The Telegraph Point community is rallying around its local businesses, following the opening of the Pacific Highway bypass.
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At stake, says one resident Stacey Gunning, is the very essence of community.
"I've only been a resident for about three years. But this is my home," Mrs Gunning said.
"All the businesses in the village are local people. We don't want to have any of them close down.
"(With the bypass opening) more people are supporting them right now and we need to keep supporting them into the future.
"This is a very good community. We want to support these businesses so they keep operating.
"I would also support any moves to place signage on the highway highlighting just what services and facilities are available in the village."
Mrs Gunning said the Telegraph Point businesses served residents in the immediate area and throughout the district.
"We want to be able to duck down the street to fill up the kids' motorbikes or grab some milk.
"And there are some Port Macquarie who make the drive to Telegraph Point just for the cheaper fuel too."
Mrs Gunning posted a plea on Facebook for residents to not forget their 'wonderful, always wonderful' business people in Telegraph Point. The response was overwhelming, she said.
The co-owner of Liberty Service Station Dinesh Thakrani also supports calls for highway signage.
While his initial dealings with the relevant authorities have not been successful, he is continuing his call for help.
"If other villages and places that are bypassed are able to secure highway signage, I'm not sure why Telegraph Point cannot," he said.
I am not against the bypass. Far from it. But I think we deserve highway signage for our businesses and facilities.
- Dinesh Thakrani
"I run the service station, and my plea is not for just myself, it is for all of Telegraph Point's businesses and services.
"We have fuel, plenty of parking, a recreation club, good access to the river and a functioning boat ramp, Stoney Park that offers skiing, aqua park and accommodaiton, a tavern, post office, motor vehicle repairers ... plus a lot more.
"As it stands, there is nothing on the highway to indicate or inform passing motorists that we are here and have services available for them.
"I am not against the bypass. Far from it. But I think we deserve highway signage for our businesses and facilities."
Stoney Park's Anissa Manton praised the highway bypass but admitted 'it is a lot quieter because there is less traffic'.
"We are still being sought out for powered sites and overnight accommodation along with campers," she said.
"The aqua park is also proving popular and people are still making the effort to come to us.
"But the bypass has its pros and cons.
"Personally, I think the bypass is excellent. The only thing we would like to see is some signage, similar to the Billabong or Timbertown or Ricardoes Tomatoes.
"And the only access points to Telegraph Point are five kilometres to the north and south. That's why signage would be beneficial," she said.
A Destination NSW spokesperson said the Tourist Attraction Signposting Assessment Committee (TASAC) is a group formed by the NSW state government to have overall responsibility for the planning and implementation of tourist signposting systems.
The signposting has two measures. To safely and efficiently guide motorists to their destination, and to, inform visitors of the range of major attractions and services available within a destination.
“There are no applications from tourism businesses in Telegraph Point submitted to TASAC at present,” the spokesperson said.
