Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

As a nearby resident of the construction zone for the Beaches Tunnel and a parent of a Balgowlah Boys student I am deeply concerned about the adverse impacts of the construction and operation of the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel on the students, the teachers and staff, the school grounds, Balgowlah Oval and neighbouring properties.

These adverse impacts cover both the construction and operational phases of the proposed works which will severely impact on the whole school and residential community in terms of noise, dust, vibration, access, disruption, traffic and road safety, air quality and health, and access to open space and sporting facilities.

I am particularly concerned about noise from construction activities severely disrupting teaching and learning activities and adversely affecting the concentration and learning of students, teachers and staff at the school.

Traffic congestion will be experienced on Sydney Road and adjoining streets including Maretimo Street and the already congested Ethel Street during the construction phase. Ethel Street cannot currently support the amount of daily traffic and has long traffic queues every day. Adding to this the significant building works that have been underway for 12 months or more adjacent to the RSL has increased traffic and noise of the neighbourhood significantly. As well as these works it was only a short while ago that residents were subjected to ongoing nightworks while construction occurred around the Burnt Bridge deviation intersection. The residents in this area have had enough.

Students accessing the school on foot, by bicycle and skateboard, and by school and public buses and private vehicles, will experience traffic delays and reduced safety in the vicinity of the intersection of Sydney Road and Maretimo Street.

I am also concerned about safe pedestrian crossing of Sydney Road and the access road to ensure safe passage of the boys between the school and Balgowlah Oval. The boys would have to cross Sydney Road via the existing footbridge, then somehow safely negotiate a construction site and cross the access road to get to the oval. There must be safe pedestrian access between the school and Balgowlah Oval via the Sydney Road footbridge being maintained during the construction phase. A safe method for pedestrians to cross the access road during the construction phase is a must.

Balgowlah Oval is the only active open space within a short walking distance of Balgowlah Boys. The school heavily relies on Balgowlah Oval for school sport and PE classes. Northern Beaches Council has given permission for the boys to use Balgowlah Oval at recess and lunch times to supplement the limited open space on campus for an increasing number of boys in recent years and during construction they will have no access for sports and recreation.

In addition to air pollution from the exhausts of increased traffic on Sydney Road, Maretimo Street and Ethel Street, I am concerned that the tunnel ventilation outlet, located some 200 metres from the closest point of Balgowlah Oval and 322 metres from the closest point to the school and my property will result in poorer air quality, breathing difficulties and asthma experienced by users of the oval, the school population and local residents as the tunnel emissions flow up the valley.

I object to this proposal as it is currently outlined.

Attention: Director, Transport Assessments
Planning & Assessment, Department of Planning
Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

27/2/21

Objection: Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Upgrade – SSI_8862

I write to express my objection to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Project. I have done my best to read the extensive EIS documents at this very difficult time. I have significant concerns about the justification for this project particularly given that there is no published business case, it is not high on Infrastructure Australia’s priority list, the EIS demonstrates a significant risk to health and safety and the project and an alternative public transport option has not been fully scoped and compared.

I object to the project for the following reasons:

1. The timing of release of this project at the end of what has been a very challenging year. This project impacts a large number of schools and passes through highly residential areas. Families, community groups and schools have been under a huge amount of strain throughout the exhibition stage. School P&C’s did not have the opportunity to review the documents and parents were caring for children on school holidays. The 12,000+ paged documents are very difficult to read on screen and the Library was not allowing borrowing. The project should be re-exhibited well after the COVID-19 crisis has passed and when normal life returns ad when we understand the permanent changes that it has made.

2. I object to the project due to the contamination risks it presents to the environment and to human health and the negative impact on our precious waterways and green spaces. I use the Flat Rock Gully reserve daily for exercise and its ability to let me feel connected with the local natural habitat. If this project goes ahead it will irreparably damage this delicate ecosystem.

3. I object to the project due to the scale, extent and risk of groundworks in sensitive residential areas and foreshore environments. I currently live close to the Artarmon exit of the tunnel and am very concerned about dust pollution during construction. Additionally I am concerned about unfiltered emission contaminating local air quality once the tunnel is operational.

4. I object to the project due to the unreasonable level of impact on the Quality of Life of residents during the tunnel construction and operation because noise levels will become intolerable and roadworks will add to already congested thoroughfares.

5. I object to the project due to the threat to our biodiversity and green spaces. For example, the powerful owls and possums I grew up around will be heavily endangered by this project.

6. I object to the project as it is a tolled road and there is little evidence that it will alleviate current congestion.

7. I object to the project as it has a poor climate profile at a time when we should be looking to projects which reduce our emissions

8. I object to the project as there has been no publicly published business case and the costs demonstrated in the EIS seem to far outweigh the benefits. The EIS also fails to fully scope many aspects such as utilities and contamination which poses a risk to the project.

9. I object to the project because the B-Line buses have been successful in reducing congestion and no public transport alternative study has been done with which to compare this project.


This project is a missed opportunity to transform Sydney into a world class, healthy and sustainable city with a strong public transport system. The EIS demonstrates that this toll road will be extremely expensive to build and high risk with little benefit. I would ask that an alternative public transport feasibility study be published before any further planning occurs so that impacts and outcomes can be fairly compared.

Yours sincerely,

Sean
2/5 Olympia Road, Naremburn 2065

I have not made any reportable political donations in the past two years.

I am writing to object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway project. This is a project that is expected to cost NSW $14bn and likely a lot more and I find it very difficult to understand its benefits given the potential harm it will cause. Here are my main points for objecting to the project:

1) I don't see that there has been enough consideration given to alternatives to the proposed tunnel link eg public transportation. Climate change is upon us and we need to action this now. Please reference Sir David Attenborough who most recently said it's too late to avoid climate change but there is still time to achieve a balance. We should not be contributing to climate change by building more tunnels for cars and trucks. We should be thinking big, longer term and being brave by putting infrastructure that encourages mass and convenient public transportation around Sydney. This will keep cars off the road, encourage use of public transport, cut emissions, increase public health. We need to show the world that this is a city that has sustainabiltiy, innovation and environmental design at its core. Covid 19 has caused a hiccup to the way we live and travel. It should not be seen as a case for building a tunnel. There are likely to be less people needing to use a tunnel and the cost is likely to be prohibitive causing people to avoid using it.
We need to encourage usage of public transportation. A business case using current and projected data must be done to prove that a tunnel is justifiable.

2) I object to the detrimental impact that the building of the tunnel will have on the environment from a land and water perspective. In particular, I live in Northbridge close to Flat Rock Gully and it is very distressing to me that such a beautiful and precious piece of land will be disrupted and destroyed with no real guarantee of restoration. The dive site is expected to be where a toxic waste site sits. It has taken 25 years for this site to be restored by Willoughby Council and the hard work of volunteers to restore a wildlife corridor which residents from near and far have enjoyed and taken comfort from especially during covid. It is unbelievable that the NSW government would even consider a dive site in a location that will disrupt the biodiversity in the area given its history.
The potential contamination of Middle Harbour is also of major concern as this is an area used by many residents - for swimming, fishing, boating. There are many species of invaluable marine life that will also be impacted.

3) I have serious concerns about my home which is in close proximity to Flat Rock Gully and the tunnel. I am very worried about the potential for structural damage.

4) I also have major concerns about the noise, pollution and traffic impacts that the tunnel works will impose on our dense residential area which has a high number of elderly and also school age children. Increased traffic around the major Northbridge streets - Flat Rock Drive, Alpha Road, Sailors Bay Road, Strathallen Avenue - will pose increased stress to an already busy area, especially during peak hours. Whilst trucks may only enter and exit around the Southern side of Flat Rock Drive, the spill effect onto the other streets is inevitable. Safety to residents is a major concern as is noise and dust pollution.

5) The issue of unfiltered stacks around an area that has the highest number of school children in Australia is of major concern. The health impacts into the future will be enormous and this will have wider socio-economic consequences into the future.

6) There has not been enough wider community information and consultation on this project. A 12,000 page EIS is too much for any person to digest and understand in a short space of time. We Northbridge residents have to bear the brunt of a project which has minimal benefit for us but extensive detrimental impact. We need to be properly educated on the project, its impact and provided detail on design and construction. I understand that to date, it is only 25% design completed. This makes me very concerned for the 75% which could have a potentially huge detrimental impact on us. We need commitment to monitoring of noise, pollution, and traffic impacts. We need points of contacts for raising concerns and issues. We need a guarantee that Flat Rock Gully will be remediated and restored post completion to its current state, with trees re-planted and for the public and wildlife to inhabit.

There is a huge opportunity for NSW to transform itself into a sustainable, forward-thinking and highly liveable city and this project does not contribute to it. It is doing more of the same in encouraging cars on the road which contributes to pollution and emissions. Tolled roads are not what Sydneysiders want. Sydney has the highest tolled roads and it has been proven that people will avoid tolled roads if there is another option. This means surrounding residential streets are suffering due to the resulting congestion. I object to the project as it stands and we need to see a business case showing alternatives before this project proceeds any further.

Yours sincerely

Vivien Choong

I wish to express my objection to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Project. I have done my best to read the extensive EIS documents at this very difficult time. I have significant concerns about the justification for this project particularly given that there is no published business case, it is not high on Infrastructure Australia’s priority list, the EIS demonstrates a significant risk to health and safety and the project and an alternative public transport option has not been fully scoped and compared.

I object to the project for the following reasons:

1. The timing of release of this project at the end of what has been a very challenging year. This project impacts a large number of schools and passes through highly residential areas. Families, community groups and schools have been under a huge amount of strain throughout the exhibition stage. School P&C’s did not have the opportunity to review the documents and parents were caring for children on school holidays. The 12,000+ paged documents are very difficult to read on screen and the Library was not allowing borrowing. The project should be re-exhibited well after the COVID-19 crisis has passed and when normal life returns ad when we understand the permanent changes that it has made.

2. I object to the project due to the contamination risks it presents to the environment and to human health and the negative impact on our precious waterways and green spaces. Flat Rock Gully reserve is a wonderful area for residents in my area to do exercise and have recreation. We live near the city and this area is a precious commodity which should not be destroyed.

3. I object to the project due to the scale, extent and risk of groundworks in sensitive residential areas and foreshore environments for example,

4. I object to the project due to the unreasonable level of impact on the Quality of Life of residents during the tunnel construction and operation because when the planned digging commences in Flat Rock Gully reserve, there will be toxic pollution. Flat Rock Gully reserve sits on a former tip site and so much toxic waste will be disturbed by the digging and will negatively impact the health of my family and neighbours.

5. I object to the project due to the threat to our biodiversity and green spaces. For example, Flat Rock Gully reserve has a very unique biodiversity and will be completely destroyed by the project.

6. I object to the project as it is a tolled road and there is little evidence that it will alleviate current congestion. In addition, it will create unsustainable traffic during the construction phase in the Northbridge area. The proposed tunnel will also not provide any benefit for Northbridge residents as there no entry points close to our suburb. It is all PAIN no GAIN for us!!! I have always voted for the Liberal party but the Liberal party supporting this project is shameful and I plan to start voting for Labour to show my disappointment!!1

7. I object to the project as it has a poor climate profile at a time when we should be looking to projects which reduce our emissions.

8. I object to the project as there has been no publicly published business case and the costs demonstrated in the EIS seem to far outweigh the benefits. The EIS also fails to fully scope many aspects such as utilities and contamination which poses a risk to the project.

9. I object to the project because the B-Line buses have been successful in reducing congestion and no public transport alternative study has been done with which to compare this project.



This project is a missed opportunity to transform Sydney into a world class, healthy and sustainable city with a strong public transport system. The EIS demonstrates that this toll road will be extremely expensive to build and high risk with little benefit. I would ask that an alternative public transport feasibility study be published before any further planning occurs so that impacts and outcomes can be fairly compared.

1. Pollution and health consequences to children in particular. The tunnel elevation rising to the Deviation is steep and will cause increased pollution, and the 7km overall length brings a lot of pollution directed into a few places outlets only. The stack coming out into the existing golf course disperses pollutants around a small area and when there is rain, fog or low wind, the close vicinity of new sporting facilities will wear the brunt of the load. Kids in particular will play there the most, and dogs being walked along with adults and they will get a higher level of pollution and therefore long term health issues.

2. Local creek pollution and ecological damage. The stack pollution that falls in rain, fog and low wind will concentrate in the local creek over time, and cause long term irreparable damage to the ecology including but not limited to the Rosenberg’s Goanna, Eastern Pygmy-possum, Large-eared Pied Bat, Grey-headed Flying-fox, Powerful Owl, Red-crowned Toadlet, and the rare Galaxias brevipinnis, .
3. Further ecological impact on the important and threatened Grey-Headed Flying Fox and Large-eared Pied Bat communities. The stack pollution will build up and is close to the local bat community, potentially causing the sensitive flying foxes to end up sick or move to another location that may not be sustainable for themselves or other animals in the ecosystem.

4. Substantial negative ecological impact of the hydrology changes on the natural waterways and gold club dam. This will affect many species including the local lizards and flying foxes and bats in particular and the subsequent ecology.

5. Changed business case. The case was very basic and is now outdated due to Covid changes. A revised and current business case needs to be re-assessed, including 10 year changes in traffic volumes with more work from home and inter-linked vehicles, potential damage to the ecology and including stack filtration.

6. Inequality. The northern beaches people will be paying a premium in tolls, just to reduce traffic in Neutral Bay and Mosman, who are not paying for anything.

7. Poor government spending. The solution is a poor use of billions of dollars and years of inconvenience when we have so many more people working from home now and in the next 10 years we will have more autonomous vehicles, linked vehicle dynamics to make traffic flow better and some other solutions could be built faster and cheaper in the area. This is a bad use of ratepayers money.

8. Local roads cannot support tunnel traffic causing choke points. While a tunnel moves cars, little planning or infrastructure is included to dramatically reduce choke points which will further slow traffic, and make the travel time savings of the tunnel greatly reduced.

9. Traffic to Manly and Clontarf will be unsustainable. Already roads and car parks are filled to capacity on warm days on weekends. The increased traffic brought to the area through the convenience of a tunnel will further exacerbate this, and much of the traffic will flow along Sydney Road and Kenneth Street, which cannot increase capacity enough to cope. All side roads will then choke as well trying to get into these roads.

10. Bad business case without stack filters. If the cost of the filters (suggested by RMS as $100 million per year) is not affordable, then the project should not succeed as it is uneconomic. If cleaning or painting or toll collection were not affordable, the project would not succeed. Likewise, if filtration is not affordable, then the project is not economically sustainable so should be cancelled.

11. Precedent for filtration. A secondary excuse by RMS was that stack filtration would create a precedent. While we believe filtration should be on all tunnels over 2km long, you could set a standard of say 5km maximum, meaning only a couple of tunnels needed filtration.

12. Traffic inconvenience for 7 years due to construction and works in the Deviation which is already a busy road in peak hour. 7 years of inconvenience and delays barely makes up for the time saved at the end and the expense. This is a poor business case for the cost of time and money, compared to the end result.

13. Health liability and forewarning of long term health incidences and substantial legal costs for the government. I live in Pickworth Avenue close to the site so we will be at high risk of pollution damage once built, and I am formally issuing notice that this is a potential health risk site and years down the track this notice will be used as evidence on notice being given to the government proving you were advised, but took no notice, and therefore are negligible. This kind of class action from other affected people would cost many millions to the government, and sadly, significant health impact to those involved. Without filtration, this project cannot be considered.

I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection on the following grounds:
• The original price estimate for the tunnel was approx. $8B and even though the project details have not yet been finalised, the project is now costed at $12B – an increase already of 50%. Where is the detailed business case showing the return to the community for such a large investment?
• The loss of the Balgowlah Golf Club and its many significant trees and green space is unacceptable.
• The size, scale and design of the ventilation outlets. Why are these not being placed well away from people’s homes & why are they not properly filtered as happens everywhere else in developed countries?
• No dedicated public transport lane in the tunnel. The changes already flagged by TfNSW show that public transport is growing in Sydney & if efficient public transport is available, people will use it instead of cars.
• No clear plans for future clean public transport in the tunnel, such as trackless trams and patronage targets for these
• Inadequate analysis of increased traffic on local roads, in particular approaching the link road in Balgowlah and associated impacts on residents and local schools
• Protection of flora and fauna in Manly Dam and Garigal National Park. The Dive site at Seaforth will be on the hill above Wakehurst Golf Course, how will you ensure the drainage from this site does not impact Manly Dam below? Manly Warringah War Memorial Park holds particular significance in remembering fallen service personnel from the First and Second World Wars, as well as being of significance to past and present-day members of the Defence forces. It is the only war memorial to be created by conserving natural bushland. This needs to be fully protected.
• Loss of water flow in Burnt Bridge Creek and downstream impacts on Queenscliff Lagoon and local ecosystems
• The movement of contaminated sediment in Middle Harbour from the works at the Spit and the run-off from near Tunks Park is very likely to have a significant negative impact on the ecology of Middle Harbour and the recreational use of the waterway all the way to the main harbour.
• The identification of biodiversity impacts in surrounding areas to the project area not in the EIS
• There appear to be inadequate water quality controls at all construction sites
• Truck movements removing soil from tunnelling sites are going to have major negative impacts on the roads all across the local area as well as on the people living along their movement routes for years.
• Contractor parking and impact on residential streets will be significant as the roads around those areas are already busy
• Project conditions that guarantee the restoration of temporary construction sites post- construction and the delivery of new open space and recreation facilities at Balgowlah are very weak and open to amendment.

With regard to the project concept I object to:
The concept of a traffic tunnel which will foster the use of cars to the detriment of public transport use. According to credentialed experts the savings in travel time will be eliminated in a few short years but the effect of extra car traffic will affect other parts of the road network.

The creation of the Balgowlah link road which has Sydney Road access at the most congested point in the local network.
The destruction of rare green space (the golf course) which is inconsistent with the new SEPP Design and Place objectives. Replacement of trees and grassy areas by hard playing fields and parking spaces does not compensate for the loss of a natural environment.

The lack of a publicly released business case and the use of outdated data to support projected usage.

The fanciful projections of time saved (observed as a regular peak hour commuter).

With regard to proposed specific activities I object to:
The location of the Balgowlah link road junction with Sydney Road. Since there is no access from Maretimo St. the access does not have to be directly opposite. The road should be moved further west (as it was in earlier plans) and the cricket nets and trees on the west of the oval must be maintained. Without moving the road the oval will be effectively unusable since children will not be safe right next to the road. The oval is extensively used by two local schools.

The possibility that the existing Balgowlah oval will be affected. It is promised that the oval will be untouched but the location of the access road and the conceptual plan indicate that it will not remain.

The Concept Plan for Balgowlah golf course recreational facilities. Although this is proposed as “conceptual” it appears to be prepared with the assistance of Northern Beaches Council and perhaps one stakeholder. The plan must be developed with immediate involvement of local residents in a Community Reference Group as proposed. The Concept Plan in fact determines the location of the Link Road which, as mentioned above, is in the wrong place. The Concept Plan must be scrapped thereby giving flexibility to the Link Road location. A related issue is the absolutely unacceptable location of an amenities block next to houses.

The location and unfiltered design of the Balgowlah ventilation stack. Which authority will take responsibility of the health effects of the stack on the sporting public in the recreational areas?

The lack of detail of the height and bulk of the ventilation stack in the Balgowlah Golf Course which is missing in the EIS photographic impressions. There is much information about the health effect so the design must have been completed.

The lack of specific mitigation solutions to the higher noise and pollution levels advised for houses adjoining the golf course.

The lack of detail about the level of the link road and its noise and lighting effects on nearby residents. The road needs to be constructed at a height which minimises effects on nearby residents

The significant effect of dust and noise to residents near the Balgowlah golf course, both during and after construction. There is huge amount of detail which concludes that the health effect on locals will be high but no solution is proposed.

The lack of specific restrictions on parking in adjacent streets to the Balgowlah golf course during construction, particularly Pickworth Avenue, as promised in information sessions. The FAQ suggests parking in local streets will not be tolerated but the EIS specifically states that overflow parking is available in Pickworth Ave.


The lack of solutions to the traffic congestion which will be evident during and after construction, particularly north of the Burnt Bridge portal. Leaving this to the Northern Beaches Council is not an option.

I object to the construction of the tunnel on the following grounds:
1. The smokestacks are huge, unsightly and unfiltered. In current estimates, they are expected to release double the maximum recommended limit of particulates (as recommended by the WHO). The stacks will be releasing toxic gases in the immediate proximity to our homes, a child-care centre and School (Balgowlah Boys).
2. An accurate and comprehensive assessment of the impact on the health of local children by this proposal is a huge gap. Experts chose to exclude Balgowlah Boys and 2 pre-schools from specific noise and air pollution assessment despite all three being in the immediate proximity of the site. (ie closer than those the experts chose to include).
3. The project has a very high cost and low evidenced benefit.
4. A significant proportion of local residents favour a public transport solution – this proposal adds more traffic to roads across the Northern Beaches.
5. The potential travel savings from the Northern Beaches (e.g. Manly Vale) do not stack up
6. The EIS is light on detail but alludes to increased congestion on local roads as a result of the proposal. Increased delays are expected at a number of significant junctions.
7. The EIS outlines how 500 heavy truck movements a day will be dredging up earth from 2023 to 2028. This will result in a huge noise and air pollution on our street and the surrounding areas. It will lead to traffic chaos and increase the road safety risks for children and adults for at least 6 years.
8. Huge volumes of contaminated sediment will be barged out of Middle Harbour past local beaches and causing significant risk of toxic chemicals spillage. The EIS recognises the risk but does not include any plans for mitigation or compensation.
9. Reduction in green space in contradiction to State and Local recommendations re: increasing the footprint. Loss of Balgowlah Oval during a significant period of construction.

Required measures if construction of the Northern Beaches Link Project proceeds:
1. The emission stacks must be filtered.
2. Improved health protection measures to be implemented to mitigate against the impact of silica dust created from the tunnelling through sandstone. Current measures proposed appear woefully inadequate.
3. Balgowlah Boys school to be included as a sensitive receiver for purposes of noise and air pollution.
4. No contaminated soil to be stored onsite- spoil to be immediately sealed removed from nearby residential areas.
5. All houses in the nearby area to be offered a free and independent pre-construction property condition. A compensation scheme to be implemented for house cracking and settlement, for all cracks.
6. Air quality monitors need to be installed on Coral Street, near Balgowlah Boys campus, with real time readings to be publicly available. Introduction of an alert system to local residents if pollutant safety levels are exceeded.
7. Noise monitors to be installed in multiple, residential areas surrounding the site with 24/7 measurement and reporting. Clear mitigation strategies to be developed.
8. Deterrent penalties to be applied for every occasion that pollution (air and noise) level limits are exceeded.
9. A plan for alternative accommodation to be offered to local residents during noise events at night-time construction.
10. To prevent Coral Street becoming a rat-run, turning left from Coral Street onto Sydney Road should be prohibited at all times, with Resident traffic exempted. This would be an extension of the current exemption in place until 10am Monday-Friday. Alternatively, Coral St should be converted to a cul-de-sac.
11. Respite periods during noisy works phases. Respite periods should be planned and communicated in advance allowing local residents to plan for business calls, children sleeping etc.
12. All construction traffic should be fitted with noise and pollution control devices (including quackers to reduce the impact of tonal reversing alarms).
13. No construction vehicles must be permitted to wait or park in Coral Street or other local roads.
14. Workers and contractors to park in designated parking hubs (away from residential areas) and be prohibited from parking on Coral St. There is already limited street parking for residents and staff at the school.
15. Clear plans to minimise impact to the local road network which is already at capacity, particularly around Seaforth roundabout and Ethel St. Consideration of the noise pollution of should be factored into planning so local residents are not subjected to traffic noise nightly.
16. A site-specific hotline and/or website to be established for the receipt of complaints and breach reports from members of the public. Sharing and transparency of these complaints and actions taken through this process is essential.
17. The health risk assessment be updated to reflect possible/likely scenarios rather than “best case”. This should account for human error and changes in data

As a frequent user of the Lane Cove to Narrumburn cycle way , I am very concerned about the impacts this project will have on my capacity to get to work.
I have attempted to use the roadways around this area and found the situation dangerous with some near misses with trucks and cars.
Can we work to ensure the bike track remains usable throughout the duration of this much needed development?
Regards
Ian Dunlop

Please see attached document supporting my objection

Dear Sir/Madam

I have 3 key objections to the proposed construction.

1) As a resident directly impacted by the proposed construction I feel ill equipped to determine whether the tunnel will deliver sustainable, long terms benefits. This is despite having attempted to read the EIS and having attended 3 seminars on the proposal. I remain unconvinced that the development will be worthy of the severe and significant impact to our lives for the next decade and thereafter once the tunnel is operational. The areas which will benefit the most from the proposed construction, Mosman/Cremorne and the northern part of the northern beaches, are not the areas which have to withstand severe disruption for an inordinate period of time. How does the government ensure this is not a case of majority prevails? We have three young children whose entire high schooling years will be encompassed by the development zone. This is not what we envisaged when we chose to move to this area.

2) We have not been provided with clear information on the extent of construction impact to our house, our street, our neighbourhood. We have only recently emerged from the B Line construction which was enormously disruptive to our lives in all ways including through major night disruptions and traffic delays. If this project proceeds we need precise and detailed information regarding how the construction will affect us across the ~7 year construction period. Periods of respite from construction must be provided and measures must be taken to effectively mitigate the daily and repeated impact on our quality of life. We need this information to make informed decisions about for our family and our future.

3) There can be no compromise on ensuring the highest available treatment of emissions to ensure the air quality remains entirely safe and that the visual impact of the smoke stacks is minimised.

Yours sincerely.

My main objection is the affect on the micro environment of flat rock drive. If the project takes five years the exact environment cannot be recreated as was. This is an area of mature bushland unique in its closeness to the city.
Also If this project goes ahead I object to the shutting down of traffic access to exits at Miller St and Brook St for the duration of five years while the tunnel is dug.The volumes of traffic using willoughby rd will have an affect on air quality, traffic flow and access to local businesses.

I object to the Beach Link Project in a number of ways.
1) Damage to the local environment and habitat is unacceptable, for Balgowlah, Wakehurst Parkway and Manly Dam.
2) Unfiltered exhaust stacks are unacceptable causing increased pollution to the local area for school and residents. This really needs to rectified before any further progress is made. - Why not use the tunnel for a link to the new Metro Lines etc.
3) The increased traffic on the local roads due to the current plan (with Traffic lights is crazy) its simply unacceptable and will cause major rat runs on the local Balgowlah roads, increased potential for accidents on local roads.
4) The disruption that will be caused during the tunneling, by the heavy vehicles is again unacceptable from a traffic and safety point of view.
5) The Noise pollution caused by the tunneling and fabrication works and heavy industrial equipment and trucks at the Balgowlah oval is simply not acceptable.
6) Summary the project currently has very limited benefits at a massive cost financially, environmentally and to the local residents that will have to suffer through the construction.

Please stop the Beaches Link Project in its current format and use the money to build a new part of the Metro Train Systems with self driving electric non-polluting trains, let bring the Northern Beaches in the 21st century and part of World Leading City - Sydney, leveraging state of the art technology and transportation infrastructure. A system links the Northern Beaches to the rest of Sydney and beyond (think directly link to the Airport).

Thanks for considering these objections, lets get the right solution for this transportation problem, not a $10B pollution generating failure.

Please find my objection attached.

Sent on behalf of our Association which advocates for flying-fox conservation

Attention: Director, Transport Assessments Planning & Assessment, Department of Planning Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124
Date: 26 February 2021
Objection: Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection Upgrade – SSI_8862

PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENT

I am a resident on Dudley St Balgowlah that will be living in the midst of this project for the whole construction time. Even though I am as close as you can be to the construction, initially I could see the reasons why we need a tunnel, and maybe the benefits of it when completed. After listening to all info available and having as close a look as possible at the impacts, I now strongly object to the project.
To me the biggest concern is that there has not been an alternative put forward. There is so much scope for public transport on the Northern Beaches that would provide solutions in line with worldwide standards that consider solving the problem whilst protecting the environment.
Personally, my biggest concern is the health and well being of my family and my community. This concern has many stages - from construction to completion our community's health is being sacrificed for this project.
During construction we will be subjected to increased pollution from massive truck movements and dust. We will be subjected to 11 hours a day of construction noise and 24/7 tunneling noise and vibration and frequent night works that will disturb our sleep. Our air quality will be hugely reduced and our stress levels hugely increased. The health impacts of this can only be severe.
If the project goes ahead there needs to be procedures put in place to protect out health.
Those of us that are so obviously affected need to be provided with relief accommodation for not only a night here and there but for the time that we are bearing the brunt of these impacts - yes, possibly years. I live on Sydney Rd near the entrance where 2000 trucks and vehicles that will be entering, queuing and idling in front of my property. I know what one bus every 10 minutes can do so the fact that there will be so many is extremely distressing.
We will need double glazing and air purification systems installed throughout our buildings.

My business, which is a natural therapies clinic is located here and there is no way it will be able to continue under these circumstances.

We should also be provided with pre construction property conditions so that if damage occurs due to tunneling induced damage form vibrations, we can be compensated at no cost to the owner.

From an environmental perspective, I also am extremely concerned about the impacts.
Contaminants - how can it be justified to dredge up contaminated areas without proper risk assessment of really knowing the damage that will be done to not only our community and environment but also those working on the project.
The public has a right to a FULL assessment prior to approval. A realistic one, not based on best case scenarios.
Also our bush land that is environmentally sensitive and houses threatened species should NOT be destroyed or disturbed.

We will be subjected to years of noise, dust and various other disturbances, as well as emotional stress for such a small benefit. The studies that show that more roads create more traffic need to be considered. Surely we can't destroy so much of our environment and adversely affect thousands of lives only to be exactly where we are today?
I sincerely hope other options, namely public transport will be explored.
If not, then at least this very flawed plan needs further consideration.

My husband and I live in the area of the Burnt Bridge Creek which I walk along daily with my 2 dogs. I also own and run a medical clinic locally in Wanganella St which is very close to the Balgowlah Golf Course site that is obviously going to affected . I am very concerned about the effect of the construction of the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway on the flow of water in the creek and the effect on local endangered species such as the Eastern Pygmy possums and Grey headed Flying Foxes and also the multitude of other species both in the creek ( frogs , eels, fish etc) and around the area - birds, Brush turkeys, reptiles of many kinds and many other animals and insects.
I am not against the tunnel per se and I think it will mean a much quicker route into the city, but I am very concerned about the future of our local creek and would like to see if the creek can be saved and another route found for the construction of the tunnel. I am also concerned that the tunnel will mean more cars rather than more public transport in and out of the city and would ultimately prefer a really efficient rail/ bus system. Thank you for considering the views of local residents as if the creek can be saved the local residents are more likely to be happy to put up with all the construction noise, disruption to traffic , and vibration.
Many thanks Susan Austin and Chris Gollan

I am a resident of Cammeray and object to the project. I object to use of unfiltered smoke stacks and the increased air pollution/decreased air quality that will result. I suffer from multiple environmental allergies and have ongoing sinus issues as a result (for which I have had surgeries). I am concerned that the pollution from the unfiltered smoke stacks will impact my health and exacerbate my allergy and sinus issues. The smoke stacks should be filtered. This is done overseas and should be done to maintain healthy air quality for local residents.

I am also concerned about the impact that the project will have on Flat Rock Gully. I run through Flat Rock Gully multiple times a week and constantly see other runners and bike riders, families out enjoying walks, people taking their dogs for walks and children learning to ride their bikes on the tracks. It adds a great sense of community to the area, especially during COVID when there are more limited opportunities to come together and interact as a community. I would hate to see that resource be lost.

Finally, I question the need for the project. Surely in 2020 the focus should be on getting cars off the road and building an efficient, reliable and convenient public transport system.

I think the project will be brilliant for the northern beaches! Long over due