Planning for future upgrades to the M1 Pacific Motorway between Tweed Heads and Byron Bay will receive a $30 million funding boost, with the Federal and New South Wales governments each contributing $15 million.
The funding, announced as part of the 2026-27 New South Wales Budget, will support traffic modelling, concept designs and economic analysis for upgrades along one of Australia’s busiest regional transport corridors.
The M1 is a critical freight, tourism and commuter route linking Sydney and Brisbane, with increasing population growth across Northern New South Wales placing additional pressure on the network.
Planning will focus on key intersections including Kennedy Drive and Minjungbal Drive in Tweed Heads, Darlington Drive at Banora Point, Tweed Coast Road at Chinderah and Ewingsdale Road near Byron Bay.
The program will also investigate public transport and bus priority infrastructure, freight improvements between New South Wales and Queensland, and longer-term upgrades to several key interchanges along the corridor.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the investment would help prepare the corridor for future growth.
“We know here on the North Coast some interchanges between Tweed and Byron Bay can back up quickly,” King said.
“That’s why our $15 million investment, now matched by the New South Wales Government, will undertake the modelling, planning and design work needed to future-proof this important regional highway.”
New South Wales Minister for Roads, Jenny Aitchison, said the investment would support long-term planning for one of Australia’s most important transport corridors.
“The M1 Pacific Motorway connects communities, supports freight and drives economic activity between New South Wales and Queensland,” Aitchison said.
“Planning now for future upgrades will help ensure the corridor can continue to meet the needs of a growing population while improving safety and reducing congestion.”
New South Wales Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said the funding would address key congestion points while supporting the region’s continued growth.
“This planning work will help identify upgrades to some of the North Coast’s busiest interchanges while mapping out the long-term improvements needed to keep the region moving safely and efficiently,” Saffin said.
