Albion Park Rail Bypass

To whom it may concern,

Please find below some suggestions in relation to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Albion Park Rail Bypass Project (the Project) (Application number SSI 6878).

Choice of species for revegetation activities

We strongly recommend, in line with the views of LandCare Illawarra, that all revegetation works associated with the Project use suitable local plant species, grown from seed sourced locally from multiple plants. This will ensure plants are best adapted to survive in local conditions, and help maintain the genetic diversity of local species. A wide range of local species should be planted, including canopy, mid-storey and understorey species, to help create something as close to the original ecosystems as possible. Understorey species are all too often left out of revegetation activities, but they are a vital component in functioning ecosystems.

These conditions should be written into the scope of services for relevant Project tender documentation and contracts, to ensure compliance.

Opportunities for translocation of impacted plants

We also support LandCare Illawarra's view that opportunities should be provided for volunteers, under the supervision of LandCare Illawarra, to translocate species from the Project site so that they can be used for revegetation in LandCare Illawarra's projects in the region. Translocation of species is an excellent way to maintain genetic diversity, particularly for species that are difficult to propagate.

Local contractors with local knowledge

We are aware that the scale of the Project means that major associated contracts are likely to be won by large national firms. There is a risk in these cases that such firms do not have strengths in high-quality bush regeneration, and that they do not have practical knowledge and experience of revegetation in the local Illawarra context. We suggest that this risk needs to be actively mitigated. A number of options for mitigation are available. For example, it would be possible to prepare tender and contract documentation that:

1. Specify strong minimum standards in terms of bush regeneration (conservation and land management) qualifications and experience for firms to be able to sub-contract for landscaping/revegetation works associated with the Project

2. Require the successful tenderer to preference suitably qualified and capable local Illawarra bush regeneration in landscaping/revegetation sub-contracts associated with the Project

3. Require bidders to work in partnership with a local bush regeneration firm or firms for landscaping/regeneration aspects of the Project, or give a weighting for bids that include such a partnerships

4. Require that landscaping/revegetation be carried out using plants grown from seed collected from plants within Illawarra, and that seed collection and propagation be carried out by those intimately familiar with Illawarra vegetation

We also recommend that an ongoing dialogue be maintained with LandCare Illawarra representatives regarding the design and implementation of landscaping/revegetation works. For example, LandCare Illawarra representatives could be given an opportunity to review draft plans and sub-contracts, brief the contractor and/or sub-contractors and so on.

Offset quality

It is vital that any offsets for the Project genuinely offset the Project's destruction of biodiversity, specifically of Eastern Flame Peas, and 14 hectares of endangered ecological community (EEC). The offsets need to restore and protect in perpetuity lands that would have originally have borne the same EECs, and that would not otherwise have been restored and protected, to ensure that the offsets are genuine additions to existing areas of the EECs in question. In other words, measures need to be taken to identify and choose suitable sites that are not already the subject of restoration and protection activities.

Maintenance of revegetated areas

In relation to any areas that are revegetated under the Project, such as road reserves, but that are outside of the offset system, we suggest that budget be provided for ongoing maintenance, to avoid the degradation of these areas as a result of invasion by weed species.

In Illawarra, a major vector of weed distribution is, unfortunately, road reserves managed by RMS. For example, the land alongside the Southern Freeway hosts a growing number of Morning Glory, Madeira Vine and other weedy plant species. Many of these weed species displace native plants and may kill even large trees by climbing and smothering them. If such weeds are not subject to a suitably funded ongoing management program, they are likely to undermine revegetation efforts associated with the project, as well as allowing weeds to spread from road reserves to adjoining natural areas.

Impacts on platypus

We understand that Duck Creek and Macquarie Rivulet, over which the project passes at several points, are known habitat for platypus. Platypus were also recently sighted in Mullet Creek. We would like to know whether this was taken into consideration as part of the EIS development process, and in particular whether and how the EIS assessed the potential impact of the project on local platypus populations. We could not see any reference to platypus in the EIS document.

Yours truly


Emma Rooksby and Leon Fuller
Founders, Urban Biodiversity Illawarra
Urban Biodiversity Illawarra aims to encourage landholders in the Illawarra region to grow more local native plant species.

Dear Sir/madam

I write to you in regard to the Albion Park Bypass project.

I am concerned about the impact that the project will have on the Dairy Farm located on the Illawarra Highway. I understand that 27 hectares of agricultural land will be taken to build the road. This is more than double the amount of land identified in the original road corridor.

It is important to me that our future generations be able to feed themselves with Australian grown produce. Agricultural ground is a precious resource that needs to be protected. Once this land is under a road it can never be used to produce food for our nation again.

I ask that the road design be reviewed carefully and creatively to find an alternative solution to the current design, that will reduce the amount of quality agricultural land taken by this project.

Regards

Upon viewing the concept plan for the above project and attending the stakeholders meeting, we would like to re-iterate our comments on the design.



We acknowledge the EIS predominately considers the Environmental impacts and includes diagrams that are "concepts" so hope that they will be modified when formulating actual working plans. As an equestrian organisation we, as a club and our individual members, utilise the Pony club and the current public arenas. The concept plan shows the re-located enclosed arena not to be rectangular with an acute angle on the southern end. This is inappropriate for riding and is also, not replacing "like with like". There are also 2 open arenas planned which could be reduced to one as there is only one really available for use at the moment. This may free up enough space to move the new enclosed arena south and square up its boundary. These works will reduce the flat area available to the Pony Club considerably and the plan & Statement deems them to be unaffected. This is not the case. They need flat ground for riding tuition, practice and parking. Every effort should be made to ensure this impact is limited or mitigated by the undulating area to the north of the club house being levelled for purpose.



Due to security issues, Pony Club's toilet block is not available to the public, therefore there will be no toilet facilities in proximity to the new public arena and even the wash down bay proposed is STCA. These will need further investigation to again replace "like with like" despite possibilities of vandalism etc as described at the stakeholders meeting. At the moment it is possible to use the toilets at the Basketball stadium or the cemetery.



Mention is made about keeping horses separate from pedestrians and cyclists on the access pathways. This doesn't necessarily need a barrier, perhaps signage to direct horse riders to the adjacent grass or a give way policy for all users of the shared pathway. We were also advised that the underpass at the Frazer's Creek adjustment would be high enough not to necessitate dismounting; this will need to be clarified. Re-mounting can sometimes be difficult with a tall horse unless a suitable high point can be found to assist. Any works in proximity to watercourses should, where possible, lessen future flood damage. Fraser's Creek has considerable scouring and often has slumping of banks which expands into usable land & also causes diversion of flows . Rehabilitation should be considered as an off-set in numerous areas.



The area designated for vehicle & float parking seems adequate but there should still be some work done on the low level crossing from Hughes Dr to cater for the extra traffic & larger rigs. There was a suggestion of possible use by the soccer club for overflow parking. This may lead to litigation issues if a child or vehicle is impacted by a horse etc due to fright or fractiousness. If this then means the arena isn't available for use when soccer needs the parking then it is no longer "public". The area should not be recommended for non-equestrians unaware of horses and their possible actions.



Several references are made to equestrian access from Croome Rd along Frazers Creek to the Pony Club. This is not an easily or safely accessible route and is not defined. There are locked gates, hazardous remnant fencing, cattle & boggy sections. The underpass of Ashburton Drive is also often strewn with flood debris, litter, weed and branches. Use of this path cannot be relied upon by horse riders and would need work to make safe. Currently access from the south east can be gained across Croome Rd from the East West link as well as from the north. Rebuilding the East West link should take this into account.

Dear Sir/madam

I write to you in regard to the Albion Park Bypass project.

I am concerned about the impact that the project will have on the Dairy Farm located on the Illawarra Highway. I understand that 27 hectares of agricultural land will be taken to build the road. This is more than double the amount of land identified in the original road corridor.

It is important to me that our future generations be able to feed themselves with Australian grown produce. Agricultural ground is a precious resource that needs to be protected. Once this land is under a road it can never be used to produce food for our nation again.

I ask that the road design be reviewed carefully and creatively to find an alternative solution to the current design, that will reduce the amount of quality agricultural land taken by this project.

Regards

Janice Cosgrove

To whom it may concern

I write to you in regard to the Albion Park Bypass project.

I am very concerned about the impact that this project will have on the Dairy Farms located on the Illawarra Highway. I understand that 27 hectares of agricultural land will be taken to build the road. This is more than double the amount of land identified in the original road corridor.

It is important to me that our current and future generations be able to feed themselves with Australian grown produce. Agricultural ground is a precious resource that needs to be protected, particularly in the lush coastal fringe of which Albion Park is a part. Once this land is under a road it can never be used to produce food for our nation again. The sustainability of local food production is important for our children and their children.

I ask that the road design be reviewed carefully and creatively to find an alternative solution to the current design, that will reduce the amount of quality agricultural land taken by this project.

Thankyou.

Dear Sir/madam

I write to you in regard to the Albion Park Bypass project.

I am concerned about the impact that the project will have on the Dairy Farm located on the Illawarra Highway. I understand that 27 hectares of agricultural land will be taken to build the road. This is more than double the amount of land identified in the original road corridor.

It is important to me that our future generations be able to feed themselves with Australian grown produce. Agricultural ground is a precious resource that needs to be protected. Once this land is under a road it can never be used to produce food for our nation again.

I ask that the road design be reviewed carefully and creatively to find an alternative solution to the current design, that will reduce the amount of quality agricultural land taken by this project.

Regards

Dear Sir/Madam

I write to voice my concern about the Albion Park Bypass Project's impact on the rural environment.

Of particular concern, is the detrimental impact the project will have on dairy farming and specifically that of the farm on the Illawarra Highway. Technical Paper 9 indicates (p.2);
"High socio-economic impacts of land acquisition would fall on agricultural land users, particularly lands used for dairying. The project has created substantial stress, anxiety and concern in relation to this impact, and the potential impact on dairying would have high family and district socio-economic impacts. It could contribute to the decline of dairying and rural values in the district, which are important to both long-term rural residents and urban dwellers."

I understand that 27 hectares of prime agricultural land will be taken to build the road. This is a significant figure; especially given it is double that identified in the original road corridor. The socio-economic impact arising from this land acquisition will directly and substantially impact the current users of the land, employment and lifestyle.

Technical Paper 9 also indicates that one thing the communities of this region value is "a rural lifestyle with views and scenery". The loss of agricultural farmland to this project will surely disrupt the rural views that residents and visitors alike, enjoy as they turn towards Albion Park. Additionally Councils' goals specified in the Technical Papers list, valuing and protecting the natural environment and sustainability. Surely the acquisition of productive farmland to be replaced with impermeable roadway, will impact the environment not least through loss of production, disruptive noise and change in water flows because of impermeable surfaces.

I am raising my children to value fresh, wholesome foods. When productive agricultural land is taken up instead by development, it is a loss of a precious resource for their future. Once development begins on this acquired land, with compacting processes and the laying of hard surfaces on it, the land below will not be useful for the production of food for our future generations.

I request that the road's design be re-evaluated with respect to the loss of this agricultural land. The way forward for Australia in sustainable food production, requires innovative approaches. These should consider how to equitably satisfy the need for transport corridors, alongside the need to produce food for the those using them and beyond. The Technical Report's "Figure 2.2 Existing Surrounding Land Use", clearly shows the greatest area of land use affected by this Project would be the dairy industry. To be equitable and environmentally conscious, I call for new plans to be considered to value agricultural farmland as the non-renewable resource it is.

Dear Sir/madam



I write to you in regard to the Albion Park Bypass project.



I am concerned about the impact that the project will have on the Dairy Farm located on the Illawarra Highway. I understand that 27 hectares of agricultural land will be taken to build the road. This is more than double the amount of land identified in the original road corridor.



It is important to me that our future generations be able to feed themselves with Australian grown produce. Agricultural ground is a precious resource that needs to be protected. Once this land is under a road it can never be used to produce food for our nation again.



I ask that the road design be reviewed carefully and creatively to find an alternative solution to the current design, that will reduce the amount of quality agricultural land taken by this project.



Regards

Jennifer Norris

I write to you in regard to the Albion Park Bypass project.

I know the comments below are a cut and paste submission but that does not diminish my concerns over this project. Good roads are vital to progress and a growing population but how are we going to feed ourselves if prime agricultural land is wasted like in this project.

I believe we definitely need this road for our area and I am in no way opposed to its construction and the changes proposed for the Crome Rd Complex will be a big boost for a rundown area.

I am concerned about the impact that the project will have on the Dairy Farm located on the Illawarra Highway. I understand that 27 hectares of agricultural land will be taken to build the road. This is more than double the amount of land identified in the original road corridor.

It is important to me that our future generations be able to feed themselves with Australian grown produce. Agricultural ground is a precious resource that needs to be protected. Once this land is under a road it can never be used to produce food for our nation again.

I ask that the road design be reviewed carefully and creatively to find an alternative solution to the current design, that will reduce the amount of quality agricultural land taken by this project.


Regards,
Peter Binns
Managing Director
PKJ Designs

Good Afternoon

On behalf of my family members and fellow residents of Larkins Lane Yallah, I would like to express the following comments and concerns regarding the APR Bypass.

Having lived here for the past 9 years and delighting in the views and atmosphere of country living, we are obviously concerned as to the visual and noise impacts the bypass will bring.

When attending an community engagement session at Albion Park, earlier this year, although staff were very engaging, no one from RMS was able to provide an accurate idea of what we could expect in terms of visual impacts for our property, which is located at 29 Larkins Lane Yallah. We would very much appreciate a visual representation being provided.

At this same meeting, we made a point of asking about the noise impacts and requested that appropriate noise barriers be erected - either concrete (as seen on the way to Sydney) or semi clear (as seen on the way to Kiama). We were told that this would be looked into further down the track.

We appeal to the RMS to review the EIS as noise attenuation and visual amenity do not appear to be an integral part of project consultation.

We would urge RMS to plant fast growing, attractive, native trees alongside noise walls, to reduce the visual and noise impacts for residents - present and future.

At the time of building our homes in Larkins Lane, we were required to meet many requirements to suit with the rural zoning of the land, including the submission of colour schemes for water tanks, roofs, planting of vegetation etc to reduce the `visual impact' for drivers travelling along the Illawarra Highway, which we did.

We would now ask that RMS and NSW Department of Planning give the same consideration, and look forward to hearing back from both.

Sincerely yours

Nicholls Family
29 Larkins Lane
Yallah NSW 2530

As an experienced bus/coach driver too much through traffic is forced to travel past Mount Brown School and Dapto high school to reach Dapto township at Fowlers rd and Bong Bong road. An off ramp at Kanahooka road in the vercinity of the Dandaloo shopping centre would replace a dangerous pedestrian crossing at the Caltex garage and a troublesome intersection with a set of traffic lights to regulate pedestrian and traffic through an already dangerous section of Kanahooka Road with a reduction of princes highway traffic past the top end of Dapto.

Frederick Mant
3 Barellan Avenue
Dapto 2530

We have waited far too long for this the Howard government the rudd & gillard government then the abbott government and now the turnbull government (Along with Carr, Ofarrell & baird!!!)
This must start Now...before christmas and not to mention but we need exit ramps going north on M1 at fowlers road and kananhooka rd also on ramps to go south on M1 (F6) from Fowlers rd and Kanahooka road ...It would get SO MUCH TRAFFIC OFF the princes Hwy through Dapto and prevent many accidents!!!

I simply wish to state my concern that this project will destroy rich fertile land on one of the few remaining productive farms left in the Illawarra. I believe that the land itself is every bit as important as any of the natural fauna and flora that is rightly protected.
I am very much in favour of the bypass but believe that a less destructive route should be considered,
sincerely, Gwenda Frencham

I support the Illawarra BUG submission to include a safe bicycle link between Croome Road and Durgadan Drive

Please see the Illawarra BUG's feedback attached

Please see attached submission from Bicycle NSW.

I ask the planning committee to consider the business owners of the Albion Park Rail Industrial Estate and the Public whom frequent this industrial park.

Currently the estate enjoys access from princes highway northbound in and out at Durgadin Drive to highway, In and Out at the New Traffic Lights Princes Highway and the rear access to East West Link. Also Woolybutt drive and Croom Road services Via access East West Link.

The New Proposal deletes WoolyButt and Rear Access to East West link. This means anyone that wants to travel to Albion Park Must leave via Old Princes Highway and also Enter Via Here.

I request you consider the rear access point to the new slip road, this will allow traffic to flow freely and allow people to head to Albion park the BACK WAY via this slip road. I understand another bridge more costs, but the existing usage rights of the people that built in this estate including myself will be removed.

All residents will be fighting and will struggle with two quarry loads of traffic, currently there are ins and outs for residents to get of the east west link as they wish, the new proposal funnels all traffic along the slip road and will be directly competing with any jamberoo traffic, mt terry traffic and the two quarrys traffic

I ask you to strongly consider this proposal and think of not only the burden of budget issues but the people, the residents of neighbouring areas that will use this also the developers and the major developments placed inside the business park.

Attached is your plan of what is now and what will be on completion.

Thank You
Steve Caunt
Director
Fire Service Plus.
21 shaban street
Albion Park Rail

See attached file : EIS submission final.pdf

Submission is in Attachment 1