Beaches Link: Twists in design for proposed Sydney tunnel toll road

Design tweaks have been made to a proposed — and contentious — underground tollway after negative feedback from the public.

The design of the proposed twin tunnel toll road to the northern beaches has been tweaked after the NSW Government received more than 1500 submissions from the public.

Negative feedback on the Beaches Link environmental impact statement — released 11 months ago — means that some plants and animals will be better protected, mountain bike trails will be preserved and some pedestrian routes will be improved.

But critics of the underground expressway said the Beaches Link Submissions Report, released on Tuesday by Transport for NSW was simply a “rubber stamp” which did little to address major concerns such as traffic congestion on suburban roads; air pollution near homes from exhaust extraction stacks and; potential pollution in Middle Harbour during tunnel construction.

The Manly Daily reported in March that about 90 per cent of submissions objected to the toll road — connecting the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray and the Gore Hill Freeway at Artarmon to the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation at Balgowlah and the Wakehurst Parkway at Seaforth.

An artist's impression of the upgraded Wakehurst Parkway at Seaforth, as part of Beaches Link, showing the exhaust extraction stacks. Picture: Transport for NSW

There were complaints that the Link would also attract more cars and people into the northern beaches; cause noise and vibrations during construction and; potentially damage bushland and reduce water in locals creeks.

Only a few dozen submissions expressed support for the project the NSW Government promised would ease local traffic congestion and slash travel times to the rest of Sydney.

On Wednesday Transport for NSW said feedback on the EIS helped it “understand key impacts and ensure that they are addressed well before construction begins, so the best outcomes are delivered for the community and environment”.

The 14 volumes of the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection environmental impact statement the public had to wade through as part of the public submission process that ended on March 1. Picture: Terrey le Roux

The report stated that mountain bike trails could be impacted by improving Wakehurst Parkway from two to four lanes between Seaforth and Frenchs Forest.

They include Possum Trail, Fatback, Jumping Jack, North Trail, Trig Track, Olive Oyl, Popeye and Cuffs.

“Where possible, during further design development Transport for NSW would refine the design of the project and seek to avoid or otherwise minimise impacts to the mountain bike trail network,” it stated.

“Where impacts cannot be avoided, minor detour routes would be implemented including some staging of trail adjustments to align with construction staging of the Wakehurst Parkway upgrade works.”

An artist’s impression of upgrade work and a shared path on Wakehurst Parkway, part of Beaches Link. A number of mountain bike trails will be affected by the road upgrade. Picture: NSW Government.

Ramps leading to a proposed new 100m long curving pedestrian/cycling bridge over the Wakehurst Parkway at Frenchs Forest, about 350m south of Warringah Rd, which connects Aquatic Dr with Fitzpatrick Av, will be realigned.

The site of the new ramps will provide a more direct route to the New Forest High School to be built at Allambie Heights, at the northern end of Aquatic Dr, and to the Warringah Aquatic Centre.

Underground and rope bridge fauna crossings will be relocated or redesigned in an effort to attract more local species, including the red-crowned toadlet, eastern pygmy possum, swamp wallaby and sugar glider, to safely cross Wakehurst Parkway.

“We appreciate how important the local environment, open space and active transport are to the community and the public’s feedback has helped shape design changes which will provide better outcomes and further reduce impacts on pedestrians, bicycle users, local sporting groups and the community,” a TfNSW spokesman said.

An artist’s impression of new recreation space at Balgowlah, created by the construction of Beaches Link. Picture: NSW Government.

“Transport for NSW will continue to work closely with stakeholders and the community, as we strive to get the Beaches Link project right every step of the way,” a Transport for NSW spokesperson said.

Balgowlah Residents Group spokeswoman Nerissa Levy said issues such as traffic volumes and patterns had been summarily dismissed by TfNSW.

“Our major concerns is that this process is an exercise in rubber stamping without actually addressing the problems.

Critics say the design changes that came after the Submissions Report on the Beaches Link did not go far enough. Picture: Supplied

“There will be still issues to address that have not been adequately covered.

“Certainly the EIS was inadequate for some of the environmental factors such as the water table draw down through Seaforth.

“And there are concerns that this part of the process does not have any form of community consultation.”

TfNSW said it would “continue to work closely with stakeholders and the community, as we strive to get the Beaches Link project right every step of the way”.

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