Background
Project timeline
In March 2017, NSW Government announced a preferred route for the project, the start of geological drilling, notifications to property owners, and the commencement of a consultation process.
May 2017: Investigative works commenced with up to 235 borehole sites tested along the preferred route. Further field work included traffic analysis, noise and air quality monitoring, and flora, fauna and marine ecology studies.
Late 2017: RMS lodged an application with the DPE for the WHBTL to be considered State Significant Infrastructure by lodging a State Significant Infrastructure Application. The DPE issued sets of Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the project(s).
July 2018: NSW Government released the reference design map for the WHTBL.
November/December 2018: Community information sessions were held with more than 2600 people attending. Meetings were also held with Council, community groups, schools, sporting associations and various special interest groups. More than 7300 submissions were received.
RMS liaised with Council on several matters pertinent to this major project in preparation of the environmental assessment of the WHTBL.
January 2020: the detailed EIS for the WHT and Warringah Expressway Upgrade was publicly exhibited from 29 January to 30 March 2020.
September 2020: the EIS submissions report was released for comment; 1459 submissions were received.
November 2020: the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (WHT and Warringah Freeway Upgrade Project) Order 2020 was made under sections 5.12(4) and 5.13 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. The object of the Order was to make certain development for the purposes of the WHT and Warringah Freeway Upgrade project to be State significant infrastructure, and critical State significant infrastructure.
December 2020: TfNSW announced the release and public exhibition of the EIS for he Beaches Link and Gore Hill Expressway
January 2021: TfNSW announced the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade was approved by the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, with the project to be constructed and operated in accordance with the Ministers Conditions of Approval. A copy of these conditions is available at NSW Dept of Planning and Environment’s (DPE) website.
June 2022: the NSW Government announced that while it remained committed to the Beaches Link, its progress was being restaged to ensure it could be delivered in a sustainable and affordable way
Previous Council resolutions and responses
View Summary of Council resolutions