WARD BACKS M1 UPGRADE PETITION

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has joined local Illawarra residents in calling on the NSW Government to urgently address the worsening traffic congestion on the M1 Motorway by adding an extra lane in both directions between Yallah and West Wollongong.

Mr Ward said the Government’s lack of action on upgrading this vital corridor is leaving residents of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven stuck in gridlock and endangering public safety. 

“This isn’t just a traffic issue—it’s affecting the daily lives of people primarily in the Illawarra, but also the Shoalhaven,” Mr. Ward said.

“With our population booming, the M1 has become a bottleneck that is choking our economy, delaying commutes, and creating safety hazards for drivers. Residents deserve better than sitting in traffic for hours at a time, day after day, while the Government does nothing to fix the problem.”

Mr Ward pointed to the growing frustration among locals and said immediate action is needed to keep traffic flowing and ensure the motorway is fit for the region’s growth.

“This isn’t a complex fix. The solution is clear and the people of the Illawarra are already raising their voices through an ePetition demanding action. The question is whether the Government will listen or continue to ignore this crisis.”

“Every minute lost in traffic is a minute taken from families, workers, and businesses. This is a call for common sense and fairness—to give our community the infrastructure it needs and deserves,” he said.

Local Illawarra residents and co-founders of the ePetition, Mr Steve Abela, and Mr Romeo Cecchele joined Mr Ward in calling for the upgrade.

“Every extra minute spent in traffic means less time local residents are spending being productive. The M1 congestion isn’t just frustrating—it’s holding back the local economy. We need real investment now to make commuting efficient and safe for everyone,” said Mr Abela.

“If it’s this bad now, I can’t imagine what it will be like in 10 years. With the population growing and more cars on the road, the M1 will become a total nightmare. Without proper upgrades, we’re looking at gridlock every day, all day, this will bring our region to a standstill,” Mr Abela added.

“The congestion on the M1 isn’t just frustrating, it’s a failure of planning. We’ve been asking for extra lanes for years, but nothing ever happens. How bad does it have to get before someone in Sydney takes notice?” Mr Cecchele asked.

“Sydney politicians need to realise this isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a threat to public safety. Overcrowded roads don’t just delay commuters; they slow down ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles when every second counts. Without urgent upgrades to the M1, lives are at risk, and this is simply unacceptable.” Mr Cecchele concluded.

Residents are encouraged to sign the ePetition to put pressure on the Government to deliver this critical upgrade. The petition can be found here.