Beaches Link: Critics urge crossbench MPs to fight Budget funding boost
Critics of the proposed twin tunnels intended to solve commuter traffic woes on the northern beaches want future funding stopped — and have asked crossbench MPs to help.
Manly
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A community group opposed to the Beaches Link road tunnels has urged independent and minor party MPs to oppose the NSW Government putting any more money towards the project.
The Balgowlah Residents Group has written to all crossbenchers in the NSW parliament asking that they reject funding that might be announced in the State Budget on November 17.
It said the proposed underground toll road, linking Seaforth and Balgowlah to the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray, was an “ideological white elephant” and a “ politically motivated vanity project that will not fix transport on the northern beaches”.
Money has been set aside in the past four NSW Budget towards planning for the twin tunnels.
The Manly Daily asked Transport for NSW on Friday if it was aware of more money being allocated to Beaches Link, which is still only a proposal at this stage, in the November 17 Budget.
It declined to answer the question.
In its letter to parliamentary crossbenchers the Balgowlah Residents Group said it was concerned that more money would be allocated to the Link before an environmental-impact statement or a business case for the project were released.
“As a local community group, we have gained support from residents realising the project would not significantly improve travel times in the longer term, and only create further congestion on local roads with limited public transport options,” the letter stated.
“Going ahead with the project would also mean significant environmental destruction to some of our local waterways and green spaces, and would result in no future funding to actually improve transport in the area.
“We urge you reject any further funding towards, and oppose the building of the Beaches Link
Tunnel, on the basis that it is a politically motivated vanity project that will not fix transport on the northern beaches and, if built, will be viewed as an ideological white elephant into the
future.”
The group’s secretary Terry le Roux said he had already received feedback from some rural-based crossbenchers who told him that money should be spent on much-needed infrastructure in the bush rater than on Beaches Link.
But the State Government has consistently spruiked to residents that Beaches Link, along with the proposed Western Harbour Tunnel, would improve car and bus journey times and provide new connections to St Leonards and Macquarie Park.
It predicted travel time savings of up to 56 minute of the journey from Dee Why to Sydney Airport.
A traffic survey conducted by the federal MP for Warringah, Zali Steggall, released last month found that 44 per cent of respondents thought the Beaches Link should be given the highest priority.
Transport for NSW said on Friday it was planning to release the Beaches Link EIS “later this year”.
“The EIS will be an opportunity for the community to view the latest plans and provide submissions before we start building this major new link which will slash travel times between the northern beaches and Sydney,” a spokesman said.
“The final cost of the project will be known when a construction contract has been awarded.
“The NSW 2020-21 Budget will be handed down on November 17 and will outline funding allocations for projects across the state.”