25 November 2020

The next stage of the Princes Highway Upgrade from Nowra to the Victorian border is powering ahead with the preferred options for three major projects between Jervis Bay Road and Ulladulla announced today.

The projects are the upgrade of Jervis Bay Road and Princes Highway intersection upgrade, Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road upgrade and the new Milton-Ulladulla bypass.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new bypass is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments and the projects were the beginning of transforming journeys along the South Coast.

"The future of the South Coast is being strengthened as we continue to upgrade local infrastructure to a standard the community needs, wants, expects and deserves," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

"We are committed to delivering on our Princes Highway commitments, ensuring better connected and more mobile communities and unlocking economic, employment and social opportunities between Jervis Bay and the Victorian border.

"The Australian Government has committed $500 million to future priority upgrades along the Princes Highway corridor in NSW to deliver safer journeys, connect communities and employ thousands of local people and boosting what is the state’s third-largest regional economy."

NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the focus was on prioritising the three projects between Jervis Bay and Ulladulla, along with ongoing planning for upgrades between Burrill Lake and Batemans Bay and the Moruya bypass.

"This next wave of highway upgrades will create about 1,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs for South Coast communities and create opportunities for local suppliers," Mr Toole said.

"We know how important these projects are to communities to meet today's needs and support future growth on the South Coast and we’re getting on with delivering them as quickly as possible.

"The Australian and NSW governments have already spent $2.5 billion on the Princes Highway upgrade since 2011 and is well on the way to delivering a continuous high-standard road between Sydney and Bomaderry.

"A further $1.5 billion has been committed for projects between Jervis Bay and the Victorian border which will see a total of $4 billion spent on the Princes Highway Upgrade."

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Hogan said the projects announced today would be a big boost to the regional economy.

"These Princes Highway initiatives will deliver safer and more reliable journeys between South Coast communities, and ease congestion particularly during peak holiday periods," Mr Hogan said.

"Along the NSW South Coast and indeed across the state and nation, the Australian Government’s $110 billion infrastructure investment program is laying the foundations for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic."

State Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said the confirmation of the existing bypass corridor reserved in the Shoalhaven Local Environmental Plan (LEP) gives the community great certainty moving forward.

"The community and local council have been planning around this corridor for more than a decade, so it's a great win for the community that this option has been endorsed," Mrs Hancock said.

"It will ensure that Milton, Ulladulla and Mollymook remain highly accessible for visitors and tourists, while reducing the number of heavy vehicle movements through the Milton and Ulladulla town centres.

"The upgrade from Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road will also improve safety and traffic efficiency by providing an upgraded alignment, two lanes in each direction and better accessibility to key intersections including the townships of Wandandian and Bewong while bypassing east of Wandandian."

State Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said a proposed flyover for the Jervis Bay Road and Princes Highway intersection upgrade will prioritise safety, efficiency and connectivity.

"The intersection experiences the highest vehicle movements south of Nowra, with a history of tragic accidents. A flyover at Jervis Bay Road would be the safest option, and provide the best results for congestion which were the community’s top two priorities for this intersection," Mr Ward said.

"We have always said that we would never compromise on safety for cost reasons, which is why we are delivering a flyover at this intersection, ensuring more families get home safely."

Communities are encouraged to have their say on each of the three options by Sunday 20 December with community information sessions held online on the following dates:

• Jervis Bay Road intersection, Friday 4 December, 10am to 10.30am;
• Jervis Bay Road to Sussex Inlet Road upgrade, Friday 4 December, 12.30pm to 1pm;
• Milton Ulladulla bypass, Monday 7 December, 2pm to 2.30pm;

All feedback will be considered as the designs are refined and developed, and environmental assessments are prepared.

To have your say go to Princes Highway Upgrade website.