form of the public amenities and final pavement design. 

“Ongoing operational costs would also need to be taken into account. For example, power and waste services.

“Effectively we have no money allocated, nor are we in a position to contribute any funds toward the construction, development and ongoing operational costs of such a site … and there’s been no business case or feasibility study that been prepared, to demonstrate any benefits for the development of a Urunga Rest Area.”

The blunt assessment came as a blow to the seaboard chamber, which hoped council would take a longer-term vision of the infrastructure project.

“The failure to achieve a rest area at the Raleigh interchange on the Pacific Highway is an opportunity lost in the view of Urunga Mylestom Chamber of Commerce,” president Steve Allan said.

“Such a facility, which was to be situated at the juncture of the Waterfall Way and the Pacific Highway, would have provided a valuable platform for showcasing the many attributes of the Bellingen Shire to motorists. 

“There will now be no interface between the Bellingen Shire and the Pacific Highway traffic other than general directional signage as approved by NSW Roads and Maritime Services.

“Also, negotiations were well under way to continue the provision of the important Driver-Reviver service at the proposed rest area once the bypass of Urunga is completed.

“The chamber is disappointed that a successful outcome could not be found.”

During the meeting councillor Gary Carter questioned what would happen to the existing Urunga Visitor Centre, housed along the current highway, and furthermore, what were the implications for not having a shire information service along the busy thoroughfare.

Council's Michael Grieve responded by noting the Nambucca Heads Travel Centre already announced will provide a valuable platform for tourism promotion for both north and south bound traffic and he’d been looking at other options.

“The Urunga Visitor Centre will remain open 12 months after the new highway opens, and then we’ll evaluate it,” Michael said.

“We are also looking at moving the centre to a more centrally located place - maybe the Urunga library, or another council building, or at Morgo St Reserve or at the holiday park … these are all ideas council is exploring with the community.”

Michael also noted that many of the volunteers were aging and that a safer environment was a priority. 

Councillors passed the motion to reject the Urunga rest area unanimously. The site will now be relinquished, levelled and landscaped as part of the Pacific Highway upgrade works. Council will request RMS to develop and implement, with its existing funding commitment of $250,000 a place-marking strategy for both Urunga and the Waterfall Way, to promote visitation and tourism.