Sinclair Knight Merz was commissioned to undertake an environmental impact assessment for the upgrade, and partial realignment, of the Pacific Highway through the village of Warrell Creek on the NSW mid-north coast, 6 km south of Macksville. The proposal included the realignment of the Main Northern Railway.
A Review of Environmental Factors (REF) was prepared, including a detailed social impact assessment. Key issues affecting the proposal included the acquisition of homes, water quality and sedimentation control, and construction noise. An unusual aspect of the proposal is that the residents of the hamlet of Warrell Creek are currently wedged between the railway and the highway, and consideration was needed to determine whether noise attenuation measures would affect the aesthetics and microclimate of the area.
Sinclair Knight Merz also undertook a community consultation program. During the development of the project, it was found that public meetings in the local community hall proved the most effective way to keep the community informed. Four information sheets supplemented the meetings.
Two supplementary REFs were prepared to address concerns by NSW Fisheries and a local resident. These included the impacts of realigning an ephemeral stream back to its natural state, and maintaining access for locals to obtain produce. Finding a source of fill required for the construction of the project was also a key issue for the client.