Beaches Link tunnel environment report delayed casting haze over $8 billion project’s future
The proposed construction of the $8 billion Beaches Link toll road has divided opinion. Now the community will have to wait longer to see an environmental report into the tunnel.
Manly
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The future of the proposed Beaches Link into the northern beaches has become hazier after transport officials confirmed the release of an environmental report into the $8 billion toll road had been delayed.
An environmental-impact statement (EIS) was set to be released “mid-year” but Transport for NSW said it was not “expected” to be available for public exhibition until “later this year”.
Critics of the underground link — from Cammeray to Seaforth and Balgowlah — now say the impacts of COVID-19 call for a rethink of the project and that the NSW Government should not rush into such a large investment.
The government’s most recent Beaches Link “Community Update” document, released in November 2019, said: “We expect to have the Beaches Link EIS available for public exhibition from mid-2020.”
But when asked by the Manly Daily this week if the EIS was due out soon, TfNSW said
changes made to the proposed design announced in November, meant more time was needed to “carry out the necessary investigations, assessment and documentation”.
The design changes included updating the construction site at Seaforth and providing a permanent access road on the western side of the recreational precinct — on the site of Balgowlah golf course.
“The Beaches Link Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is expected to be available for public exhibition later this year,” a TfNSW spokesman said.
“Following community feedback some changes have been made to the proposed design that changed the timing of the EIS release.
“These changes mean more time is required to carry out the necessary investigations, assessment and documentation in preparation of the EIS public exhibition.”
A spokeswoman for a group opposed to the link — Beaches Tunnel – How it impacts YOU (Save Balgowlah) — said the business case for the road needed to be reassessed because traffic levels were dropping with more people working from home.
“Many of us in the community believe the impacts of COVID-19 call for a rethink of the project, to not rush into such a large investment,” the spokeswoman said.
“The original business case on costs of $12 billion has still not been released, but reliable expert estimates have the project only worth $3.5-$4 billion to any investor.
“This means a $7.5-$8 billion handout from the taxpayer, particularly hard to justify in such tight economic times.”
The group was also concerned that unfiltered exhaust stacks were still in the plans.
Northern Beaches mayor Michael Regan said that while the timeline for the release of the EIS was a matter for the government, it needed to be considered in line with the overall project timeline.
Mr Regan said given the need for consultation with residents, the delay was anticipated due to the COVID-19 issues around public exhibitions and the work on refining the design at the portals at Seaforth and Balgowlah.
“However Council would like to see the EIS on display as soon as possible to respond to community needs across the northern beaches.”
Mr Regan reminded residents that the link had been needed for the last 20 years to connect the area more efficiently with the rest of Sydney and would provide an opportunity for improved express public transport.