The NSW government's planned multi-billion dollar upgrade of the Great Western Highway could be shelved as NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet looks to contend with surging construction costs and global labour shortages.
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The Sydney Morning Herald revealed on Tuesday the state government's independent infrastructure body has recommended the state's $27 billion infrastructure spend be diverted to smaller projects that will provide "high returns and faster paybacks with less budget and delivery risks".
The planned 11-kilometre tunnel on the Great Western Highway, to stretch from Blackheath to Little Hartley, bypassing Mount Victoria in the state's Blue Mountains, would be Australia's longest tunnel but is one of the NSW's government's megaprojects likely to be put on ice.
It was confirmed by Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Sam Farraway just two weeks ago that the tunnel will be toll free, too.
Bathurst transport industry stalwart Graeme Burke, based in the state's Central West, says a Great Western Highway tunnel should remain a top priority.
"It's probably the number one project anywhere in NSW that needs to be done," Mr Burke said.
Mr Burke - who has been a vocal critic of the Central West's road access to Sydney for some time, but particularly so in recent years as flood damage and fires have closed the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road - said the region could not afford to wait any longer for an improved highway.
"The people of the Central West are being cheated and cheated," he said.
He said dual lanes all the way through the Blue Mountains had been delayed for too long - particularly considering the antiquated nature of parts of the highway.
The convict-built bridge at Victoria Pass, he said, might carry 100 tonnes of weight in the one spot these days when heavy vehicles travelling in either direction are briefly side by side.
"But I'm not only saying it from the point of view of road transport," he said.
Mr Burke said he has friends in the NSW Blue Mountains who don't bother leaving their houses on a sunny, busy weekend because of the problems of traffic on the highway.
"And the people of the Central West deserve better - not only the people in Bathurst, but Lithgow, Orange, Dubbo," he said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The Great Western Highway upgrade, which includes the proposed tunnel under Blackheath and Mount Victoria but also a duplication of the existing highway elsewhere, is being jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments.
The two tiers of government have committed $4.5 billion so far, though the Commonwealth's commitment came under the previous Morrison government.
The Beaches Link, Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 and stages of Sydney Metro, including from south-west Sydney to the new airport, are Sydney-based projects in danger of being delayed.
The report sites both the pandemic and an overheated construction market as the two biggest risks for charging ahead with big builds.
The Beaches Link, Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 and stages of Sydney Metro, including from south-west Sydney to the new airport, are other projects in danger of being delayed.
Like WestConnex, the Great Western Highway upgrade is being jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth governments to the tune of $4.5 billion.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
