Oakdale West Estate MOD 2

The services currently provided by Sydney Buses in the form of public transport servicing the current concept of 22 warehouse buildings are totally inadequate, moreover, they are non existent.
The plans as they stand need to address the public transport issue before any recommendation can be considered as ANY increase to warehousing space will simply exacerbate the problems being faced by the thousands of people having to make their transport arrangements without there being a public transport option.

The case for public transport is extremely strong, indeed, there is a significant health and safety risk presented by the lack of public transport to the general public who have no choice but to walk or cycle to work. Often the temperatures are in excess of 40 degrees at a time when most of the workforce in the Oakdale area would be "changing shift". This forces the public to expose themselves to high temperatures when having to walk several kilometres to the nearest bus stop.

The issue needs resolving in the form of a statement of intent to commence public transport services throughout the Oakdale panorama in order to ensure the public can access the workplaces afforded the permission to operate. The numbers of general public would easily be in their thousands and we have a responsibility to ensure people can access their place of work 24/7 with the use of public transport out of the main metropolitan areas of the surroundings i.e. Blacktown, Penrith, The Hills (Rousehill, Kellyville etc.) as well as Parramatta.

The "service window" needs to be carefully considered too. Most of the distribution environment created in the Oakdale Industrial Estate will be dependent upon a 24/7 three shift system over time as the on-set of Badgerys Creek takes shape and the likelihood of a round the clock service to the users of distribution services grows ever more demanding. This means that the services provided by public transport need to be pragmatic and fit for purpose with most people starting and finishing work at 5/6 AM as well as 1/2 PM and 9/10 PM - all requiring transport back to the major metro centres nearby that feed the estate's demand for workers.

Finally, the area is isolated and needs the arteries feeding into it to sustain the growth and development of a workforce whose pay rates will likely be at "Award levels" and we cannot therefore assume (without being arrogant) that people can afford to drive.

It is for these reasons that I object to the expansion plans on behalf of the company.

Kind regards,

Colin Lane

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environement (DPIE) - Crown Lands has no comments for this proposal.

Please see attached response.
Regards Justine Clarke
Catchment and Asset Protection Adviser

See attached.

No objections subject to comments/requirements

Please refer to the attachment.

Please find attached EES comments

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment - Water and the Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) have reviewed the above and have no comments.

Please find attached Penrith City Council's response along with a copy of the response for MOD 1 for reference.