North shore residents claim inner west given ‘preferential treatment’ over plans for bike paths, parkland

New bike lanes and walking tracks are set to be built as part of Sydney’s newest tunnel project. But north shore locals say they’re being ‘short changed’ in comparison to facilities being built on the other side of the harbour.

New plans have revealed new bike paths and walking tracks for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade.

North shore residents have accused the NSW Government of giving “preferential treatment” to residents of the inner west as sparks fly over new plans for Sydney’s next motorway tunnel.

A ‘place and design’ report released by Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has detailed a range of community facilities set to be created as part of construction works on the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade.

On the north shore, the report has shown a range of community facilities that will be built along the motorway corridor including new bike paths, walking tracks and dedicated bus lanes.

The $7.4bn tunnel is currently under construction and once complete will connect motorists from the Rozelle Interchange in the inner west to the Warringah Freeway corridor on the north shore.

But the report has ruffled feathers among north shore residents groups – saying the community facilities promised on the northern side of the harbour pale in comparison to those being built on the other side of the harbour for the WestConnex project in Rozelle.

A concept image of the new facilities planned for the tunnel on the north shore.

A concept image of the facilities of the north shore.

In Rozelle, TfNSW has created 10ha of new public parkland – similar in size to Victoria Park near Sydney University – which will boast facilities including wetlands, a boardwalk, picnic and BBQ areas, play equipment and green fields for leisure activities.

Paul Walter, who chairs a local North Sydney community group, said residents on north shore were being “short changed”

A concept image of the new bike and walking track planned for the north shore.

An artist impression of the Rozelle Interchange parklands. Picture: NSW Government

“There’s 10ha of parkland in Rozelle – much of it being built over motorways – and they have fabulous new parkland but on the north shore we’re getting a bicycle path and a bus lane,” he said. “We’re got short changed, I think because we’re so polite.

“The tunnel is going to have a major impact on our community and we should be compensated.”

Mr Walter said the place and design report had failed to appease local concerns over the tunnel’s impact on local parks and green space – including the permanent loss of open space at the Cammeray Golf Club site.

Local residents and councillors have previously lobbied for an elevated park to be created over the Warringah Freeway to offset the loss of green space – similar to the parkland being created in Rozelle.

Pedestrian crossings will be built as part of the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade.

A concept image of the works.

However the place and design report makes no reference to the proposal.

The design report shows the bulk of works on the north shore will centre on around 4km of the freeway between the northern end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Willoughby Rd overpass.

The works include 2.5km of new and upgraded walking and cycling routes, landscaping works, and the provision of a new dedicated southbound bus lane from Miller St onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

There will also be three ‘active transport’ bridges crossing the Warringah Freeway including a connection linking the Cammeray Golf Course site with ANZAC Park.

The new dedicated bicycle path will be built along the eastern side of the Warringah Freeway between Miller St at Cammeray and Ernest St.

New plans have been released for the Western Tunnel Harbour project.

The works include new bike and pedestrian paths.

A TfNSW spokesman said the project would improve amenities on the north shore.

“The 10ha disused Rozelle Railyards, which had not been used for decades, presented a unique opportunity for Transport to create a new parkland using mainly government-owned land on the doorstep to the Sydney CBD as a part of the Rozelle Interchange project,” he said.

“No equivalent site exists on the north shore.

“Transport for NSW has committed to improving amenities and green space in the local area as part of the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade projects.

A photo of the views from the new bike and walking track on the north shore.

Some residents on the north shore are not happy with the plans.

“As part of (the project) the Berrys Bay foreshore will be revitalised and returned as a community space, with improved foreshore access, additional trees and green space for the community to enjoy.”

Plans state the works would support the integration of the new tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade with the existing road network.

“It will be a corridor that is linked to the surrounding landscape, focused on the user experience and the creation of vibrant and connected experiences,” the plans stated.

“It will be a place of historic interpretation, providing journeys of delight and interest and moments that are memorable, dynamic and engaging.”

The plan is currently open for public feedback.