CONSTRUCTION is now underway on the first internal road within the Valla Urban Growth Area (VUGA), marking a major milestone for the long-planned mixed-use precinct.
Works began in late January on the 260 metre east–west road, which will link 14 large-scale Stage One industrial lots to Red Ash Road, Valla and provide direct access to the Pacific Motorway.
To date, around 2,800 tonnes of road base have been delivered by truck and trailer and spread by grader across the site as the subdivision begins to take shape.
Nambucca Valley Mayor Gary Lee said it was encouraging to see progress accelerating on a project decades in the making, with Stage One land expected to be released to the market from mid to late 2026.
“Valla Urban Growth Area is happening due to the hard yards of the Council and hours of strategic planning from the past 25 years,” he told News Of The Area.
“Stage One represents a fantastic opportunity for industry to invest here in large lots that are fully serviced with water and sewerage, fibre to the premises NBN connection and three-phase 415 volt power.
“The 260m of internal road being built connects to Red Ash Road, then it’s just a short drive to the Nambucca Heads interchange, where B-double trucks and other vehicles have easy access the Pacific Highway, and then onto Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie or any of our capital cities.
“This industrial precinct promises a fantastic start for industry in our valley and it will provide job opportunities and avenues to prosper for our valley for generations to come.”
Bede Spannagle, General Manager of Nambucca Valley Council, said the project had reached an exciting and significant phase.
“The critical, highly-technical construction elements enabling the Valla Urban Growth Area are now behind us, after the horizontal directional drilling of the water and sewer trunk mains under the Pacific Highway was achieved in December and January,” he told NOTA.
“Now AJ Civil Projects has completed the installation of sewer manholes and pipelines within VUGA there is approximately 600m of stormwater drainage and 660m of water main remaining to lay, along with electrical, lighting and communications utilities.”
Drawing attention to the residential potential of the development, Mr Spannagle added, “While this work, thankfully backed by the Federal and State Governments, has unlocked Stage One, the industrial precinct, I really want to see the site’s residential opportunities realised to ease the local housing crisis.
“To do this, we will be seeking further investment from our government counterparts.”
VUGA Stage One is being delivered through a combined investment of $11.2 million from the Australian and NSW Governments, alongside a $17 million contribution from Council.
Once complete, the precinct is expected to play a key role in supporting local jobs, attracting new industry, and advancing the objectives of Council’s Economic Development and Tourism Strategy.
By Mick BIRTLES
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