The backlash in the Liberal Party’s heartland comes as Willoughby MP Tim James raised concerns about the management of the road project.
“It’s clear that some aspects of these projects need to be done better,” he said. “We have one chance to get this right and ensure the projects work for the local area.”
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said tree removal was a “sensitive community issue”, but the freeway upgrade will lead to an increase in the local tree canopy.Credit:Nick Moir
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the Warringah Freeway upgrade was a “critical project” that would help take more cars off local roads and “significantly boost capacity on our network” for future projected increases in traffic.
The spokesperson said every major project undertaken by Transport underwent rigorous environmental assessment: “Tree removal is understandably a sensitive community issue, which is why as part of this project, we will be delivering an increase to the local tree canopy.”
The controversy over the removal of trees comes amid rising concern over the sale of green spaces on Sydney’s north shore to developers.
Baker said North Sydney Council in June was told by Transport that 655 trees would be chopped down out of a total of 1330 trees on the golf course, which is located within Cammeray Park.
More than 480 trees will be removed to make way for the motorway upgrade, with another 168 trees cut down to reconfigure the golf course.
Residents are outraged at the destruction of trees for the upgrade to the motorway. Credit:Nick Moir
“The trees that have been destroyed were predominantly melaleucas, angophoras and native figs, many 30 to 40 years old,” Baker said. “Minutes to be destroyed and decades to replace the canopy and habitat lost.”
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The Cammeray Golf Club’s 2021 annual report reveals almost 40 per cent of the golf course had been compulsorily acquired by the state government: “While we knew the Tunnel Project would likely occur, it hurt to know that our hopes of the project not proceeding had finally been squashed.”
The approval of the motorway project required a new golf course to be created in consultation with, and at no cost to the club, whose current patron is James.
The Liberals suffered a 19 per cent swing against them and James only just beat independent candidate Larissa Penn in a by-election earlier this year for the seat formerly held by Gladys Berejiklian.
James said he was “acting to ensure” construction impacts from the tunnel projects were minimized, no tree was removed unnecessarily and construction sites were fully rehabilitated.
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“There’s more to do, but I’m confident real improvements to the project that address the concerns of the Willoughby community will be made with my advocacy,” he said.
He also supports the construction of a canopy over the Warringah Freeway to provide more public green space and increase the tree canopy.
Baker said the council expected more trees up to 50 years old to be cut down along the freeway.
“Land clearing is the preference of developers and contractors because it’s cheap and makes their task easier,” she said.
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“A more careful process with real consultation with council officers would have significantly reduced the numbers of trees and vital urban habitat loss.”
Baker said the council opposed the tunnel projects because of the “devastating environmental impacts” and the failure to demonstrate any business case for them.
“The North Sydney Local Government Area bears the enormous burden of these projects and there are no demonstrable benefits,” she said.
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