The Albanese and Minns Labor governments are making progress on the much anticipated Milton-Ulladulla Bypass, with the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) now lodged for public exhibition.
The release of the EIS is a significant step forward, giving the community an opportunity to explore the proposal, understand the potential benefits, impacts and mitigation measures, and provide feedback before the $940 million project moves into the next stage.
The proposed bypass runs west of the Milton and Ulladulla town centres, extending 12 kilometres from Little Forest Road in the north to Canberra Crescent in the south.
Access to Ulladulla, Mollymook, Narrawallee and surrounding communities will be maintained via an extension of Bishop Drive.
The design includes supporting infrastructure such as structures that allow fauna to safely move around the proposed bypass, walking and bike riding links, and features to support safer and more efficient emergency service operations.
Importantly, the bypass is designed to separate local trips from through-traffic, helping the Princes Highway function more effectively and create safer and better-connected town centres.
For locals, that means fewer cars and trucks travelling through town, less traffic using local streets as congestion shortcuts and more reliable day-to-day journeys.
The benefits are expected to be even greater during busy holiday periods, with traffic modelling estimating the bypass could save drivers up to 48 minutes during the holiday peak.
By removing significant volumes of through-traffic and heavy vehicles from the Milton and Ulladulla town centres, the bypass will reduce interactions between local traffic, freight, pedestrians and cyclists, helping create safer streets for the community.
Keeping freight and goods moving efficiently is critical for local businesses, tourism and the broader South Coast economy, and the bypass would result in up to 780 heavy vehicles per day shifting off the Princes Highway and onto the bypass.
The Milton Ulladulla bypass has benefited from using Project Swift initiatives to bring forward key project activities such as property acquisition and EIS lodgement by up to nine months.

Community members are encouraged to review the EIS and concept design and make a submission during the public exhibition period, which is open now until Monday 19 October 2026.
Drop-in sessions will be held as follows:
• Tuesday 29 September – Ulladulla Civic Centre, between 11.00am and 7.00pm
• Wednesday 30 September – Milton Memorial Park, between 11.00am and 2.00pm
• Sunday 11 October – Ulladulla Harbour Markets, between 8am and 1.00pm
• Tuesday 13 October – Milton Memorial Park, between 12.00pm and 4.30pm
• Wednesday 14 October – Ulladulla Civic Centre, between 2.00pm and 7.00pm

The EIS is available on the NSW Major Projects Planning Portal website, where submissions can be lodged.
The Milton Ulladulla Bypass is jointly funded by the Australian ($752 million) and New South Wales ($188 million) governments.
For more information and to review the design features of the bypass, visit: https://caportal.com.au/tfnsw/mub.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government is investing in the infrastructure the South Coast needs for the future, and the Milton Ulladulla Bypass is a major part of that work.
“Releasing the Environmental Impact Statement is an important milestone and gives the community the opportunity to have a detailed look at the proposal and help shape the project as planning progresses.
“This bypass has the potential to deliver safer and more reliable journeys, improve freight movements and support growing South Coast communities.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:
“For too long, locals have had to plan their lives around traffic through Milton and Ulladulla, particularly during the holiday peak.
“We know that taking traffic and heavy vehicles out of the town centres will make a real difference for people who live, work and run businesses here.
“Unlike the former Government, we’re getting on with delivering this essential piece of infrastructure.
“We’ve already brought key planning work forward by up to nine months through Project Swift, and the release of the Environmental Impact Statement marks another important step towards delivering this long-awaited project.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park:
“This is a project the Milton Ulladulla community has wanted to see progress for a long time, so reaching the EIS stage is an important step.
“Getting through traffic and heavy vehicles out of the heart of Milton and Ulladulla would make a real difference to the way these town centres look, feel and function.
“It means safer streets, better connections for people walking and riding, and less pressure on local roads, particularly during the busiest times of year.
“I encourage everyone across the community to have their say and make sure local voices continue to be heard as planning progresses.”

Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips:
“Locals have been telling me for years about the impact congestion has on Milton and Ulladulla, particularly when holiday traffic brings the Princes Highway to a crawl.
“This project is about making everyday life easier for locals while keeping visitors, freight and businesses moving across our region.
“The release of the EIS gives our community a genuine opportunity to examine the proposal in detail and provide feedback on what matters most to them.
“I encourage everyone to get involved, attend one of the community sessions and have their say.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for South Coast Liza Butler:
“This is a major step forward for a project that matters enormously to people across Milton, Ulladulla and the wider South Coast.
“Locals know better than anyone what congestion through these town centres looks like, especially during holiday periods, and why a long-term solution is needed.
“The bypass has the potential to take pressure off local streets, improve safety and make everyday trips more reliable for people who live and work here.
“I encourage everyone to read the EIS, attend a drop-in session and have their say on the future of this important project.”