Bulli residents have expressed strong support for a bypass. Photo: NSW Transport.
The Bulli community has again called for a bypass to ease traffic congestion and improve road safety for the overwhelmed suburb.
The NSW Government has released a summary report on community consultation conducted in 2024 about the potential bypass.
It said 84 per cent of more than 2400 respondents were in favour of the development.
Respondents said an improved traffic flow, road network resilience and road safety were critical to the future of Bulli.
Residents said they felt their suburb had become more of a highway than a community and lost its village atmosphere.
Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park thanked the community for their involvement in the survey.
“The NSW Government is committed to planning for the right infrastructure to improve safety and efficiency across our road network and support our growing community and its visitors,” he said.
The Minns Labor Government provided $20 million for Transport for NSW to investigate the extension of Memorial Drive to provide a bypass of the Bulli town centre.
Some respondents, however, said they felt the congestion issues in Bulli could be better managed with greater investment in public and active transport.
One respondent, quoted in the report, had recently moved from Sydney to Bulli.
“The congestion in Bulli is minimal in comparison and could be addressed with more, interconnected public transport and pedestrian or bike access,” they said.
Early planning for the bypass started in 2023, following two earlier rounds of community consultation in 2019 and 2021, but a NSW Government spokesperson said investigations would take time to carry out.
They will be used to develop an options report and a strategic business case, both expected to be completed this year.
There are still no funds available for the construction of the bypass, however.
Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart said a range of options were being considered.
“It is important we take the time to carry out these comprehensive investigations to ensure we develop a solution that supports the future of our region,” she said.
“I thank the community for their time and consideration in compiling their submissions.”
More information, including the consultation report, is available here.
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