Council condemns NSW government for discriminating against northern beaches with funding and infrastructure cuts

The northern beaches is being discriminated against by the NSW Labor government through its decisions to slash community funding and halt vital infrastructure projects, the council says.

An artist’s impression of what the area around Balgowlah would have looked like if the Beaches Link tunnels were not canned. Picture: NSW Government.

Northern Beaches Council has slammed the Labor state government for attacking, neglecting and discriminating against the area.

It has accused Premier Chris Minns’ administration of stripping community funding, halting vital infrastructure projects and forcing future increased housing development density on the council.

As part of a notice of motion, submitted by independent councillor Vincent De Luca, the council has voted to condemn the government for “its unfair attacks, neglect and funding cuts on the northern beaches”.

In his detailed motion Cr De Luca listed a series of government decisions that he said would seriously affect locals.

Northern Beaches Hospital at Frenchs Forest was highlighted as a service that has been affected by funding and staff issues. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

They included a decision to defer the $340 million upgrade of Mona Vale Rd, between Terrey Hills and Ingleside, for two years; the abandonment of the proposed Beaches Link tunnels to the Lower North Shore; reduction in public bus services and, reduced funding and staff cuts — especially for mental health services — at Northern Beaches Hospital.

Cr De Luca told the latest council meeting that locals would also be hit by a possible introduction of vehicle toll charges in both directions for crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge and using the Harbour Tunnel.

An artist's impression of the fauna overpass at Ingleside that was to be built over the proposed $340m Mona Vale Road (west) upgrade that was deferred by the Labor NSW Government. Picture: Transport for NSW

He also mentioned delays in upgrading Balgowlah Boys High School and a failure to commit to future funding for the Dalwood Spilstead Services, a charity at Seaforth that provided health, education and support services for vulnerable families.

“Never before, have I seen so much money taken out of the northern beaches,” Cr De Luca said. “And never before, have I seen major projects, aimed at safety, that is, the Mona Vale Rd work, where money has been taken.

Northern Beaches Councillor Vincent De Luca. Picture: Supplied

“We’re neglected and it’s time to stop discriminating against us.

“What this is doing, is standing up for the residents of the northern beaches and saying ‘enough is enough’.”

Cr De Luca also took at swipe at the Premier for accusing the northern beaches of “NIMBYism” (Not In My Back Yard), for pushing back against inappropriate housing development when there was no adequate community infrastructure in place.

Funding is up in the air for the Dalwood Spilstead Services at Seaforth. Picture: Braden Fastier

Liberal councillor Karina Page agreed that the detailed list if issues highlighted a “pattern of neglect and unfair treatment our community is enduring”.

The council voted 6-5 — three councillors were absent for the vote — to condemn the government for its “unfair attacks, neglect and funding cuts” and to write to the Premier “calling on him to show fairness and restore funding, services and infrastructure to the northern beaches”.

In response to halting infrastructure projects and reviewing spending, the Premier’s office said since being elected, the government had been upfront about the economic challenges inherited from the previous Coalition government.

“They handed us the largest debt in our state’s history, with NSW on track for a record $187.5 billion in debt and a $7 billion budget black hole of unfunded projects,” a spokesman said.

“This means the government has made careful decisions to ensure taxpayer money is spend responsibly and based on need.”

On increased Harbour Bridge and Tunnel tolls, the Premier’s office said the government was still considering the recommendations of “the final toll report”.

“Years of privatisation by the former government has meant the toll burden disproportionately affects Western Sydney drivers who have copped quarterly toll increases every year whilst there has been no increase on the Harbour Bridge for 10 years,” the spokesman said.

The Premier’s office also reiterated there was a “housing crisis in NSW”.

“We all have a shared responsibility to provide solutions so that more homes are available for those who need it, regardless of suburb.”