Paul Fletcher welcomes NSW Government decision to approve NorthConnex subject to conditions

Member for Bradfield, Paul Fletcher, has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to grant planning approval for construction of NorthConnex, the $3 billion motorway which will link the M1 at Wahroonga and the M2 at Pennant Hills.

“This very important project has been backed with a commitment of $405 million by the Abbott Government federally, and of $405 million by the Baird Government in NSW,” said Mr Fletcher.

“Today heavy congestion along Pennant Hills Road has a very serious impact on communities such as Wahroonga, Normanhurst and Thornleigh. Once NorthConnex is built it will offer significant benefits for community amenity in these areas.”

“NorthConnex will be a nine kilometre long tunnel, running under the existing route of Pennant Hills Road, linking the M1 and M2 motorways to reduce congestion, shorten travel times and improve safety”, said Mr Fletcher.

“I am pleased that a number of conditions have been attached to the approval in response to community concerns raised during the consultation process. For example, the Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning has new powers to intervene if the air quality levels reported live and made publicly available, exceed limits to the conditions of approval.“ Mr Fletcher said.

The approval conditions include :

• Monitoring air quality before and after the project’s completion, including inside and outside the tunnel
• Designing the ventilation system to be upgradable if required in the future
• Submissions of plans covering traffic management, spoil disposal, water and soil protections and other issues relevant to the construction

The full conditions can be read here: https://majorprojects.affinitylive.com/public/163aa1c9b211c5d126fef2468a30e597/Instrument%20of%20Approval.pdf

“I support this project and believe it will deliver significant benefits for my constituents in Bradfield.” Mr Fletcher concluded.