Mosman councillors demand update on Northern Beaches Link tunnel from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian while slamming B-Line plans from RMS, Transport for NSW

MOSMAN councillors have blasted the B-Line plans, which will only benefit the northern beaches, and have renewed calls for the Northern Beaches Link tunnel.

Traffic congestion on the Spit Bridge during the morning peak hour. Picture: Braden Fastier

• Doubt over Northern Beaches Link tunnel
• Call for cyclists ban over safety with B-Line

MOSMAN Council will ask Premier Gladys Berejiklian for an update on the long-promised Northern Beaches Link tunnel, despite the issue amusing some public servants.

The council will argue that the tunnel, not the B-Line, is a “necessary solution” to fix the region’s traffic problems, in a submission to B-Line authorities.

The Liberal member for Davidson on the northern beaches, Jonathan O’Dea, also demanded a clear commitment from the State Government to build the tunnel, when he spoke in NSW Parliament on Tuesday this week.

“The NRMA has stated the Middle Harbour tunnel should be accelerated and shovel-ready as soon as possible. I agree,” Mr O’Dea said.

Morning peak hour traffic on The Spit Bridge towards Mosman.

The State Budget includes $17.6 million for further planning for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Northern Beaches Link.

NSW Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said early investigations were already underway.

The cost of a Spit Bridge bypass tunnel has been estimated between $2 billion and $3.1 billion.

Mosman councillors raised the tunnel proposal during a meeting with B-Line representatives from Transport for NSW and Roads and Maritime Services on February 2.

“We asked them, ‘When is the tunnel going through?’ and they laughed,” councillor Libby Moline said during a council meeting last week.

Mosman councillor Libby Moline. Picture: Annika Enderborg

Cr Moline also said councillors “nearly fell over” in the B-Line meeting when they asked and were told how much the Government paid for the old Spit Junction cinema site: $25 million.

The B-Line plans include a new city-bound indented bus bay and bus stop on the site.

The council wants the M30 bus service to share the site, instead of harming businesses with the planned permanent M30 layover in Military Rd.

The council continues to meet transport authorities to discuss the B-Line plans.

The proposed rapid bus system will aim to provide more frequent and reliable services between the northern beaches and Sydney CBD from late 2017.

Mosman deputy mayor Roy Bendall. Picture: Annika Enderborg

Deputy mayor Roy Bendall called the B-Line “a dog’s breakfast” in last week’s council meeting.

“As our motion shows the real solution to all of this, which has been promised to us for over 20 years, is the tunnel,” he said.

“I really object to how this whole thing has been thrust upon us.

“I believe the State Government has gone compulsory acquisition mad.

“This whole project is to the detriment of our community to provide amenity to the northern beaches.”

Mosman councillor Simon Menzies in the middle of Spit Junction traffic. Picture: Phil Rogers

After the meeting, Cr Simon Menzies said the Government was building tunnels in marginal electorates, but was “all talk and no action” on such major infrastructure in safe, blue ribbon Liberal seats like the North Shore.

“I feel like ‘B’ stands for booby prize, because that’s what the lower north shore is receiving,” he said.

“We need a tunnel but we are getting a double-decker bus and a few bus lanes; it’s only a Band-Aid solution to the problem.

“The reason the Government has so much money at the moment to build tunnels is because they are flush with money from land tax and stamp duty which has come from the increase in property prices, of which the lower north shore and northern beaches collectively contribute more than anywhere else in NSW.

“So they get money from us and spend it in Labor seats hoping to get votes.”

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