Preliminary work has started on the project which is due to be completed in the second half of 2019.

Council director Jeffery Sharp said the decision to include night time works would minimise the impact on the business community and their customers.

“Works have commenced to upgrade High Street in Wauchope with the initial focus being the relocation of water main services,” Mr Sharp said.

“The works will be completed in a staged approached, including some after-hours operations to minimise impacts on the local community.

“Council staff have been in regular contact with local businesses via various means prior to the works commencing, and will continue to liaise with business owners to ensure they are kept up-to-date as the works progress.”

Mayor Peta Pinson said any business owner or operator concerned about any aspect of the project should contact council.

"These works will provide the Wauchope CBD with an aesthetically pleasing main street for the businesses and shoppers," she said.

"There is a large amount of works coming through the main street and naturally people will feel some discomfort during this stage.

"And while we do ask for understanding, council has information available on the works and we also welcome any discussion with any business operator.

"If you have concerns, contact council," she said.

Eco Wild owner Michele Malseed said her concerns centred on the timing of the works and impact on trade while acknowledging the finished works would be beneficial to the Wauchope community.

"I could not fault the technical people, the contractors or council staff but I do question why these works are starting now with many businesses already in Christmas trading," she said.

"Council has said they will cease works closer to Christmas, but for many businesses that trading period is not just the last two weeks in December.

"Businesses like mine cannot survive without that cash flow while there is also a lack of parking available.

"A better time to start the works would be in February and March when trading figures are softer."

Ms Malseed said the interruption to her business - specifically on Wednesday October 10 - was significant.

She said a couple of regular customers had indicated they thought the business was not trading.

"I also believe more works should be carried out on Saturday afternoon and Sundays and at night," she added.

Despite her concerns, Ms Malseed said she was thrilled that the work was being undertaken.

A Wauchope Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesperson said it is aware that some business operators have started to feel the impact of the main street works.

The spokesperson said chamber had discussed increasing its regular updates and contact with business operators as the works roll out.

"Council released a document that gave a better overview of the works and the different areas of the street that will be affected," the spokesperson said.

"The chamber looks forward to working with council for those regular updates.

"We understand that the works can impact on business and shoppers but we are looking forward to our main street being beautified.

"When it is complete we will be able to attract more people into our economic centre," the spokesperson said.

Businesses are encouraged to discuss their concerns with the chamber.

Cr Lisa Intemann said as well as the beautification works and reversal of Oxley Lane traffic direction, council is undertaking some underground works to upgrade water mains. 

"The whole project will take 45 weeks and there will be some disruption to parking and access, but every effort is being made to minimise disruption through night works where possible," Cr Intemann said.

"Some businesses have reported to me that they did not receive notification and that the information provided by council was not specific about timing. 

"I’ve asked council to take those concerns on board and suggested some improvements so shop managers can know in advance exactly when their shop access is likely to be affected. 

"We all want this process to run smoothly, and here’s a long way to go, so I really hope council does make the effort to ensure that shop keepers are progressively advised when their shop is likely to be affected."

The $2.686 million upgrade is being jointly funded by the NSW government and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

The work will involve an upgrade to the main street between Cameron and Hastings streets. 

This includes: