M4-M5 Link planning gets under way

There’s been another significant step towards development of the WestConnex motorway, with the planning application lodged for the much-anticipated final stage – the crucial link between the M4 and M5.

Federal Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher and NSW Minister for Roads Duncan Gay said the application had been lodged by Roads and Maritime Services with the Department of Planning and Environment to allow an extensive program of community consultation to get under way.

“WestConnex will join these two major Sydney corridors via tunnel and create a new western CBD bypass, supporting the additional 1.4 million daily trips expected on the Sydney road network by 2031,” Minister Fletcher said.

“The M4-M5 Link will connect the M4 East and New M5 tunnels and provide connections at Rozelle to Anzac Bridge, Victoria Road and the future Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link, as well as to Parramatta Road at Camperdown.”

Minister Gay said this step would allow for planning for a comprehensive program of community engagement to start, working with local councils, government agencies, the Greater Sydney Commission, industry and other key stakeholders to get their views and ideas on this city-changing infrastructure.

“This section will provide a key link for those travelling along the M4 to the airport and port, saving time and money. It’s terrific to see WestConnex, which is a much-needed project for the people of Sydney,   taking shape - with work already well underway on the first part of the project, the M4 widening,” Minister Gay said.

“As is standard practice for infrastructure projects of this magnitude, we will also be looking at a range of relevant environmental factors for the M4-M5 link including potential impacts on local communities, heritage items and plant and animal biodiversity.”

The lodgement of the planning application follows the release of the updated WestConnex business case last November, and will help set out steps leading up to the environmental impact statement which will go on display in early 2017.

This is the third and final stage of WestConnex and links the M4 and M5 between Haberfield, Rozelle and St Peters via a 9.2km tunnel with three lanes in each direction. Work is due to start in 2019 and be completed in 2023.

MEDIA: Ali Nelson | 0417 668 939 | Minister Fletcher 

Nina Stevens | 0437 732 553 | Minister Gay