Stop Western Harbour Tunnel, Beaches Link: protesters

Schoolchildren and their parents have marched on Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s electorate office at Naremburn and demanded she stop the proposed Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link projects.

• Stern examination for tunnel projects

Schoolchildren and their parents have marched on Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s electorate office at Naremburn and demanded she stop the proposed Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link projects.

Students from schools across the north shore and their parents chanted “stop the tunnel” outside the Willoughby MP’s office and presented staff with a petition of more than 6,000 signatures. They were told Ms Berejiklian was not there.

Tunnel protesters outside the premier’s electorate office. Picture: Steven Deare

Larissa Penn, whose children attend Cammeray Public School, said the tunnels and their construction posed too much risk to the community.

Construction sites are proposed across the north shore, including at Cammeray Golf Course and either the Flat Rock Gully or baseball park at Naremburn.

“Don’t gas kids, Gladys”, read one banner. Picture: Steven Deare

Ms Penn and fellow opponents are concerned about air pollution and the effect on their children’s health.

“We’re looking at risk. We’d be digging through an old asbestos tip,” she said of the Flat Rock sites.

“Six years of construction will affect our kids’ health and worsen congestion.”

The 6.5km, six-lane Western Harbour Tunnel would connect Warringah Freeway to the Rozelle Interchange, while the Beaches Link tunnel would connect Gore Hill and Warringah freeways to the northern beaches.

Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link map. Picture: RMS

She and fellow protesters were also concerned the proposed ventilation stacks would not be filtered.

“We’re asking for the project to be stopped and for viable and sustainable public transport options to be considered,” Ms Penn said.

Alison Taylor, whose children attend Anzac Park Public School at Cammeray, shared those concerns.

She believed the project would cause “massive volumes” of pollution.

“There is no safe limit (of pollution),” she said.

Premier Berejiklian issued a statement.

“We have been listening to the community since releasing the detailed design for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link in July,” she said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is under siege from her Willoughby constituents. Picture: Joel Carrett

“The detailed design is subject to change and I want to assure the community we are committed to minimising disruption while delivering this important project.”

There are two options for a temporary construction site in the area of Flat Rock Drive. One is Flat Rock Gully, the other is the baseball park.

Ms Berejiklian said these options were put forward as they would not impact properties and would keep trucks off local streets.

“At the same time as delivering this project we are improving public transport links, including the B-Line bus rapid service to the Northern Beaches,” Ms Berejiklian said.

Community consultation on the reference design for the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link closes tomorrow. However the public will be able to have their say on later stages.