Kempsey Shire Council will begin work after the school holidays on Monday October 12 on a multi-year project to upgrade a 7.3km section of sealed road between Jerseyville and Kinchela.

The $4 million project which is jointly funded by council and the NSW Government through the Fixing Local Roads Program will involve rehabilitation and resurfacing of the road following extensive preparations to the area.

The upgrade of South West Rocks Road was identified as a priority in council's 2020-2021 Operating Plan and will be carried out over the next two financial years due to the scale of the project.

Council's Manager Infrastructure Delivery, Dylan Reeves, said the benefit of rehabilitating and resurfacing the road will not only be better driving conditions and safety but also a reduction in the need for ongoing maintenance.

"We are aware of the South West Rocks community's concerns over the driving conditions on this stretch of road and it is a great result to be able to announce this much-needed upgrade," he said.

"After securing State Government funding to match council's contribution we are now in a position to break ground on a project that will significantly improve the drive for the community and tourists alike."

Council will also be upgrading the intersection of Hat Head Road later in the 2020-21 financial year to improve safety as well as reduce ongoing maintenance.

Mr Reeves said council were focused on delivering a long-term improvement and as such over recent weeks council has been undertaking riverbank rock protection work to stabilise the riverbank in preparation for the road upgrade.

"The preparation work has involved the placement of large rocks along the riverbank to stabilise and protect the road from tidal flow and flooding if the river rises," he said.

Council thanked the community for the patience as drivers may expect minor delays as a result of the ongoing roadworks with one lane closed and traffic control in place.

Residents and visitors are advised to use Plummers Lane as an alternate route where possible.