Northern beaches tunnel vision becoming hazy as Minister rules out any major announcements this year

THERE appears to be no light at the end of the proposed northern beaches tunnel with an expected announcement ruled out by Roads Minister Duncan Gay until at least next year.

NSW Premier Mike Baird with Roads Minister Duncan Gay. Picture: Mark Evans.

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THERE appears to be no light at the end of the proposed northern beaches tunnel with an expected announcement ruled out by Roads Minister Duncan Gay until at least next year.

The Mosman bypass has been a perpetual election promise billed as the solution to the peninsula’s gridlock problems.

And former PM Tony Abbott, after reclaiming his Warringah seat on July 2, told voters he was, “very confident that we’re going to hear more from the State Government before the end of the year”.

Will there be a northern beaches tunnel?

But at last week’s budget estimates inquiries, Mr Gay was asked by Labor MLC Daniel Mookhey if an announcement would be given by year’s end.

“Not that I am aware of,” Mr Gay responded.

Labor MLC for the northern beaches Greg Donnelly slammed the process as “shambolic”.

“This shows that when it comes to infrastructure, the Liberals are making it up as they go along,” he said. “We’ve seen that with WestConnex, where the budget’s blown out by $7 billion.

“We are seeing the same confusion with the … Tunnel. Tony Abbott says one thing, and the Baird Government says another.”

But Mr Baird, who was yesterday discussing plans to hasten upgrades to Appin Rd, in Sydney’s southwest, assured peninsula residents that the tunnel was on track.

“These projects form part of the State Infrastructure Strategy. The Government continues to carry out the early work needed as part of the first stage,” he said.

In July Mr Abbott said: “(I’ll) work with Mike Baird to make sure we get the road tunnel under Mosman.”

Mr Gay has since strengthened his stance telling the Manly Daily: “Planning and development work for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link is being carried out to finalise the route, capacity and traffic numbers for a future connection,” he said.

“More than $17 million was allocated for the ongoing work as part of this year’s budget.”