My question is directed to the Minister for Transport, representing the Minister for Roads. For too long, desperately needed upgrades to the Wakehurst Parkway have been neglected by successive governments. Will the new Government deliver its pre-election commitment of $13 million for the flood mitigation works, as well as the previous budget allocation of $75 million for the Wakehurst Parkway, so that the people of the northern beaches who rely on this crucial arterial road can have it fixed once and for all?

MINISTER JO HAYLEN'S RESPONSE:  I thank the member for Wakehurst for the question and congratulate him on his emphatic victory on 25 March. I welcome our shared interest in things like cricket and also in better public transport services and safer, reliable roads. As the member well knows, and as his community knows, Wakehurst Parkway is one of the most important roads in the northern beaches. It passes through Oxford Falls, Narrabeen and Frenchs Forest to North Balgowlah. It is a critical thoroughfare but it is also surrounded by places of important cultural heritage and environmental significance, so the Government needs to get this right.

The parkway north of Warringah Road, as the member for Wakehurst and locals know, is prone to flooding. In fact it floods and is closed six to seven times a year on average. Consequently I am pleased to confirm to the member and to the House that the Minns Labor Government has committed $13 million to fast-track work on flood mitigation measures along the Wakehurst Parkway. This funding is in addition to the $18.1 million already provided to the Northern Beaches Council to improve flood mitigation on Wakehurst Parkway.

The member will also be glad to know that the New South Wales Government is investing $75 million in total to improve safety and capacity on the parkway. The proposed improvements to the road will help to reduce accidents. They will improve access to the Northern Beaches Hospital—something that is very important for the member's community. Ultimately, it will save commuters time. The Government wants to make sure it is dealing with the environmental impacts. It will improve efficiency, safety and active transport along the corridor. It is also using technology better, particularly when it comes to flooding incidents. Along the way, the Government wants to ensure that it provides better access to public transport.

The Government is carrying out widening of Dreadnought Road to the Oxford Falls Road intersection, with an additional southbound lane from Dreadnought Road to Trefoil Creek, and improvements at Elanora Road at Elanora Heights and Mirrool Street at North Narrabeen. The investigations and works will ensure that this Government gets this right, and the community will be informed along the way. Ultimately, it will improve road safety, network efficiency, capacity for future traffic flow, public transport and active transport opportunities. While a lot of the work will be carried out to minimise traffic impacts, there will be some disruptions along the way, so I welcome the member's enthusiasm for these works. The Government will work with the member and his community to minimise the impact on commuters across the northern beaches.