Report raises concern about Western Harbour Tunnel works
A parliamentary report has delivered the findings of an inquiry into the impact of the Beaches Link and Western Harbour Tunnel projects, resulting in several recommendations.
The Public Works Committee recently delivered the report based on an inquiry into the impact of the Beaches Link and the $5 billion Western Harbour Tunnel, for which site work has already started.
The projects aim to connect drivers directly from the Northern Beaches at Balgowlah to Rozelle in the Inner West, and would include tunnels under Sydney Harbour and Middle Harbour to the north.
The report observed an abandoned ‘development partner model’ resulted in substantial compensation payouts to three companies that bid to work on the Western Harbour Tunnel, capped at $1 million each.
Recommendations were made regarding transparency and the impact on air and water quality that the tunnels could have on the communities in the Inner West, lower North Shore, and Northern Beaches.
The parliamentary committee also recommended the NSW Government “not proceed with Beaches Link,” because the government didn’t consider public transport as a viable alternative to motorways.
“The government has not provided a business case or benefit-cost ratio and the community is understandably sceptical of Beaches Link’s value,” Labor chair Daniel Mookhey said.
Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward said the report was “political”.
“This is a political report, led by Labor and the Greens who have opposed every infrastructure project delivered in NSW since 2011,” Ms Ward said to the media.
“The Western Harbour Tunnel is historic infrastructure for NSW, providing a third harbour crossing and slashing travel times from Sydney Olympic Park to North Sydney by 20 minutes.”
The Public Works Committee is made up of members from across the political spectrum including Liberal, Labor, Greens and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party.
“These are large projects, with large price tags and significant impact on the communities they interact with,” Mr Mookhey said.
“The committee makes various recommendations to improve transparency around the projects, noting the importance of properly informing the public ahead of the March 2023 election.”
The government is due to deliver a response to the report before 6 March.