Description
The NSW Government’s Western Harbour Tunnel is Sydney’s first road crossing of the harbour in more than 30 years. The 6.5km road tunnel will connect the Warringah Freeway near North Sydney to the WestConnex M4 and M8 at Rozelle Interchange, bypassing the CBD and making it easier, faster and safer to get around Sydney.
The project is being delivered in two stages.
WHT Stage 1 involved the excavation of more than 1.7 kilometres of traffic tunnels from under Emily Street, Rozelle, to Cove Street, Birchgrove. This was completed by a separate contractor between June 2022 and February 2025.
WHT Stage 2 (this project) is being delivered by ACCIONA and includes excavation of 4.8 kilometres of traffic tunnels from Birchgrove to Cammeray, including under Sydney Harbour, and the complete tunnel fit out.
Two types of tunnelling equipment are being used to build Western Harbour Tunnel. Roadheaders are being used to excavate the tunnels between Cammeray and Waverton, and between Rozelle and Birchgrove. Specialised tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are being used to excavate the tunnels from Birchgrove, north of Cove Street, and under Sydney Harbour to Waverton.
Acknowledgements
People:
- Simon Cooper - Project Director, TfNSW
- Andrew Marsonet - Project Director, ACCIONA
- Tim Orpen – Design & Construction Director, ACCIONA
- Candice Camacho – Operational Services Director, ACCIONA
- Rhys Jones – Engineering & Design Director, ACCIONA
- Rob Owens – Senior Manager Environment & Sustainability, TfNSW
- Charles Scarf – Environment & Sustainability Manager, ACCIONA
- Simon Pigozzo –Environment & Sustainability Manager, TfNSW
- Kerry Radford - Senior Environment and Sustainability Officer, TfNSW
- Terese Decena - Senior Sustainability Manager, TfNSW
Suppliers:
- Malo Sustainability Consulting
- Wrixon Consulting Pty Ltd
- Textile Recyclers Australia
- East Coast Ecology Pty Ltd
- Hutchison Weller Pty Ltd
- Land Air Water Environmental Management Pty Ltd
Testimonial (Project Executive)
At Western Harbour Tunnel (WHT), sustainability remains a guiding principle that reflects our early commitment to lead with a “regenerative by design” mindset. Through empowered leadership and holistic decision-making, our focus on leaving behind a positive legacy for our community and environment continues to shape everything we do - from design to delivery.
Andrew Marsonet
Project Director, Acciona Construction Australia
Rating Highlights
| Category | Credits | Achievements |
| Water | Wat-1 | Early engagement and innovative design enabled a 42% reduction in potable water use - saving 2,560 megalitres over WHT's design life. Key water saving innovations included identifying major efficiencies in fire suppression systems and prioritising non-potable water reuse in the design of the slurry treatment plant and water treatment plants. |
| Legacy | Leg-1 | Legacy initiatives include revitalising Berrys Bay foreshore into accessible parkland through regenerative and collaborative design; partnering with corrections facilities to provide employment pathways for women; and funding marine research to inform future ecosystem restoration in Berrys Bay - delivering lasting social and environmental benefits beyond the project. |
| Materials | Mat-1 | Value engineering drove a 35% reduction in life cycle material impacts, facilitated by early collaboration with design partners and in-house teams. Key innovations included removing a floor in Cammeray Ventilation Building, optimising tunnel panel design with durable local materials, and incorporating value engineering initiatives across the project - driving significant carbon savings. |
| Stakeholder | Sta-2 | Through intentional engagement and collaboration, Aboriginal artist Dennis Golding and local Elders co-designed the WHT ‘Passing Knowledge’ tunnel interior artworks. Featuring topographical imagery and cultural symbols like the nawi invites viewers to reflect on the rich stories entwined with the lands and waters they cross between Cammeraygal and Wangal Country. |
