Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

I object to the Beaches Link proposal in its current design and format. I don't believe the stated aims of improving traffic congestion/issues on the Northern Beaches are adequately resolved by the building of the Beaches Link tunnel. The modelling of time saved does not accord with what we experience as Northern Beaches residents. We can currently drive to the city in 20 to 25 minutes and the airport in 30 to 40 minutes yet your modelling claims we will 'save 30+ minutes driving to the city'.
Such a huge piece of infrastructure at such a huge financial cost is not warranted or needed. In this day and age much more sophisticated solutions could address transport issues on the Northern Beaches without the huge cost to the natural environment that would be incurred by the building of the Beaches Link. Northern Beaches residents would be subject to intolerable living conditions if the construction were to go ahead and at the end the stated aims of better travel times would either not be achieved or be very short lived. Transport experts suggest conditions would revert to the status quo in approximately 2 years so what will all the expense, upheaval and loss of crucial habitat and flora have been for? The project does not stack up. It is strange that in your visual representations of Balgowlah Golf course you don't identify Balgowlah Boys High and the emissions stack is distorted to appear much lower than it will be in reality . As residents we are very aware of how close to the construction zone Balgowlah Boys High as well as Seaforth Primary, St Cecilias School and various childcare centres in fact are. During approximately 6 to 7 years of construction these children will be impacted hugely by busier, more congested roads and in fact more dangerous conditions due to egress and ingress of trucks to the construction zones along with the attendant workforce that one assumes will be driving into and around the local area., not to mention constant noise and dust. If the Beaches Link were to be built they would then be subject to the fine particulate matter that will come from the unfiltered stacks. Stacks must be filtered.
Balgowlah Golf Course and Balgowlah Oval are currently the only public open areas for Balgowlah. They offer the chance to exercise in a safe environment and the golf course offers not only the opportunity to exercise at low cost it offers a chance to be involved in the community. All very important issues for the health and well being of residents. The Balgowlah Golf Course is also home to a diverse range of birdlife, small invertebrates and mature trees. As nothing exists in isolation having these mature trees and opportunities for invertebrates to live and flourish feeds the other ecologically sensitive areas of the wider area, namely Burnt Bridge Creek, Manly Dam and Lagoon, Duffy's Forest, Wakehurst Parkway and so on. It is also the lungs of Balgowlah. Repeatedly you refer to 'New and Improved' public open space in the EIS when what you are talking about is the removal of mature species to be replaced by immature. Wildlife cannot simply pack up and wait for construction to end and magically resettle at it's conclusion. Much like Koalas if a species is endemic to an area it is usually due to very particular factors and the suggestion that they will just move elsewhere is fanciful. And what of the disruption to the community? We will lose this precious environment as the Golf Courses in the wider area are private with waiting lists and high fees, so not like for like.
Northern Beaches residents are drawn to the area for its very particular, unique environment; an environment that many groups spend a lot of time nurturing and maintaining. The Beaches Link would have devastating consequences upon this. Further, many residents work from home and since the impact of COVID are more likely to continue to do so in increasing numbers so the need for an exorbitantly expensive tunnel is not warranted. What the residents want is money spent on public transport solutions that address climate concerns as well as the movement of people not more cars often with one person travelling in them. We were promised {by local member James Griffin at the last State election} a Dee Why to Chatswood transport link. Surely these solutions ought to be modelled after they are up and running not just on outmoded projections. Such a huge piece of infrastructure such as the Beaches Link should not be rushed.
Only today the State Government came out to say'planning rules will be drastically overhauled to make new developments encourage cycling over cars, ensure more people have access to green space, and build apartments with working from home in mind'. The case for the Beaches Link was not there to begin with but particularly in this time of Covid and precarious Climate Change and how people are changing the way they live accordingly the business and environmental case for The Beaches Link does not stack up. This is not the way forward or the way to sustain a vibrant community and city. I object to the Beaches Link.

I’m greatly concerned about Northbridge Sailing Club’s sailing area being greatly compromised. All our sailing courses will be affected by the maritime exclusion zones between Seaforth Bluff and Clive Park associated with the submerged tunnel works across Middle Harbour, and the temporary re-location of yacht moorings into a zone northwest of Seaforth Bluff.

NSC is a significant part of my life. I love sailing, and the works will mean sailing at NSC will become more difficult, less attractive, and even potentially completely infeasible. NSC is a jewel of a club, with an amazing history and a strong community ethos, helping people like myself to sail, a sport which is of particular importance in these Covid-19 affected times, being inherently a socially-distanced, outdoor pursuit that greatly assists with the collective mental health of the community (even in non-Covid times).

The impact on our club and community will be profound. With the sailing degraded we may lose members or be less able to attract new members, which affects the club’s viability. We depend on volunteers for our maintenance and improvements; if membership drops then there is simply less of a critical mass to regenerate the club following the Beaches Link construction.

We request TfNSW minimize the impact of maritime restrictions by urgently consulting in good faith with Northbridge Sailing Club, to help assist in retaining and regaining NSC’s attractiveness/viability.

I live in Northbridge above where this tunnel is to be built.
I am concerned about the ongoing noise and vibration in my home for many years. I am concerned about the tranquillity I have in my home will be disrupted, which will affect my chronic health problem.
I am concerned about the ongoing and unknown damage to my home that may be caused by the tunnel beneath me. I am concerned the state government will not acknowledge the damage the tunnel causes and ignore or make impossible the rectification of these issues caused by the drilling. This is evident in the recently completed project in the inner west of Sydney.
I am concerned about the huge increase in traffic in my area due to the truck movement on Flat Rock Gully.
I am concerned about the devastation of the environment in the Flat Rock Gully caused by the use of the site. Both wildlife and vegetation will be demolished and will never be able to be restored.
I am concerned about the air quality from the poor ventilation from vents in our area and nearby.
I am concerned about the dredging of the harbour floor and the devastation this will cause to the harbour directly below where I live and enjoy most days.
I am concerned about the noise this dredging will cause.
We need more studies to show the impacts on the environment of this whole project.
the project seems to be going ahead without the necessary environmental impact studies completed.
I feel like the peaceful environment that I live in will disappear and my home will not be my safe haven any more.

Considering the Flat Rock Gully was previously a site of waste disposal and incinerator, the best change was when the place was converted to precious and much needed green space. In a time when there is a staggering amount of workers now choosing to work from home and avoid traveling to an office, you can't pull that excuse as a key reason for this project. Demolishing a vital wildlife corridor and disrupting delicate land that has been keenly protected and embraced by the local community is disgusting. The short term ramifications of traffic congestion as well as noise disturbances and silica dust from the tunnelling of sandstone will be widely and strongly felt by residents. All this destruction, disturbance and annoyance to people and precious natural wildlife for a tunnel that will cost a fortune to construct AND be heavily tolled? If you even considered looking at the disappointing results of the Lane Cove tunnel, you'd see that it has been struggling to make its projected profits for a while now. No one likes tunnels, why dedicate millions of dollars toward this construction that is considered a major disappointment to the community, rather than look to alternatives. Public transport been heavily reduced in the Willoughby area, and instead of choosing to invest in public transport, this government has decided to spend our money on tolled roads that will eventually end up being privately owned (like Lane Cove tunnel) to benefit private developers and private transport companies. This development is a short term solution to a long term problem.

I OBJECT to the destruction of Flat Rock Gully!
I object on the basis: We STILL need to see:
1. A full contamination study of the soil in the old tip site before construction begins
2. A full risk assessment to the threatened species of flora & fauna at the site
3. Regular water monitoring of Flat Rock Creek and contaminants
4. Regular air quality monitoring with real time ALERTS that go off when the pollution / contaminants reach dangerous levels. This same sort of ALERT could be needed on the west side of Flat Rock Drive
5. A promise of replacing the 390 trees with better walking and cycling tracks.
I am concerned by over 500 truck movements per day – trucks will a constant and ever-present sight and sound for residents each weekday and from 7am-7pm on Saturdays. This noise will travel through the gully and upwards to residential areas.
7. I recommend an offer to residents in proximity to the dive site to be compensated for the cost of double glazing the windows of their homes to mitigate sound as the tunnelling will be operating 24/7.
8. A full risk assessment and remediation plan be devised for the catchment area - from Flat Rock Creek to Middle Harbour.

I object to the beaches link tunnel for the following reasons:

1. I object to the planned route under Northbridge. Originally a route was earmarked through Castlecrag and some of this land is still vacant. As the tunnel is underground I see no reason why the route should not be as originally planned via Castelcrag.
2. The location of Flat Rock Gully dive site is in the wrong spot. Preferably this should be in North Balgowlah in proximity of Wakehurst parkway where it has least impact on residents. If it must be located at Flat Rock gully it should be on the western side of Flat rock drive.
3. I am very concerned about the ongoing volume of dust which will be generated by loading 70 trucks with spoil per hour.
4. I am concerned that the 1.2 Ha allocated site and the acoustic shed is not nearly large enough to accommodate 70 truck movements and the generated spoil by 24 hour tunnelling.
5. I am very concerned with overflow spoil material from the tunnelling been stored outside the acoustic shed and with the subsequent truck loading generating unavoidable dust.
6. I object to the removal of trees as this is detrimental to the local residents as there’s no sound barrier to muffle the noise across the valley.
7. I am concerned about the volume and treatment of diesel generator exhaust fumes at the Flat rock Gully dive site assuming that generators will be used to power their equipment.
8. I am concerned about the noise of 70 truck movements per hour starting from the bottom of the hill climbing up Flat Rock drive fully laden will create unbearable noise to the residents without any protection whatsoever.
9. What is the maximum allowable noise limit for equipment operating in the construction area? What will you do if you exceed the limit?
10. I am concerned about the noise from the Acoustic shed as with 70 truck movements per hour the doors will be open all the time.
11. The majority of the houses in Northbridge were built with soft lime mortar and are not on concrete foundations. Any vibration to these houses that were built before 1950 may be disastrous.
12. The vibration from drilling & tunnelling which the machine will generate is a major problem as I believe in Northbridge the ironstone is a lot harder than in other areas. This concerns me greatly as the vibration will create problems to the buildings above the tunnelling.
13. I am greatly concerned with the time it may take from when property damage is identified to when it is repaired. Please state how long it will take to repair the damage once identified?
14. As we were given insufficient time to consider our response to the EIS will you allow us to come through at a later stage after the submission closing date with any questions which may concern us?

See attachment

I write this submission to you under the heading " most strongly object to this project " for the following reasons :
1 The E.I.S. appears to contain a number of misconceptions and statistics that are outdated for example " Travel time from Brookvale and Balgowlah to the City and beyond will save 30 minutes " . This forecast was made in 2016 and therefore has little relevance now , especially as currently 52% of Northern Beaches workers are working from home
( Covid )
2 The goals of the E.I.S. will not be achievable in that the tunnel will not ease traffic congestion and delay. The project will only provide a 10% reduction in Military Road traffic ( E.I.S. figures ) and it does nothing to enhance Public transport facilities . In fact, the disadvantages of the scheme will cause
a ) Traffic on Wakehurst Parkway to double
b ) Delays would occur at exits and entrances to the tunnel
c ) Wanganella Street would become severely overused, stilling more vehicles onto Condamine and Woodland Street.
3 This is a very expensive project for very little gain, and remembering that it is not going to achieve the goals as laid out in the E.I.S. proves it to be pointless . Investing in " clean " public transport options has far more merit .
4 The impacts of the construction of the Tunnel over six or more years will cause significant disturbance of four thousand local residents to include :
a Severe noise disturbance both day and night due to 24 hour tunnel excavation
b Possible damage to nearby homes from vibration caused by tunnelling
c 34 homes in Dudley Street being compulsory purchased (appalling for the homeowners )
d Local schools ( Punchinello, Balgowlah Boys , St Cecilias and Seaforth Primary ) will suffer unacceptable noise pollution as the worksite operates from 7am to 6 pm, and therefore throughout the school day .
e Airborne polluroom from unfiltered stacks affecting all who live within 1.2 metres of the stack. The government says it is too expensive to filter the emission stacks - at the expense of people's health, especially children and those with chronic medical conditions.
f Large trucks laden with spill will drive uphill towards Balgowlah Boys every minute or so. These trucks will also use other routes, particularly around Seaforth Public School and therefore hazardous to pupils and parents during drop - off and pick up times.
g Site workers will inevitably attempt to park on nearby streets surrounding the golf course, causing massive inconvenience to local residents.
h Reduction of water flow into Burnt Bridge Creek by as much as 80% causing contamination in periods of dry weather and threatening the local habitat .
i Polluted water running into Manly Dam to the extent that the dam could become unusable for leisure by the public, and therefore a lost facility
j Destruction of large areas of bushland causing disastrous environmental changes to both endangered animals and plants
k Disturbance of " sludge " in Middle Harbour causing release of toxins which will endanger water fitness at Sandy Bay, Clontarf Beach and elsewhere.
5 To date community consultation regarding the proposed project has been extremely poor , leaving residents feeling that they have not been listened to .
Finally , from a personal point of view, as a homeowner on the side of the golf course, ( and perilously close to the site of the emission stack) I would have to relinquish my family home should this project proceed. It would be impossible for me to return to live in my Home with my profoundly disabled daughter - the house having been designed and built to accommodate her needs for the remainder of her life. Her chest and breathing are already compromised ( as she has no mobility ) and any harmful inhalation of pollutant emissions would cause an earlie decline and loss of life .

Submission regarding the Environmental Impact of the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

Joint submission by Lee Purches and Peter Purches
26 February 2021

Notes
• This submission addresses our concerns in regard to the Beaches Link Tunnel section of the broader Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection.
• We have made no reportable political donations in the previous two years.
• We have used the following terminology:
EIS - Environmental Impact Statement
The project – refers to the Beaches Link Tunnel section of the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

Objection to the Beaches Link Tunnel project

We object to the construction of the Beaches Link Tunnel due to the following key factors:

1. Impact on the local community during construction
2. Long term impact on the health and well-being of the local community
3. Long term traffic implications and the lack of planning to address road infrastructure around already heavily congested streets in the local area and around the construction site
4. Destruction and risk to native bushland and water course areas
5. Impact on Middle Harbour and marine life
6. Socio-economic factors and longer-term benefits
7. The lack of adequate exploration of alternative transport solutions

Our objections are based on having taken an interest in the proposed project in its early stages, attending local information sessions, researching the EIS information provided by NSW Transport, listening to local concerns, and based on our knowledge as both a social worker and medical practitioner who have lived in the local area for many years, including growing up and going to school in the local area.

Attached is our full submission which details our objections and concerns regarding the construction of the Beaches Link Tunnel. Thank you for reading our submission.

Lee and Peter Purches

I object to this project, as evidenced by the Environmental Impact Statement, for the following reasons.

1. There will be adverse impacts on local traffic in North Sydney, Cammeray and my own area of north Cremorne. The Statement does not give enough attention to the increase in local traffic as drivers have fewer access points to the major roads and must take round-about routes to reach access points. We already have a number of 'failed intersections' locally and will have more with these developments
2. There is no meaningful comparison of the project with public transport alternatives such as rail linking to North Sydney or Chatswood. These comparisons should be in feasibility, cost, reduction of emissions and all aspects of social benefit.
3. There is little consideration of how total driving will increase if driving times are decreased, also how this affects local roads as well as major ones. This increase is counter to the stated aim of NSW to reduce CO2 emissions because of climate change concerns.
4. There will be major loss of green space, both at Cammeray Golf Course and Flat Rock Creek, during construction and permanently, just when the NSW Government is making statements about the importance of open space. North Sydney is already short of green space.
5. There is no adequate update on how COVID-19 has changed the situation, with decreased population growth and increased working-from-home. Also there is inadequate updating with developments such as new schools in the North Sydney/ Cammeray region.
6. There are still major concerns about air quality in my area because of the ventilation shafts at Cammeray. This concerns both gas and particulate matter emissions and particles from road friction and braking. Increased local traffic is relevant to this, as well as traffic on major routes. This is a health concern but also likely to reduce the value of housing assets in the region.
7. Access to the tunnels at Berry Street will further fragment North Sydney, making it a less attractive urban centre.

I OBJECT to this project because it will significantly impact the health, safety and well-being of my family. We live in the area and my children will attend a primary school that the EIS has shown will suffer unacceptably high levels of toxic air pollution during and post construction. Our local parks and wildlife (particularly flat rock gully) will be destroyed and this is unacceptable in the 21st century. The benefit to the areas impacted have not been quantified through the business case; the very issue of traffic congestion along Military Rd will not be eased by this tunnel because the majority of this traffic is local and the tunnel will NOT fix this!!
No alternatives have been considered, despite years of requesting these to be included. I’m imploring the government to legitimately re-consider this project.

I only object on the grounds that I believe that after the tunnel is built that Flat Rock Gully should be restored as it is now. It’s new purpose should not be determined by Council. It should be restored as a beautiful gully and bush land for walking track and nature as it is now.

The proposed shared path detour is dangerous with too much traffic and steep elevation, please keep the shared path open to promote active lifestyle, and gain community support for project.

The shared path is used by a lot of people (myself included) to enjoy traffic-free exercise, closing it will force everyone onto busy and challenging roads, and increase the likelyhood of injuries.

I have lived around DY for 6 decades. The congestion of traffic on our local roads is now at the point where everyday trips to work, school, sport, shops, recreation, visiting etc. is a frustrating, time consuming, environment destroying, nerve wracking experience. To say the least.
Dumping another 20 thousand cars and trucks everyday into Manly Vale, is this a joke or are you serious. Come out of the tunnel at Manly Vale then what, North along congested bumpy old concrete Pittwater Road or East down congested bumpy old concrete Sydney Road.
The local council is pushing for a B1 bus link between DY and Chatswood. Why not go with that, we have the buses and most of the road.
Dont waste OUR money on a dumb ass tunnel.

Traffic in and out of the peninsular continues to increase, as much in weekends as weekdays. We desperately need the tunnel. Public transport initiatives such as the B1 bus service are helping to improve transit options (while other changes such as the removal of E71 services have been seriously retrograde), there is a clear preference for personal transport options, which means we need roads.

Yes, there will be disruption and dislocation, but we need you to move quickly and decisively to minimise those.

There are many who vocally object to the tunnel but a much larger majority quietly support it.

Please get on with it.

I object to this new mega road.
Why is an alternative rail link not being investigated and costed?
New roads increase traffic and car trips, whereas rail ads exactly zero congestion along its path. Rail is more efficient, less polluting and less total cost overall for the community. It would provide a link for employees to the Sydney CBD, North Sydney and Macquarie Park. Whereas this road will allow ppl to simply get stuck in traffic and make all the mentioned trips completely impractical.

I am concerned about the environmental impact on Burnt Bridge Creek and the knock on effects to the flora and fauna if the flow of the creek is markedly reduced. I would like to be given guarantees that a solution will be researched and then implemented to protect the creek.

The proposal to put the five site on the eastern side of flat rock drive is unacceptable because the bush land will be difficult if not impossible to remediate back to its current state
I strongly support the alternative which is to locate the dive site on the western side of flat rock drive where the current baseball field is
This area will be easy and far more cost effective to remediate
The eis talked about community consultation-this is simply not true and if there was it was a very narrow sample of the community that was considered

I am objecting as a the impact on the local environment and community will be severe. Building Vehicle links is crazy and my view is we should be looking at metro links which provide a better lower emission option for future generations. Also the local disruption and pollution will be significant from at least 5 years which is not acceptable.

I am concerned about the diversion from the cycle path along Gore Hill and Epping Road. I am concerned that at a time when more people than ever are cycling to work in the city, those people will be diverted to busy roads putting them at risk and hampering traffic flows in an industrial/commercial area. Please reconsider the path, set up separate bike lanes or do something to mitigate this loss for 4 years. It will discourage active transport and push more cars on the road and more people crowded on public transport.