Larissa Penn, Tim James: will the NSW government build the Beaches Link Tunnel
It’s one of the most touted pieces of infrastructure ever, that could rescue northern Sydney from traffic gridlock, but amid health and environmental concerns will the Beaches Link be built?
North Shore
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As you follow Larissa Penn through the winding trails of Flat Rock Gully, it’s hard to believe the lush greenery was a tip less than 40 years ago.
There are clues, of course.
The heritage listed Incinerator building – which now houses an art gallery and a cafe with a trendy menu – is still recognisable as the place where generations of waste was sent to burn.
“Sometimes when a tree dies, you’ll see its roots have grown around an old drum or some other bit of rubbish,” Penn explains.
The community fought for the gully and won once before, with the tip ceasing to operate in 1985 and the bushland regenerated.
And now Penn is leading the charge to do it all over again first with community action group Stop the Tunnels and then by standing as independent in the Willoughby by-election with opposition to the Beaches Link project as her key policy platform.
Penn, a quality assurance auditor and risk assessor, is concerned excavation in the area could lead to the currently well sealed landfill contaminating the environment and even posing a risk to public health.
Then there’s the potential impact the Cammeray to Balgowlah tunnel could have on Middle Harbour and its sensitive wildlife which is known to include whales and penguins.
Not to mention the contentious exhaust stacks which are located close to multiple schools and daycare centres.
“It’s not NIMBYism. This project is very heavy on environmental impact on social impact and on our kids. The benefits just don’t stack up,” Penn said.
Stop the Tunnels has been inundated with expert volunteers willing to forensically comb through any future documents made publicly available by government in relation to the projects – just as they did with the thousands of pages-long Environmental Impact Statements.
“Willoughby is home to one of the highest numbers of people working in the science and technology fields. We have had so many extremely qualified people come forward and lend their expertise,” Penn said.
Penn may have lost the battle in the by-election but with a 17.7 per cent swing against Gladys Berejiklian’s successor Tim James, could she have won the war?
It’s undeniable the population of North Sydney is rapidly expanding and congestion, most notably on Military Road, is becoming more apparent as the world returns to pre-Covid commuting.
The rationale behind the Beaches Link project, which is separate to but in many ways linked to the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade, is to provide a motorway link between the northern beaches and greater Sydney.
While work has already started on the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway projects, the Beaches Link will be the final piece of the puzzle not due for completion until 2028.
Mosman council deputy mayor Simon Menzies said there was enormous support for the tunnel – particularly in Mosman, Cremorne and Neutral Bay.
“It will bypass the Military/Spit Road corridor which is well beyond its capacity. This project will obviously benefit those on the northern beaches because of the shorter time to the city but it’s equally important to us,” Cr Menzies said.
“Locals don’t even drive on Military Road anymore because it is so congested and that leads to congestion on our other local roads.
“The tunnel an absolutely must do project. It’s nonsensical that people at the exit points would have so much say they can bring a vital infrastructure project to its knees.
“There’s hundreds of thousands of people who would benefit and a relatively small group of people not willing to agree for the greater good.”
Cr Menzies put a motion before council this week calling on the state government to delay housing targets until the tunnel was built.
“If they want to delay the tunnel the state government should not be enforcing the housing targets,” Cr Menzies said.
“The tunnel is a generation overdue. Our roads don’t meet the current needs now and planning to increase our population will make the situation far worse.”
With all these factors in mind, the new Liberal member for Willoughby certainly isn’t championing the tunnel but nor does he seek to oppose it.
“As I said during the campaign, I come to the tunnel issue with fresh eyes and open ears,” James said.
“I heed the messages, views and concerns raised with me during the by-election. I want to be sure that the needs, interests and safety of our local community are always met.
“The Beaches Link Tunnel project is some years away yet and I am listening carefully to all views and options for improvement.
“I have heard concerns about the process and management of construction works and local effects, among others. These need due attention and strong representation within government.
“I will continue to consult with people across our local community, will hear and respond to the range of views that exist, both for and against the project or elements of the project, and will stand up for Willoughby’s interests on this issue.”
James, who was only sworn in on March 22, said he’d already started work on his investigations into the project.
“I have commenced discussions within government, including with the Premier and Ministers, to uphold my commitment to the Willoughby community,” he said.
“The Premier has acknowledged community concerns about the project, said they will be looked into and has spoken of the need to bring the community with us with such major infrastructure projects.
“I will keep the community informed as we make progress on this important local issue.”
Planning Minister Anthony Roberts is responsible for approving the project with a decision initially slated to be made early this year.
A spokesman for the Department of Planning and Environment explained the current status of the process.
“We’re currently waiting for further information from Transport for NSW (TfNSW) before we can finalise our assessment, which will consider all submissions received and TfNSW’s response,” the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, new Metropolitan Roads Minister Natalie Ward told the Manly Daily in February the project was still on the agenda.
“The NSW Government is committed to the Beaches Link,” Ms Ward, a northern beaches resident, said.
In January, North Sydney council unanimously passed a motion to “reinstate its strong opposition to the (Western Harbour Tunnel/Northern Beaches Link projects due to the devastating impacts of the proposed projects on the North Sydney Local Government Area and the absence of any public benefit to be gained from the projects”.
An extensive list of reasons noted in the motion included “the lack of meaningful community consultation”, “the lack of filtering in the proposed exhaust stacks” and “significant adverse impacts on public health and wellbeing, particularly on schools, schoolchildren and residents”.
Councillors also resolved to “continue and escalate the current campaign” against the projects.
In February, this took the form of the Save Cammeray Park Children’s Artwork Competition organised by the Save Our Parks Alliance which is comprised of North Sydney Council Precinct groups and the Anzac Park and Cammeray Public Schools P and C Associations.
Under the current proposals for the three projects, a worksite would occupy a significant chunk of the parklands.
Mayor Baker said on top of losing green space and environmental and public health concerns, with hefty tolls for those choosing to use the proposed tunnels, the projects were likely to increase rather than relieve pressure on local roads.
“All of the burden and none of the benefits will be delivered to the North Sydney local government area,” Mayor Baker said.
Mayor Baker, an independent, said she was hopeful the Willoughby by-election swing had delivered a message to state government to consider other options to tackle congestion including the potential for a Sydney Metro extension.
“I would hope they would instead look at options that link Dee Why to Chatswood that are based around public transport and sustainable transport options,” she said.
With less than 12 months until the NSW state general election, Penn still hasn’t decided if she will take another tilt.
“I want to give Tim a chance, let’s see what he does,” Penn said.
And what exactly does she hope that will be?
“Cancel the project,” Penn said.
“Think big, or go home.”
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