Beaches Link tunnels still a goer says new Metro Roads Minister

The new NSW roads minister has “committed” the government to Beaches Link as speculation rises the toll road tunnel might be put on the backburner.

The latest minister responsible for roads has unequivocally stated that the NSW Government “is committed” to building the underground toll road to the northern beaches.

Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward was answering an inquiry about media reports on speculation within government that the Beaches Link might be “reprioritised”.

But the Manly Daily has been told that the government expects official planning approval for the twin tunnels will be issued by the Planning and Environment Department by the middle of this year.

Artist's impression of the Beaches Link tunnel, which is still being assessed for planning approval. Picture: Transport for NSW

While planning approval may be given, it doe not mean that the government will immediately press the start button on the project that has split community opinion on the northern beaches.

Speculation arose that Beaches Link, promised by the Coalition Government at the last two state elections, might be put on the back burner after the Government’s poor showing in the recent Willoughby by-election.

There was a swing of voters towards independent candidate Larissa Penn, who led a grassroots campaign against the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, and the perceived health impacts on children from unfiltered exhaust stacks.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward have both said the government wants Beaches Link. Picture: Toby Zerna

It had been reported that Premier Dominic Perrottet was not a strong supporter of beaches Link, even as Treasurer, which the government said will slash travel times to the city, airport and areas such as Macquarie Park.

Labor has already committed to scrapping the link should it win government at the March 2023 state election.

Rumours were swirling in November last year that the then newly sworn in premier was considering ditching the expensive Beaches Link and ploughing the money into Western Sydney instead.

The Beaches Link and Western Harbour Tunnel routes. Picture: Transport for NSW

They came after the chairman of the lobby group, a Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue, Christopher Brown issued a plea to Mr Perrottet, calling to spearhead Western Sydney’s recovery by ditching the Beaches Link toll road for a new Metro rail line between Hurstville, Bankstown, Parramatta and The Hills.

Mr Perrottet said just after the poor Willoughby by-election result that on February 14 that he noted community concerns about the impact of the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link projects.

“We’ll look into it, how we can mitigate disruption, minimise disruption, but get these projects going.” the Premier said.

And Ms ward, who lives on the northern beaches, told the Manly daily this week: “The NSW Government is committed to the Beaches Link.”

Terry le Roux, of the Balgowlah Residents Group, opposed to Beaches Link, said the government would not be able to justify spending billions of dollars on easing traffic congestion.

“The pandemic has changed everything,” Mr le Roux said. “People are going to work smarter.

“If they need to go into the city, they won’t have to travel at peak times.”

The proposed toll road is currently being assessed by the Planning Department after a “Response to (EIS) Submissions Report” and a “Preferred Infrastructure Report” were lodged in November.