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Willoughby Electorate Road Infrastructure Projects

Published on: October 2022

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-128695

Willoughby Electorate Road Infrastructure Projects

Mr TIM JAMES (Willoughby) (18:11:18):

I speak about the Western Harbour Tunnel, the Warringah Freeway upgrade and the Beaches Link tunnel projects, and record my strong views, which are shared by the Willoughby community, on the need to make changes to aspects of those projects. When I asked the people of Willoughby to place their trust in me I promised I would listen, learn and prosecute their concerns about the tunnel projects, among other issues. I have since listened and consulted widely with the community. It is clear that a considerable portion of the Willoughby community disagrees with parts of the projects in their present form. I share those concerns. It is the duty of a local member to stand up for their community and be a vocal advocate of the community's views to government. This is what I have been doing, and will always do.

The Willoughby community and I cannot support the Beaches Link in its current form. This is not about us opposing a project to minimise our personal inconvenience, but rather a community with real and valid concerns in relation to major infrastructure and expenditure. I have advocated for the Beaches Link to be put on hold to give more time to consult, amend and get the project right if it is to proceed. With Beaches Link now on pause and approval not imminent, we have the time and opportunity to review and refine details to ensure any proposal works for our local area, and that local views and concerns are addressed. There needs to be a reassessment of Beaches Link, including new modelling, the sharing of the business case and a refreshed round of consultation to better engage the community.

There are many benefits to these three projects and many reasons to deliver substantial infrastructure improvements to our roads network, including materially improved travel times, road safety and enhancement to local amenity. However, we must ensure that all costs and consequences have been thoroughly considered and addressed. It is clear that the proposed use of land within Flat Rock Gully in Northbridge for a dive site for Beaches Link is unacceptable to my community. An alternative option, if at all needed, must be found. I have made strong representations within government on behalf of Willoughby, calling for the abandonment of the Flat Rock dive site. Given the history of land use at this location, the need to ensure local green space is preserved and its present utilisation, this is a reasonable and fair change that must happen.

I am also calling for filtration of ventilation outlets in Cammeray. The community has expressed understandable concern about the location of these outlets near residential areas and local educational facilities. Both this location and the tunnel's length make it mandatory, in my view, for every precaution to be taken with these particular outlets. I am advised that filtration would be about $50 million per outlet. In the overall project cost this is minor, yet very material to my community.

Additionally, I have made strong representations directly to Transport for NSW regarding its need to significantly improve community consultation. Government must genuinely reach out to residents, listen and respond in good faith. I stand with my community in expressing deep concern and frustration about the loss of green space at Cammeray Park. Whilst the current situation is mostly temporary, there is a need to ensure that the park is rehabilitated as soon as practicable and that for each tree removed two trees are planted within a 500 metre radius and that they are mature, suitable local specimens. Those projects must deliver a net positive return of green space to the local area. I have made it very clear that Berries Bay is not an acceptable return for our community. I have set out a vision to return local green space by connecting Anzac Park and Cammeray Park with a green canopy, which is attracting strong support across my community including via an online petition. The facilities building adjacent to the freeway should be placed underground to return as much green space as possible. I have raised that idea with the Premier, among others in government, and said that if it is good enough for WestConnex, so it is for Willoughby.

Community engagement and consultation over the future vision for Cammeray Park needs to begin now, not next year. I have called for the place design and landscape plan to be brought forward to give the community urgent clarity and a say on the future of the site, including the extensive green space and tree planting to come. I am calling for other improvements, including reviewing the proposed impacts on local roads and early delivery of improvements to impacted local roads. We also need a study on improving public transport and active transport accessibility across the Willoughby electorate, including fully considering the option of a metro rail alternative to the Beaches Link tunnel. I am proud of this Government's $112 billion infrastructure pipeline, investing in the vital infrastructure that Willoughby needs, including public transport such as the Sydney Metro. But there is just one chance to get those major projects right, and I want to ensure that they are done right and work for the residents of the Willoughby area. I will continue to strongly advocate for Willoughby's interests when considering those major infrastructure projects.

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (18:16:25):

I thank the Government for its work on major infrastructure projects, particularly when considering the need for a third harbour crossing because our city's harbour crossings are already at a peak, which Infrastructure Australia and Infrastructure NSW have noted. I acknowledge the six years of work done on design and consultation, and particularly the advocacy of the former member for Willoughby who worked incredibly hard on getting the design right for the Western Harbour Tunnel and the Beaches Link. We will continue to make sure that we get the right outcomes for our communities in doing so. I also recognise the Government's ongoing and continued commitment to deliver the Beaches Link. It is a key part of our infrastructure program. The three stages of the Western Harbour Tunnel, the Warringah Freeway upgrade and Beaches Link are this Government's commitments. We make tough decisions about the economic circumstances of the day and we will make sure we get those projects right for our communities and for New South Wales.