Local MPs and council ‘disappointed’

The State Government has put plans for the controversial $10 billion Beaches Link tunnel on hold, saying the planning approval process would not proceed.

NSW Labor had promised to can the project before the State Election, saying infrastructure was needed in the fast- growing Western Sydney region, and not Mosman or the Northern Beaches.

Premier Chris Minns said when the news was announced: “We won’t waste $10 billion on another new toll road for the Northern Beaches. We’ll invest in infrastructure where it’s actually needed.”

As part of the project, tunnels were to be built under the harbour at the Spit to connect the Warringah Freeway at Balgowlah and Seaforth to the Gore Hill Freeway. Works were scheduled to commence this year and finish in 2029, and with planning started by the previous Liberal NSW Government in 2015. It was to provide a solution to congestion on Military Road, Mosman – said to be one of the most trafficked roads in Sydney – by reducing traffic by 11 per cent, and at Spit Road by up to 33 per cent. This was to then alleviate the load on roads leading to the Northern Beaches.

Mosman Council had been a strong advocate of the tunnel, and expressed its disappointment with the news. “Housing density has to be matched by infrastructure and Mosman is disappointed the Beaches Link tunnel will not be proceeding,” a spokesperson said. “Without this or heavy rail, higher density is difficult to achieve.”

Willoughby MP Tim James echoed the comments, saying the State Government needed to suggest a suitable alternative, ‘not just cut infrastructure investment to this part of Sydney’.

“The problem that Beaches Link was trying to solve remains. Military Road and arterial roads through Willoughby remain congested,” Mr James said.

“This announcement needs to be accompanied by consideration of an alternative link to the Northern Beaches that is acceptable to the community, including full investigation of a metro rail link.”

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