One of these is the controversial northern interchange at Yallah.

In an 11-page submission from council to the NSW Planning Department, it offers “qualified support” for the extension but counters this by stating it “should not be approved by the department until the outstanding issues are considered and assessed”.

Among their concerns is an objection to the bypass being built in stages, which would see the northern interchange not built until a later date and residents at Dapto forced to continue using the Princes Highway.

“In this regard, the absence of the northern interchange would reduce the effectiveness of the bypass and force southbound traffic from significant suburbs of Dapto and surrounds onto the road networks within Shellharbour City Council’s Local Government Area,” the submission stated.

Council also proposed a change to the Albion Park interchange, that would link in with its planned Albion Park bypass via Tripoli Way.

Other concerns include construction cranes’ effect on Wings Over Illawarra and the proximity of the bypass to take-off and landing airspace at Illawarra Airport. 

A council spokeswoman said they were “confident that the officers at the Department of Planning will consider and address the issues raised”.