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Game Over: $10 billion Northern Beaches Tunnel scrapped by Minns Government.

Published On: September 13, 2023

The Minns Government has officially scrapped the long anticipated Beaches Link.

By ANNA USHER

The long-promised Northern Beaches tunnel has been officially abandoned by the Minns Government, with the NSW Roads Minister saying it would be “irresponsible” to spend $10 billion on the project.

The proposed tunnel was slated to run from the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray to Balgowlah, bypassing heavily congested Military Road, and the Spit Bridge.

Lower north shore residents are now demanding a “Plan B” to ease congestion on local roads.

“Given the amount of debt that NSW has got, our view is that would be an irresponsible decision at the moment,” Minister John Graham said.

The Minister also said the decision would “save” greenspace dotted across the north shore and Northern Beaches set for use during the construction, including the Flat Rock Gully walking trail at Willoughby.

“We’re saving Flat Rock Gully as a result of the decision to cancel the Beaches Link Road.”

Work was scheduled to start on the Beaches Link this year at a cost of $1 million per metre.

As for the 26 properties, including 23 which have already been acquired by Transport for NSW, it’s too late for them to be saved.

Those homes will now be kept in government hands, with Graham saying $150 million spent on acquisition and planning won’t be “wasted”.

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“It’s important that we do protect properties in this corridor, you’ve got to plan for the future, and the government’s doing that,” he said.

“But that doesn’t mean we’ve got to spend $10 billion now.”

The $10 billion project has been scrapped by the Minns Government.

A Northern Beaches network review will now assess traffic flow.

Manly MP James Griffin told the media locals and tourists will suffer thanks to the decision, accusing Labor of “governing by postcode”.

“We had great hopes for the Northern Beaches tunnel being part of a solution for the traffic congestion we experience each and every day,” Griffin said.

He also warned against more development in the area.

The proposed tunnel was slated to run from the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray to Balgowlah, by passing Military Rd and the Spit Bridge.

The Beaches Link, also known as the Northern Beaches Tunnel, was scheduled to start in 2023 and be completed by 2028 according to the timelines provided in the Environmental Impact Statement, pending planning approval.

The NSW Government say it is committed to finishing the already under-construction Western Harbour Tunnel and supporting Warringah Freeway Upgrade.