Labor pledges to dump proposed $10b Northern Beaches Link

State opposition leader Chris Minns has revealed he will dump the proposed Northern Beaches Link if his party wins the next state election.

Labor will scrap the $10 billion northern beaches link should it win the next state election with the money to be diverted to improving western Sydney transport infrastructure.

In a speech to be delivered to the party faithful taking part in the NSW ALP conference on Saturday, state opposition leader Chris Minns will unveil a major new policy pitched at heartland seats – pledging to dump the proposed Northern Beaches Link.

In justifying the move, Mr Minns will tell delegates how the business case for the toll road “barely stacks up”.

“Despite it costing more than the Western Harbour Tunnel, it seems it will only carry 25 per cent of the traffic,” he said.

“We don’t need new expensive toll roads for the Northern Beaches – we need brand new public transport infrastructure for the west.

“I can announce (on Saturday) that NSW Labor Government will not proceed with this toll road and instead send whatever funds exist – straight to western Sydney for much needed public transport infrastructure.”

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns will unveil his new plan for the party at the NSW ALP conference. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

The announcement is set to buoy many northern beaches locals who have been split in their support for what had been former premier Gladys Berejiklian’s pet project.

With the population of Camden, Parramatta and Liverpool set to explode over the next two decades, Mr Minns said Labor would focus on critical transport links that opened up economic opportunity and jobs for the people of western Sydney.

Mr Minns said made tolls the centrepiece of his narrative since taking on the top job.

The Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link comprises a Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT) and Warringah Freeway Upgrade from Cammeray across the harbour to WestConnex interchange at Rozelle.

In 2016, this section was estimated to cost $6.3 billion.

The Beaches Link – an alternative to the Spit Bridge for the Northern Beaches and connecting to the Western Harbour Tunnel and Gore Hill Freeway, was costed in 2016 at $7.3 billion.

By the time the contracts are issued, it is expected to link will cost closer to $10 billion.

it is understood Ms Berejiklian sought to bring on discussion among her colleagues about the funding of the link twice in the past few weeks.

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