Jason Falinski MP calls out NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet over Beaches Link tunnel
Federal MP Jason Falinski has raised concerns about the new NSW Premier’s commitment to the proposed $14b Beaches Link tunnel, as Dominic Perrottet says he has other priorities.
Manly
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Federal MP Jason Falinski says the “greatest victims of ICAC” could be northern beaches residents if the promised Beaches Link tunnel does not happen, as he hit out at the new NSW Premier’s lacklustre commitment to the project.
It follows Mr Perrottet’s comment yesterday on whether the $14 billion tunnel will definitely go ahead.
He said it was in the “pipeline of projects that we’ve committed to” but that it was “not unusual for governments from time to time to move things in and out, push things back, bring things forward, based on the circumstances we find ourselves in.”
It’s a far cry from just two years ago when Mr Perrottet, as NSW treasurer, was supporting former Warringah MP Tony Abbott on the election trail.
In a video on Mr Abbott’s Twitter feed, posted in 2019, Mr Perrottet sounded far more committed to the project, saying only a Liberal government could deliver the tunnel infrastructure needed, “which will make a big difference to the people of Warringah”.
When asked by the Manly Daily why he won’t commit to the tunnel, his spokesman said “right now our focus is on jobs and families as we re-open safely and provide the support our small businesses need so they can bounce back after enduring an extraordinarily difficult two years.”
He said the most recent Budget allocated $454 million to the Western Harbour Tunnel, Beaches Link program and Warringah Freeway upgrade for the 2021-22 financial year, and $6.3 billion over four years.
“The Beaches Link EIS is currently out on display and feedback from this consultation will be taken into account to ensure we make the decision that delivers the best outcome for the people of NSW,” Mr Perrottet’s spokesman said.
Mr Falinski said former Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who resigned after she was called up by the corruption watchdog, should have pushed the project through while she had the chance.
“The greatest victims of ICAC could be the people of the northern beaches,” Mr Falinski said, in reference to the fact that if Ms Berejiklian was still Premier there would be no issue over the Government’s commitment to the tunnel.
He said Labor had made it clear it would scrap the tunnel if elected and the money allocated to the project diverted to Western Sydney instead.
At the time Mr Perrottet took the top NSW job there were rumours he would do the same.
One Liberal source said some members of the party are convinced the tunnel won’t happen.
“I’m really angry about it,” said Mr Falinski, on the lack of a firm commitment to the project.
“I’m angry we are being used as pawns in a political game.”
He said the tunnel is “not something we desire, it’s something we need”.
“It’s the bare minimum of what we need,” he said.
“We also need a metro on the northern beaches that goes to Beacon Hill.”
He cited findings by Infrastructure Australia, an independent body, which found that traffic along the A8 corridor from Mona Vale to Seaforth was so bad it had put the route on Australia’s priority list for improvements.
Mr Falinski added that the other main access to the northern beaches, Warringah Rd, was the third most congested road in the country.
He said last month Pittwater MP Rob Stokes, now in charge of transport and planning, had assured everyone the NSW Government was committed to the tunnel.
However, Mr Perrottet has not made a clear statement on the issue since becoming Premier.
Sources say Mr Perrottet’s reluctance could stem from the fact that as a former Treasurer “his inclination is to count every dollar”.
The tunnel made the news this week following the release of the preferred infrastructure report.
James Griffin, MP for Manly, said nothing made him think the tunnel won’t proceed.
He added a contract had been signed and work had begun on the upgrade of Warringah Freeway, which will connect the proposed Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link.
“The process to seek planning approval for the tunnel is underway,” he said.
Mr Stokes said everything was progressing as normal like it would for any big infrastructure project.
He said the next stage was for the expenditure committee to review the costs and benefits of the project and for a final decision on the planning side of things.
Both decisions are expected in the next few months.
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