Premier Gladys Berejiklian sticks to Mike Baird’s promise to build a tunnel bypassing the Spit Bridge
PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has made a commitment to our billion-dollar road, tunnel and hospital projects in a bid to ensure beaches residents they will not be neglected under her government.
Manly
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PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian has made a commitment to our billion-dollar road, tunnel and hospital projects in a bid to reassure peninsula residents that they will not be neglected under her government.
Ms Berejiklian, who was born in Manly Hospital and grew up on the peninsula, said despite the resignation of Manly MP Mike Baird from the premiership, locals could expect the same level of dedication.
In an exclusive interview with the Manly Daily, the premier outlined her priorities, including the State Government taking more control of the ageing Lottoland oval upgrade and a guarantee that the Manly Hospital’s grounds would remain a health facility rather than being sold off to residential developers.
“They (residents) have still got the premier — I was born in Manly Hospital,” said Ms Berejiklian.
“So I always jibe Mike about that. I used to tell him you are the member for Manly, but I was born in Manly.”
With a by-election looming, Ms Berejiklian has committed to meeting all promises made to the region by Mr Baird — including the Beaches Link tunnel bypassing the Spit Bridge.
“They will all happen,” she said.
“People shouldn’t feel worried that because Mike is not here, the area won’t get attention. I will make sure the community receives everything it needs.”
Ms Berejiklian was joined by Mr Baird at West Esplanade Reserve as a show of faith in the new premier.
“I can put my hand on my heart and tell every single person in Manly that they have an outstanding premier in Gladys,” he said.
“Part of the reason I was so comfortable in my decision to leave was knowing there was someone who was even better that is going to be premier and that is Gladys.”
While Ms Berejiklian said a lot had been achieved, including the start of the B-Line rollout and construction of the Northern Beaches Hospital, she acknowledged the job was ongoing.
“There is so much more to do,” she said. “There is no doubt the traffic and transport is a hot issue. As a government we have done a lot in that area and we will continue to do so.”
THE TUNNEL
A TUNNEL connecting Manly Vale to Warringah Freeway was first mooted by the Liberal Party in 2002 and it has been used as an election promise ever since.
Last week Davidson state Liberal MP Jonathan O’Dea broke ranks, calling on his own government to immediately start the construction of the $3 billion tunnel.
When pressed, Ms Berejiklian was scant on details and timelines, saying, “watch this space”.
“I am not going to give anything away at this stage, but I will say, what Mike has achieved on behalf of the team and as the leader of our team is we are in such a strong financial position,” she said.
“We are very well across what the community needs and we will make sure every commitment we made will come to fruition.”
But Mr Baird said yesterday the plan had always been to have a tunnel bypassing the Spit Bridge.
“It (the B-Line) is completed with the tunnel — that is part of the long-term plan,” he said. “The question is how quickly that can be done.”
B-LINE
THE premier acknowledged the $600 million B-Line would need infrastructure improvements to be cost-effective.
The Manly Daily uncovered a pre-feasibility assessment of the B-Line, then called BRT, from 2012, when Ms Berejiklian was transport minister.
It argued that benefits would not be worth the expenditure of the what was then estimated as a $336 million plan. It said significant infrastructure upgrades, like a bus tunnel or widening of the Spit Bridge, would be needed.
The plan now known as the Beaches Link tunnel was also ruled out as too expensive in the report.
When asked about the report, Ms Berejiklian said: “There’s no doubt (it) will be a very effective piece of infrastructure, but you are right, it will be better if there is other things with it. That is what we are doing — we are looking at an integrated response and we have always said that.
“We said that the B-Line wasn’t going to solve all of the problems, but it will go a long way towards giving people options.”
MANLY HOSPITAL
THE future of the Manly Hospital site is safe, with Ms Berejiklian saying it would remain as a health facility in some format when the Northern Beaches Hospital opens.
Mr Baird’s wishes were for at least part of the site to be turned into a Big Bear Cottage — hospice care for young adults when they turn 18 and can no longer go to the existing Bear Cottage.
“I think the community would like to have it as somewhere people can still go and visit,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“There will be various options put up there, but I believe the site is a beautiful place and the community would like to see an appropriate use of that site. We will make sure there is an appropriate use of that site.”
LOTTOLAND
NORTHERN Beaches Council has called on the State Government to take the reigns of Lottoland, saying it is too expensive for a council budget to maintain.
And Ms Berejiklian, a Sea Eagles fan, said she was open to the idea.
“I think they have got a point,” she said. “I think all levels of government need to work together and look at that site.”
However, she wasn’t too keen on the name change to the stadium formerly known as Brookvale Oval.
“I reckon the locals will still call it Brookie,” Ms Berejiklian quipped.
While she stopped short of criticising the state of the Fortress, Ms Berejiklian said: “There is always room for improvement, let’s just say that.”
EAST-WEST TRANSPORT
THE premier did not rule out an east-west extension of the B-Line, but said it was in the long-term planning.
Mr Baird added: “It is being future-proofed, so that the grade separation at Wakehurst Parkway, Warringah Rd and the hospital — there is a capacity there for the east-west. The numbers don’t support it at this stage, but there will be enhanced public transport as part of the hospital east to west.”
GLADYS REVEALS HER HISTORY IN MANLY
THE business savvy and work ethic of Gladys Berejiklian developed from an early age when, as a young girl, she used to run jewellery repairs up and down the The Corso for her uncle.
Kevin Boghossian owned a Karoun Jewellers on West Esplanade.
It was later demolished to make way for the Grand Esplanade.
“He repaired watches for the watchmaker on the Corso,” Ms Berejiklian said. “I used to run up and down the Corso all day taking watches back and forth.
“When I come to Manly I just remember my childhood. I was born in Manly Hospital, I pretty much grew up in my grandmother’s house until my parents bought their own home.
“This is where we spent all of our school holidays, all of our weekends — even growing up we spent extended periods of time here.
“So even now, it really evokes positive memories of my childhood — even learning to swim at the beach, not very well, but trying to learn.”
Ms Berejiklian told the Manly Daily she believed she could relate to voters on the peninsula because of her connection with the area.
“I understand what the area means for the people that live here and what I love about the community is even though a lot has changed, a lot hasn’t changed, so you still have the same feeling when you come here,” she said.
“People here don’t want to see a lot of change. They want to see improved services, but they don’t want to see their area change, because it is wonderful the way it is.”
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