NSW Budget 2018: Northern beaches tunnel link gets pledge of more than $550m in funding

In what appears to be a win for commuters, more than half a billion dollars has been pledged towards the Western Harbour and Beaches Link Tunnel. Follow manlydaily.com.au for rolling coverage.

The 2018 Budget has revealed that more than $550 million will be spent on planning and research for the Western Harbour and Beaches Link Tunnel.

• NSW Budget 2018: Money set aside for southwest Sydney roads
• NSW Budget 2018: Westmead hospital secures $188m in funding

THE much-anticipated tunnel bypassing Military Rd and The Spit Bridge is a step closer with $556.2 million allocated towards its development over the next four years.

Funding for the Western Harbour Tunnel, Beaches Link connecting the northern beaches to Rozelle via the city was unveiled by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet as part of yesterday’s Budget.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet hands down the state budget at NSW Parliament. Picture: (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

However, it is unclear how much of the $130 million to be spent over the next year will be on the Beaches Link part of the 14km twin-tunnel project.

Manly MP James Griffin, alongside Premier Gladys Berejiklian, promised the tunnel at last year’s Manly by-election. Ms Berejiklian signed a pledge, created by the Sensible Traffic Action Group, to begin work by 2019.

“The NSW Government has committed over half-a-billion dollars for further planning and preconstruction work for the Western Harbour and Beaches Link tunnel,” Mr Griffin said. “With the detailed design of the project due to be released soon, the public will again have their say on the direction of the project.”

The Premier signing a pledge for the northern beaches tunnel last year.

A detailed plan for the tunnel is expected to be released within a month, which would go out for public feedback.

In March the Manly Daily reported that the latest state planning document called for the tunnel to be put on the backburner in favour of other transport projects.

The State Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2038 suggested more focus be put on public transport such as the B-Line and fixing road congestion.

$150 million has been allocated towards the $700m upgraded road network around the Northern Beaches Hospital Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

But Mr Griffin said this showed the government was serious about the tunnel.

“The $556 million, which is in addition to the $77 million already spent on geotechnical work, demonstrates commitment to the project. Labor, on the other hand, have promised to axe the project.”

This year $150 million will be spent on roadworks around the Northern Beaches Hospital.

Just over $1 million will go towards wharf and boating upgrades on the peninsula’s north, including upgrades of Bell Wharf and Carols Wharf in Scotland Island.

About $790,000 will be spent on a shared path along Manly Creek from Campbell Pde to Addiscombe Rd, Manly Vale.

EDUCATION:

Narrabeen North Public will be part of an education precinct.

AS part of $6 billion set aside for school infrastructure, an education precinct is planned for Narrabeen.

It will include Narrabeen Sports High School and Narrabeen North Public School and could incorporate the Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre and the playing fields in Jackson Rd.

Brookvale Public School is set to receive upgrades to its school hall and two new permanent classrooms.

Another $14.4 million will go towards the upgrade of Manly Vale Public School.

TRANSPORT

A B-Line bus on Military Rd at Cremorne. Picture: Troy Snook.

More than $136 million has been set aside this financial year to continue building infrastructure to make the B-Line express bus service from Mona Vale to the CBD more reliable.

The Government has said the total cost of the service will be $512 million.

All construction for the program is expected to be completed in 2019.

There is also funding to improve disabled access at Manly Wharf.

TAFE

CLOSE to $630,000 has been allocated to fix plumbing problems at the Northern Beaches Campus of TAFE at Brookvale.

The work is part of the promised $2.3 million for refurbishment work at the institute in Old Pittwater Rd.

Money has been set aside for changes to Mona Vale Hospital. Picture: Supplied.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

— $3.8m to improve work, health and safety at the Manly Hydraulics Laboratory and Heritage Stoneworks worksites.

— $404 million set aside this year towards the Northern Beaches Hospital completion, Mona Vale Hospital and Community Health

— $150 million towards the $700m upgraded road network around the Northern Beaches Hospital

- $1.3m traffic light upgrades at the corner of Sydney Rd and Condamine St, Balgowlah.

- $1.17m to assist with maintenance of local roads in Pittwater.