Manly MP James Griffin says detailed design on Beaches Link Tunnel to be released mid-year
PLANS for a Beaches Link tunnel will become clearer by July, according to Manly state MP James Griffin, who used his first anniversary in office to dispel rumours about the project’s demise.
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PLANS for a Beaches Link tunnel will become clearer by July, according to Manly state MP James Griffin, who used his first anniversary in office to dispel rumours about the project’s demise.
Despite the state’s peak infrastructure body reccomending the tunnel — an election promise of Mr Griffin — be put on the backburner, he said there was “uniform commitment” in the government to get the job done.
“The Roads and Maritime Services and the government have always had a date of the middle of the year to come out with the detailed design,” he said. “We are working towards that, there is no change whatsoever in our timeline towards announcing that design and I think from that people will see that this government is serious about getting this project done.”
Last month theManly Daily revealed that the State Infrastructure Strategy to 2038 said the tunnel needed “to be weighed carefully against other potential government sector investments”.
Mr Griffin said: “I respect their position but this project sits within a number of different policy directions on transport and connectivity across NSW, and I think the Roads Minister and Premier have made it clear that this is something we have got to get done.”
He also pointed to the $62 million secured to install digesters at the North Head Waste Water treatment plant as a major success. A number of his promises made around the election are incomplete.
“I wouldn’t point to any single failure but something that I am really pushing is a level of transparency that I think people want from politicians,” Mr Griffin said.
“I have been really frank, letting people know this is what I said I would do and this is where it is up to.
“It is not all delivered. I haven’t managed to do everything and I have been really up front, by saying that this is the policy I have implemented or it is ongoing or the concept is under way.”
He said he believed Manly Vale Public School would have no net loss of trees, as previously promised, when it was complete. Another promise was to obtain funds to clean up Curl Curl Lagoon.
“The petition which I have been running closes shortly, I have made two submissions to the Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton and I am pretty confident we are getting close,” he said.
And a promise to help people work and live in his electorate was under way.
“The council has put forward its vision for Brookvale and as part of that I have developed a policy around an advanced manufacturing and jobs hub,” he said.
Mr Griffin also pointed to better transport provided by increased buses and the Manly to Barangaroo ferry allowing people better flexibility around working hours.
