In response to a query about plans for possible sealing of Maria River Road, Kempsey Council has advised the following:

“While funding for sealing of Maria River Road was promised by the State Member for Oxley, Melinda Pavey (formerly Minister for Roads, etc.) prior to the last State election, no formal offer of funding has been received to date. In fact, Council has recently been requested to apply for funding under the Fixing Local Roads Program which is currently pending. In the absence of a formal offer that is acceptable to Council, no firm indication of when the road might be sealed is possible. However, given that the section of road is approximately 24km long, completion of environmental studies, design and construction is likely to take at least two years from the date funding is offered.”