The sealing of the Maria River Rd has been welcomed by two Crescent Head businesses, who believe the decision will provide a boost to the local economy.
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The road, which links Crescent Head with Port Macquarie, will officially be sealed after money was allocated in the 2019/2020 state budget announced on June 18.
Barnett's Bakery and another local business, which wishes to remain anonymous, believe the sealing of Maria River Rd will lead to more tourists visiting the region.
"I think the decision to seal the road will lead to more people coming over from Port Macquarie. They will come on weekends and for day trips," co-owner of Barnett's Bakery Rae Barnett told the Argus.
"I know there are some locals who are against the decision to seal the road but from a business point of view it's great."
Ms Barnett has always noticed an increase in business over the holiday period and she claims some of her customers are holidaying in Port Macquarie, but travel to Crescent Head for the day.
"People come in and tell me they are holidaying in Port Macquarie but decided to come over for a day trip and I think there will be a lot more people doing that once the road is sealed," she said.
"Quite often they will ask if I know if the road is in a bad state or whether it's driveable so I know where they have come from but they have obviously taken the highway here."
The manager of a Crescent Head business, who has chosen to remain anonymous, agrees more people will travel to the popular holiday destination.
"People from Port Macquarie and tourists staying there are more likely to travel on the Maria River Rd as it's a bit of a novelty," the business manager said.
"They can catch the ferry across the Hastings River and then take the scenic drive to Crescent Head instead of going on the highway.
"I think that would make a good day out for the tourists who are probably from the city and don't get to experience a trip like that very often."
However, the business manager claims the most important benefit from sealing the road will be for the safety of local residents and those who live on Maria River Rd.
Ms Barnett's daughter, Penny Bunting, who also works at the family bakery, lives on Maria River Rd.
Ms Bunting is looking forward to the sealing of the road and believes it will improve the safety.
"I think it's a great idea to seal it," Ms Bunting said.
"I think the Pacific Highway upgrade had already made a difference, as less people travel on Maria River Rd now, but it will definitely improve the safety for everyone who does drive on it.
"People who aren't accustomed to driving on dirt roads often drive too fast and I have seen a fair few crashes.
"The potholes make the road quite dangerous and people will swerve onto the other side of the road to avoid them and it's led to collisions and plenty of near misses."
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The improved conditions will also contribute to additional savings for those who travel on the road on a daily basis.
"My husband and I travel on the road at least two times a day and our cars take punishment," she said.
"I have spent at least $2,000 on ball joints, wheel bearings and shock absorbers over the past two years."
Kempsey Shire councillor and Crescent Head resident Mark Baxter told the Port News last week the upgrade will be a "massive" boost to the Macleay Valley.
"It should increase the flow of tourists into the Macleay - lunch at Crescent, visit the Art Gallery at Gladstone, swim and dinner at Hat Head and scuba dive and sleepover at South West Rocks," Cr Baxter said.
"The Hastings Valley receives billions in tourist dollars from the 1.6 million tourists per year, our valley receives far less with only half a million tourists per year.
"If we can increase the flow of tourists we will address unemployment and poverty in our valley."
A start date for construction on the Maria River Rd hasn't been announced.
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