Residents around the Dapto area desperately want southbound ramps built to access the M1 Princes Motorway. Photo: Transport for NSW.
The NSW Government has shortlisted Fowlers and Kanahooka roads as the preferred locations for southern entry and exit ramps to the M1 Princes Motorway at Dapto.
The two locations reflect the Dapto community’s preferences, after consultation showed 63 per cent of respondents put Fowlers Road at the top of their list. Kanahooka Road was close behind with 58 per cent support.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has ruled out Emerson Road as an option, due to issues with flooding, detour routes and limited space, as well as posing a greater impact on residents, safety and biodiversity.
It said the Yallah Interchange, originally proposed as part of the Albion Park Rail bypass, was also considered as a possible location, however ramps at either Fowlers Road or Kanahooka Road “better align with the project’s objectives”.
Community support for additional ramp locations around Yallah and Albion Park was also low, with the Yallah area only supported by five per cent of the total responses.
Shellharbour MP Anna Watson said the Federal and State governments had been working for the past six months to determine the best location for the ramps, in response to feedback from the community.
The assessment process considered safety, traffic and transport outcomes, cost, environment and sustainability impacts, community needs and long-term benefits.
“The community’s feedback has played a key role in shaping the direction of this project and it’s great to see planning progress with two locations supported by locals,” Ms Watson said.
“Teams will now take a closer look at options at Fowlers and Kanahooka roads and carry out design, detailed traffic modelling, environmental studies, field investigations, cost estimates and economic analysis to determine the preferred location for the ramps.”
There is currently no southbound entry onto the M1 Motorway between Northcliffe Drive at Berkeley and the Princes Highway at Oak Flats.
Motorists from the Dapto area wanting to travel south on the motorway either have to use the Princes Highway though Albion Park, or drive north to Northcliffe Drive to turn around before heading south.
“South-bound ramps will aim to improve accessibility across the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region, which is expected to grow by around 100,000 people by 2041,” Ms Watson said.
“That growth will increase the total population to more than half a million and deliver new demands on the transport network. Almost half of that growth is expected in the West Dapto area.”
Planning for the ramps is jointly funded by the Federal and NSW governments, committing a total of $30 million. However, there is currently no funding for construction of the ramps.
TfNSW carried out community consultation in late 2023 and early 2024. It received more than 4200 pieces of feedback from residents, road users, businesses and councils, with Dapto residents providing 83 per cent (3424) of all responses.
It released a Community Consultation Summary Report in November 2024, which detailed the frustrations of motorists who regularly experience congestion and long delays in the morning and afternoon peak travel periods on the motorway.
“There was particular frustration from road users needing access to the south, but who cited having to travel north before turning around,” the report said.
One resident told the project team: “The congestion during peak times has increased significantly over the last few years. The population is actively expanding and will likely only worsen. We need streamlining options that will take the pressure off the local roads while also providing locals with easier access to intersuburb travel on the M1.”
Planning for the project will continue and survey work will start at Fowlers and Kanahooka roads.
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