Spit West Reserve: Anger over Beaches Link Tunnel construction site

Mosman’s sports clubs are shocked by a NSW Transport play to turn their public facilities into a Beaches Link Tunnel construction site for four years. Find out how you can help.

Mosman Netball Club president Vicki Albert said the site could impact player numbers.

Mosman Council has raised a string of objections to a proposed construction support site at Spit West Reserve that would be used for four and a half years to support works on the $8 billion Beaches Link Tunnel.

The site would take up 4500 sqm of the park, along with 26,000 sqm of marine area, and be used to support construction of the tunnel crossing at Middle Harbour.

Partially fabricated concrete sections of the tunnel would be completed at The Spit before being transported by tug boats and placed into their final positions.

An overview of the construction site.

Mosman Council said the loss of a “considerable portion” of its reserve could result in “implications” on local sporting clubs including Mosman Netball and the Manly Warringah Football Association.

Mosman Netball Club president Vicki Albert said the site is currently used during the busy summer periods for the club’s up-and-coming Net Fit Go players, aged between five and nine.

She said the club would likely have to find alternative venues if the construction site is given the green light.

The Spit West bike path would also have to be detoured around the site.

“We’ve been using the reserve for about three years now and it’s an extraordinary venue for our younger grassroots players – it's a soft surface so its allows slips and falls.

“Having a construction site where young children are playing nearby would be fraught with danger – not to mention traffic impacts.

“Land is so limited in Mosman and facilities for sports to be able to access are tightly held so to lose any recreation facility is a massive hit to our area.”If we had to move it could mean not being able to take as many players and members.”

The council said there could also be consequences for Mosman Rowers Club which relies on access via Harbour Harbour for its 180 members.

The council has raised concerns over traffic impacts on The Spit Bridge and Military Rd.

There are also concerns over increased traffic congestion on Military Rd and the Spit Bridge with plans showing up to 200 light vehicles and 220 truck movements would be generated from the construction site each day.

In a statement, Transport for NSW said a majority of Spit West Reserve would stay open during construction.

A spokesman said water craft and rowers from Mosman Rowing Club would also have right of way over construction vessels with “safe and controlled navigation channels” in place.

“Strict environmental measures will be in place to minimise impacts to the community, including reducing noise where possible and stabilising and watering any loose dusty material,” he said.

“There will be a small increase in traffic due to our construction work (but) we will use water-based transport where feasible, such as removing spoil by barge rather than taking it out via roads from the park.

“Transport for NSW understands the importance of Spit West Reserve and we’ll continue to work alongside the Council, harbourmaster, local clubs and the community to finalise our plans so Middle Harbour can continue to be enjoyed while Beaches Link is built.”

Plans for the project were released earlier this year and submissions are open until March 1.