The Minns Labor Government is investing $15 million in the 2026-27 NSW Budget to progress planning for upgrades along the M1 Pacific Motorway corridor between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay. 

The NSW North Coast is one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia, placing increasing pressure on the M1 Pacific Motorway corridor.

As a nationally significant transport link connecting Sydney and Brisbane, the corridor plays a critical role in supporting freight, tourism and cross-border travel between NSW and Queensland. 

The investment matches the $15 million Albanese Government contribution creating a $30 million package that will deliver modelling, concept designs and economic analysis for future upgrades to key intersections along this critical corridor.  

With major capacity upgrades already complete north of the border and continued population growth across Northern NSW, targeted investment is needed 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. 

For the nearly 70,000 motorists travelling through the M1 at Tweed Heads each day, this project will undertake essential planning and design works that will ultimately mean safer journeys, reduced congestion and a plan for the future of one of regional NSW’s most important transport corridors.  

As part of the package, planning will begin for targeted short-term improvements at key locations including: 

•         Kennedy Drive, Tweed Heads 

•         Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads 

•         Darlington Drive, Banora Point 

•         Tweed Coast Road, Chinderah 

The investment will also support planning work at Ewingsdale Road, to address traffic congestion at this key gateway to Byron Bay. 

As well, the funding will investigate public transport and bus priority infrastructure upgrades across the North Coast, as well as improvements to support more efficient freight movements between NSW and Queensland. 

Future investigations will also 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.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King:

“Labor has a proud history of 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.” 

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison: 

“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." 

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin:  

“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 Tweed 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."

Quotes attributable to Member for Richmond, Justine Elliot: 

“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 Labor 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.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Labor Spokesperson for Tweed and Ballina, Emily Suvaal:

"Anyone who regularly travels through Tweed Heads, Banora Point, Chinderah or Byron Bay understand 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."