NSW Premier Chris Minns says he does not know whether the troubled M6 motorway will be opened during his premiership, as the government threatens legal action against the contractor.
Tunnelling on the $3.1 billion link between the M8 at Arncliffe and President Avenue, Kogarah, was halted in 2024 after massive sinkholes emerged.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) said an engineering solution had now been found, but the government remained in dispute with the joint-venture contractor, CGU, over the cost of the revised project.
The delivery date has already been delayed until 2028 and on Tuesday, Mr Minns could not say whether the M6 would open while he remained premier.
“I don’t know,” he told reporters.
Chris Minns says contractor CGU has to “make good” on finishing the project. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)
“It’d be nice to have, but I don’t think too many people are saying what Sydney needs is another toll road.”
On Monday, TfNSW issued a default notice to CGU, demanding the contractor resume work on the tunnels by May 1, or risk potential legal action.
The premier said as part of the contract, CGU had taken on the risks of the design and construction, so it was responsible for finishing the project.
“I’m sorry it hasn’t worked out, but at the end of the day, they have to make good on it,” he said.
“They’re a big international infrastructure company [and] they signed a deal with the New South Wales government.
“I promise you, if they came in under budget, they wouldn’t be sending us a check back, so they’re going to have to step up.”
Budget also in doubt
During a budget estimates hearing in parliament on Tuesday, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison declined to give a timeframe for the project’s completion.
“Will it be 2027? 2028? 2029?” Shadow Infrastructure Minister Natalie Ward asked.
“I’m not going to hypothesise about what the opening date will be, considering where we are in this process,” Ms Aitchison replied.
Jenny Aitchison will not put a date on when it will be finished when asked. (ABC News: Romy Stephens)
The minister said the budget remained at $3.1 billion, but would not say whether the government would consider tipping in more cash to progress the project.
“Does that mean the government is prepared to let the project collapse, effectively letting a $3.1 billion project turn into a white elephant?” Ms Ward asked.
“It is subject to legal discussions and negotiations,” Ms Aitchison replied.
“And I will not prejudice those [negotiations] with comments made here to satisfy your scaremongering.”
$5 million in legal fees
The hearing was told the government had already spent $5 million on external legal advice during its dispute with CGU.
Shadow Roads Minister Mark Coure said it was unacceptable that the road project had been “stuck in neutral” for so long.
“The government’s had two years to get this project going again,” Mr Coure told 702 ABC Sydney.
“What we’ve learned in budget estimates is they’ve spent $5 million on legal fees in that time.
“That’s $5 million … that can fix a lot of potholes across Sydney and across New South Wales.”
Transport secretary Josh Murray said the agency had brought in additional engineering support to find a solution to the stalled tunnelling project.
Josh Murray says additional engineering support has been brought in. (ABC News: Keana Naughton)
“We have worked all through last year at that approach to get a technical solution to the problem,” Mr Murray told 702 ABC Sydney.
“Unfortunately, that hasn’t yet led to a re-picking up of tools.
“Now we enter a formal process to try and get everyone back to the job.”