New investment to progress planning on NSW M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades

Planning is progressing for upgrades along the M1 Pacific Motorway corridor between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay on the North Coast of New South Wales, with the Minns Labor Government committing $15 million in the 2026-27 NSW Budget.

This investment from the State Government matches the $15 million commitment from the Australian Government. The $30 million package will deliver modelling, concept designs and economic analysis for future upgrades to key intersections along the corridor.

“Labor has a proud history if delivering key upgrades along the M1, including the St Helena Tunnel and our current work on the Mid North Coast, delivering the Coffs Bypass.

“We know here on the North Coast, some interchanges between Tweed and Byron Bay can backup quickly.

“That’s why our $15 million investment, now matched by the NSW Government, will undertake essential modelling, planning and design work that is needed to future-proof this booming regional highway,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

The North Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and its growth is increasing pressure on the M1 Pacific Motorway corridor.

This corridor is a nationally significant transport link that connects Sydney and Brisbane, and it plays an important role in supporting freight, tourism and cross-border journeys between New South Wales and Queensland.

The targeted investment is critical to improve safety, reduce congestion and ensure the network can support future housing, jobs and visitor demand ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“It’s great that the NSW Minns Labor Government is matching the Albanese Labor Government’s $15 million in funding for the planning works for key fixes for Pacific Highway intersections on the North Coast.

“This funding will deliver modelling and concept designs for key interchanges from Tweed Heads to Chinderah.

“It will also start key planning work, so we can develop longer term improvements to the Ewingsdale Road interchange, a key link to Byron Bay.

“As your local MP, I’m proud to be building on more than $3 billion I’ve already delivered for our region, including make our roads safer with the duplication of the Pacific Highway between Sexton Hill and Ballina,” Member for Richmond Justine Elliot said.

The significant investment will cover essential planning and design works for road upgrades that will ultimately provide safer travel and reduced congestion for the nearly 70,000 motorists travelling through the M1 at Tweed Heads each day while, at the same time, deliver a plan for the future of this important transport corridor.

Planning will now get underway for targeted short-term improvements to key locations along the corridor including:

• Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads
• Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads
• Darlignton Drive, Banora Point
• Tweed Coast Road, Chinderah

“The M1 Pacific Motorway is one of Australia’s most important transport corridors, connecting communities, supporting freight and driving economic activity between NSW and Queensland.

“The North Coast is on the precipice of enormous growth – a booming population and major infrastructure on the way.

“But for the 70,000 people who use the M1 every day, congestion isn’t just frustrating – it’s time away from family, delayed freight, longer commutes and missed opportunities. It’s the nurse getting home late, the tradie losing productive hours and parents missing dinner with their kids.

“That’s why we’re investing $30 million, with half funded by the Albanese Labor Government, to plan the long-term upgrades this region will need for decades to come,” NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison said.

The joint investment will also support planning work for improvements at Ewingsdale Road, to improve congestion at this key gateway to Byron Bay.

The funding will also enable investigations to public transport and bus priority infrastructure upgrades across the North Coast as well as improvements to support more efficient freight movements between New South Wales and Queensland.

Moreover, future investigations will consider additional upgrades at Kennedy Drive and Minjungbal Drive, improvements at Tweed Coast Road in Chinderah, and upgrades to the Kirkwood Road and Gold Coast Highway interchanges.

“It is fantastic to see the North Coast thriving as a major hub for families, businesses, and tourism, and our job is to ensure our transport network fully supports that success. A strong, reliable M1 corridor is absolutely essential for keeping our local communities connected and our regional economy growing.

“This $30 million planning funding will ultimately help fix the worst pinch points – like Kennedy Drive and Twee Coast Road – while simultaneously mapping out the long-term upgrades this corridor desperately needs.

“With our local population on the rise, this is exactly the kind of forward-thinking investment needed to keep Northern NSW moving safely and efficiently for decades to come,” NSW Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said.

“Anyone who regularly travels through Tweed Heads, Banora Point, Chinderah or Byron Bay understands how important these upgrades are.

“This investment in planning and designing intersection upgrades to some of the region’s busiest interchanges, will lead to improved travel times and safer everyday journeys for local residents.

“It’s not just about easing congestion now. It’s about making sure our road network can handle the growth this region is already living through,” NSW Labor Spokesperson for Tweed and Ballina Emily Suvaal said.

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Transport for NSW; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government