Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

More thought of the impacts needs to be given to this proposal.
Stacks near schools and child care centres need to be filtered. This is what Gladys wanted when she was in opposition.
If the Tunnel is to go ahead more provision for public transport must be made and the entrances to the tunnel in the northern beaches should be extended so that emissions are not near populated areas - this is possible and should be done. This change and the impact of it should be considered before any further work on the proposed tunnel is undertaken.

I OBJECT to the project on the following grounds:
a) I believe that the modelling used to justify the project is out of date / flawed. Traffic conditions are changing as a result of COVID 19 pandemic and the increased uptake of 'Working from Home' arrangements means that the need for this extreemly expensive project must be re-assesed.

b) Even if the project were to go ahead, I still OBJECT on the grounds that
i) the projected travel time savings do not take into account the increased traffic leading into the portals and the resulting bottle necks and rat-runs that will DECREASE the benefit for local residents
ii) the prolonged period of time while construction traffic, noise and pollution will adversely affect residents living close to the works
iii) the widening of the Wakehurst Parkway will adversely affect the native flora and fauna through the destruction of habitat. This is not offset by a few passageways and fauna bridges
iv) the increased run-off from the wider road will adversely affect the quality of the water in Manly Dam
v) the pollution venting towers will be a visual eye-sore, and possibly redundant if the uptake of electric vehicles is widespread going into the future
vi) increased traffic (both during construction and possibly once in operation) will reduce property prices in the affected areas.
vii) Burnt Bridge Creek, which is valuable both as a natural resource for residents and a corridor for endangered wildlife, will be severly degraded.

3. The money could be better spent improving the public transport in the area. Everybody appreciates the B1 service, but the reduction in alternative routes has not been welcomed. More busses, serving more areas, directly to the centres (Warringah Mall, Chatswood, North Sydney, City) would be a far better target for rate payer taxes.

4. Despite platitudes to the contrary, I believe that the true beneficiaries will be the multi-national construction and transport companies, who once again will make promises they can't keep, resulting in over-time and over-spend. How much are they donating to political parties to be in this position?

Many thanks for reading this far,
Regards
Peter Marshall

I am a Balgowlah Resident and STRONGLY OBJECT to the Beaches link project.
-Impact on the environment due to the loss of over 12ha of bush land, native endangered wildlife and plants. That WONT be recovered and put back after the ridiculous widening of the Wakehust Parkway to a multi lane road.
-Impact to the natural waterways that all lead to manly dam, the burnt creek and natural waterways that lead down to the ocean. the impact cant be recovered for the protect Flying Fox habitat that rely on these water ways along with all the other protected animals. the water ways will just become stormwater and polluted from construction.
-the impact of 24/7 construction of noise and traffic impacts to Balgowlah residents will result in rat runs of small local streets that are generally one way as they dont allow 2 cars to pass. all trying to get onto the spit bridge. the impact of constuction workers taking up resident parking as they work 12 hour days 6 days a week. littile work has been done in this project to address these issues.
-the impact to our suburb of large trucks lining the roads waiting their turn to be filled from the tunnelling. i saw this when the northern beaches hospital was being built.
-Air Quality will be a big issue both during the construction with dust from destroying Balgowlah oval to become a work site and then after many years later the emissions stack that apparently will cost to much to be filtered (despite in Europe they are all with filtration) and it will be equivalent to an 8 story building. the fancy drawings are very misleading. The quality of air will impact a far wider range than is lead to believe with many schools, day care centers and us local residents that TfNSW seems to think is acceptable.
-there has not been enough community consultation, and the little that there is more people object to this project by a mile than agree to it.
- this project is based on information modelling of 2016 (so its already outdated) and the impact of traffic back then to 2037 is not what it is now in 2021. More people work from home now due to covid-19 and with the building of this even more will be working from home so the need for this beaches link tunnel will become null and void. it takes 35 mins to get to the city now so why would we need a tunnel that will take the same length of time??? all roads still lead to military road and that isn't changing.
Lets not destroy what is a beautiful part of Sydney and why we love living here.

We object to the construction of the Northern Beaches Tunnel Link as it is going to have a
catastrophic impact environmentally, not only in the Seaforth/Balgowlah/Clontarf area but a
flow on affect for the whole Northern Beaches Peninsula.

The groundwater flow into Burnt Bridge Creek would be significantly reduced (80%) whilst
the tunnels are being built, and further reduction (96% - EIS, Appendix N, pg 100, pg 116)
after completion. This will impact on the vegetation that relies on a moist environment along
the creek and vital habitat for the wildlife corridor. It will also affect structurally the
properties bordering the creek when the ground becomes dried out. In addition, the remaining
water will become polluted flowing into Manly Lagoon and Queenscliff Beach.

Destroying 12 hectares of valued bushland by TfNSW to widen Wakehurst Parkway and clearing a construction
site at Kirkwood Avenue again threatens the native wildlife and their habitats which cannot be
replaced or recreated in kind. We feel further community consultation and assurances must be
done to preserve the ecological corridor along Burnt Bridge Creek, Wakehurst Parkway and Manly Dam.

Pollution from wastewater generated from the construction sites will regularly overflow into
Manly Dam and Curl Curl Creek especially after heavy rain. This will affect the sensitive
biodiversity of these areas, making it unsuitable for human recreation as well.

The risks for the community from the disturbance of sludge on the bottom of Middle Harbour are
unacceptable. The tides will carry this sludge with its high levels of toxins towards popular
communal areas of Sandy Bay, Clontarf Ocean Pool, and Spit Marina. We need guarantees from
TfNSW that our waterways do not become polluted.

Of great concern is the Government's refusal to have filtration in the ventilation stacks
especially when so close to residents and local schools such as Balgowlah Boys High School,
Seaforth Public School and Saint Cecilia's Primary School. We believe there are no "safe levels"
of exposure and ultimately the tunnel project will increase levels of pollutants and toxins
to the surrounding area.

Thousands of residents will be subject to excess noise and vibrations from the construction of the
project, including damage to homes. Consultation with the community should be considered for when
night work can be conducted and restricting types of work within standard construction hours.
A condition of approval of the project would require an independent assessment of noise and vibration
impacts from construction to be done before construction commences.

Another affect of the project is the impact on local traffic during and after construction. TfNSW
acknowledges the traffic congestion in Manly Vale and Balgowlah will increase significantly during
and after construction. Therefore, a tunnel is not going to solve traffic congestion but increase it.

Restrictions must be placed on the volume and timing of truck movements carrying spoil that ensures
local streets are not impacted. One truck per minute using local roads will create noise, pollution,
congestion, and safety concerns for local residents and children. This does not seem feasible for
the construction duration of approximately 5-7 years (or possibly longer). Guarantees are also needed
to ensure construction workers are not permitted to park in local streets as this becomes a major
problem for local residents.

Overall, induced demand resulting in more congestion and longer delays on local roads around the tunnel
entrances will eliminate any travel time savings in the tunnel.Having travelled from Seaforth to Campbelltown
via the Harbour Tunnel and M5 Motorway and tunnels for employment for approximately 5 years (2012-2016),
I personally experienced many of the problems associated with using these tunnels.It only took 1 truck or
car to break down or an accident such as a truck getting stuck in the tunnel for traffic chaos to ensue.
The average travelling time especially during peak times went from 1 and 1/2 hours to 2-3 hours. The average
cost from the tolls on this daily journey was $16.80 per day (with regular increases throughout the time
frame).

Essentially, the tunnel is a dead end construction particularly on the Northern Beaches side as it
doesn't connect with any other road network - it will merely funnel more cars onto the local roads
at Balgowlah, Manly Vale, and Brookvale, especially during the summer months.

There are too many uncertainties, long term problems and extensive environmental damage to make this a viable
solution to transport problems. Having more residents on the Northern Beaches working from home presents
opportunities to increase local public transport options (such as extending the successful B-Line buses).

In summing up: we are concerned the government is rushing the decision to proceed with this major project.
The Northern Beaches Link Tunnel will have a disastrous impact on the lifestyle and well-being of
residents during the long construction phase and cause long term, irreparable damage to our precious
environment and green spaces.

Regards,
Kerry Anne Bennet & Family

The costs, risks, and negative impacts of this project greatly out-weigh the benefits.
Environmental Risk - Heavy metals and PFAS have been detected in Middle Harbour which are highly hazardous to human health. While the state indicates that there is a plan to protect against release of harmful materials, there is obviously a very real material risk that things will not go 100% to plan, and a contamination event occurs. Middle Harbour has numerous sites used for water activities by families, school groups, and clubs. Contaminants have also been found in the groundwater and surface water around Flat Rock Gully, which have the potential to be released.
It is bizarre that in these times when the world is so focused on reducing global warming by getting people out of their cars and onto public transportation that the state government is focused on building more roads rather than choosing more environmentally friendly options that promote public transport. Evidence demonstrates that building more roads simply puts more people in cars.
If the project proceeds, environmental protections must include:
• A full risk assessment prior to approval and sign off
• Testing of the Flat Rock tip prior to approval and funding
• A reconsideration of Immersed Tube at Middle Harbour
• Real time/ Alert Style Air Quality Monitors at Bicentennial Reserve to keep kids safe
• Real time/ Alert Style Monitoring at Northbridge Baths
Economic - The state's plan to pay for the road tunnels clearly demonstrate that the project is not economically viable. If it was economically viable, the users of the roads would be willing to pay a toll that would be sufficient to fund the cost. But that is not the case. The toll on the existing harbour tunnel is scheduled to terminate this year. However the government has indicated that in order to pay for the new tunnels, they will not only retain the existing toll but INCREASE it by charging tolls in both directions. They have also indicate that they may increase the toll on both the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Eastern Distributor by charging tolls in both directions, all to pay for the new tunnels. This forces drivers to pay for the new tunnels who aren't even using them, and who are also suffering the negative environmental impacts.

Submission attached

Please see attachment

Dear team

I strongly support the project and believe it will be a game changer in improving traffic congestion in our area. We currently have two major access roads to the city. As we live right near the spit bridge we tend to use this more often than warringah road. We support NB Council position that the project should take into account the local ecological and rat run impacts during the EIS project. We don’t believe any further time is needed for the submission process as ample time has bee provided and this will only serve to delay the start.
We look forward to hearing progress on the project.
Sincerely

I’m very concerned about the impact of this project on Northbridge Sailing Club where My children and I are members. The location of the coffer dams will have a huge impact on the clubs ability to run training courses as much of the skills building is conducted on the beach at Clive Park and in the waters directly between the proposed coffer dams.
In addition, most of the racing courses are located in the zone where it’s proposed to either put coffer dams, relocated moorings or the escorted transit zone.
This will severely impact the viability of the clubs future if they are unable to conduct courses and racing for an extended period of time during dredging and while the escort rules are in place.
I’m extremely concerned that the proposed escort zone will make it impractical if not impossible to navigate on a regular basis which will result in the club being restricted to an limited area where there are a lot of moorings so therefore is unsuitable for racing or regular sailing.

I understand the need for, and importance of the Beaches Link Project.

I am a member of the Northbridge Sailing Club and I am very concerned about the potential impacts on the sailing club. It is a longstanding, successful and vibrant sailing club that provides sailing for members of all ages - young kids right through to seniors of 80 plus. In this respect it fulfills an important role in the social and physical well-being of the community.

As I understand it the proposed plan would significantly impact on the access of the club to Middle Harbour, especially the water between Seaforth and Clive Park - potentially cutting in half the sailing course. As the club mainly sails on Sunday I would like to think that access is not restricted on this day of the week given it is highly unlikely that construction work is undertaken on Sunday. Similarly I request that the construction is managed in such a way to maximuse access to the water-way and strike an appropriate balance between the building of important infrastrastructure and the disruption and impact on other members of the community who, to be frank, will not directly benefit from the building of said infrastructure.

I add my direct endorsement and support to the more detailed submission made by the the Northbridge Sailing Club (NSC)

I 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'm fourteen and I sail at NorthBridge most Sundays

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 believe it is not a long term solution. It benefits a small number of people on the northern beaches peninsula. Most people moved to the peninsula knowing that transport links were limited and this isolation was part of the attraction. It will create a lot of traffic on secondary roads. As far as can see Mosman, Neutral Bay & Cremorne are the only winners because real estate values will increase. The impact on the nature reserve at Flat Rock is immense & if the project goes ahead the tunnel works should be relocated to the industrial area of Artarmon.

I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Upgrade – SSI_8862 because of the significant negative impact that it will have on bushland and wildlife habitat, in particular in the areas of Flat Rock Gully and Manly Dam.
Of these, I am more familiar with Flat Rock Gully which provides beautiful walking tracks and green space, close to residential areas.
I object strongly to the placement of the dive site for the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel at the top of Flat Rock Gully and the use of Clive Park and Middle Harbour as a construction site for an immersion tunnel. Several hundred trees will be potentially or directly impacted in the construction site at Flat Rock Gully. An area that has already been cleared of bush would be a much more suitable site and more easily restored when work has finished.
I object to the project because of the risk of contamination of creeks and of Middle Harbour following the disturbance of land that has previously been a tip. Local creeks and waterways will be at risk of pollution from the disturbance of toxic materials in the tip site. They will also be at risk from elevated salinity and siltation. Excavation of Middle Harbour sediment may release heavy metals, pesticides and tributyltin. Consultants should be engaged to measure water quality in the creek before, during and after construction to check for erosion, contamination from the site and elevated salinity and sediment levels.
I object to the project because hundreds of species of mammals, birds, frogs, reptiles and aquatic animals will lose their habitat or be driven away. Most animals cannot be moved, as has been suggested, and many will be killed or injured if this is attempted. Biodiversity offsets are not a satisfactory replacement for loss of local habitat. The policy of offsetting merely allows the clearing of bushland in urban areas and leads to local extinction.
Flat Rock Reserve is a declared Wildlife Protection Area that provides habitat for small birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs. It is a key part of the network of wildlife corridors required to maintain biodiversity across Sydney. Sydney is losing so many of its precious areas of urban bushland and we must do what we can to preserve what remains.
I object to the project because a full study of wildlife has not been carried out in Flat Rock Gully, Middle Harbour and nearby bushland. There should be a full assessment of biodiversity in and around the area to be destroyed in Flat Rock Gully. All trees should be checked for hollows. Animals and birds on the construction footprint and in nearby bush will be driven away by loss of habitat, food and breeding sites and by the noise, lights, vibration and traffic.
I am concerned that there is not a firm commitment to rehabilitate the construction site and return it to bushland when work is finished. There have been suggestions that the site might be used as sports fields. This is unacceptable. Areas of urban bushland are so important and the affected area must be returned to bushland. Trees and green space are more and more important as the climate warms.

Whilst I acknowledge the manifold benefits of the project, in addition to numerous temporary inconveniences that will result from the construction phase, my primary objection to the project as it is currently proposed is in relation to the lack of filtering for the exhaust stacks.

The project assumes that a reduction in surface traffic will offset the high PMS2.5 and PSM10 emissions of the new unfiltered exhausts. This may or may not be true, and I personally believe that the former is true, with the project to eventually increase the total traffic flows by shortening travel times. In any case the Government should be taking the initiative to install filtration in order to REDUCE emissions, a task that is far easier than reducing the impact of existing emissions by virtue of the exhaust infrastructure that is already being installed into the tunnels. The addition of filtration technology into the proposed tunnel exhaust systems should not be a matter of contention and should plainly be required in order that this project proceed.

Thank you for your consideration.

Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

As a North Balgowlah resident, I have grave concerns about the impact of the proposed tunnels on the local area.
Burnt Bridge Creek. I have heard that the water supply to the creek will be cut by over 95%, killing the creek and all of its wildlife and natural beauty. This is an unacceptable price to pay on its own, but there are knock on effects to Manly lagoon and Queenscliff. All the flora and fauna that depend on the creek will suffer and die and it should be noted that some like the Flying Fox colony in Balgowlah are a protected species. It seems criminal to cause their deaths.
Manly Dam: 15 hectares of native vegetation will be removed from an area that is supposed to be a protected reserve. Adding to the loss caused by Manly Vale school and Northern beaches hospital. I fear we will never see wallabies in these woods again, again an unacceptable price to pay.
Ground water: It is known that this tunnel project will affect ground water systems, something that the whole of manly dam and its myriad natural residents rely on. But there seems no clear answer on what theses effect will be. Know we have an unknown, probably unacceptable risk.
Business case: Most of the traffic coming from and going to Balgowlah is commuter traffic to and from the CBD. Yet these tunnels do not help with commuter traffic, they deposit the traffic at the Sydney harbour bridge or tunnel, both already clogged bottle necks. The tunnels are projected to have only a minimal impact on the traffic flow through Mossman.
This seems to be a project that will deliver little but do huge harm to the surrounding area.
Yours Sincerely
Chris Pickard

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 have sailed on and off for many years myself ( in the UK and here in Sydney since moving here 20 years ago ), as a previous Cremorne resident I was able to sail at Middle Harbour and since moving to Northbridge have found the club to be a friendly and important way to integrate into our new community.

The proposed 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 and my children learn 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).

My childen did their first Learn to Sail this year in 2021 and they loved it. They participated in the Live In during the school holidays as part of their vacation care program while my husband and I were at work. This is a unique experience where children get to sail every day for a week, they wake up in the club so they can practice the sailings skills they have learned and develop other key independence and self development skills and have a lot of fun along the way. They loved LEarn to Sail so much they signed up for another course and have been sailing here weekly at weekends since January. They plan to continue the sport and further develop the skills they have learned and were assuming they would be able to continue this at NSC. The proposed development compromises this.

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 object to this project on so many fronts - I can’t believe that a government I voted for in the past and whose area I live in where local member is the premier can even contemplate building this massive white elephant. I can’t believe that property has been acquired and jobs advertised before the project has been approved and community consultation has been occurred.
1. I object to the EIS only having 25% of the design shown so that construction companies can do what they will with the rest of the design.
2. I object to the fact that the business case has never been released - this is shonky! Unlawful!
3. I object that you are using tax payers money to make something that only will help a few people for a short time before traffic levels will return to the current levels but we will be tolled for the privilege by Transurban.
4. I object that the initial cost estimation is so high after a period of pandemic, drought, flood and fire. We should not be spending this much money on a road tunnel. We need long lasting environmentally sound infrastructure. I propose that a metro line is constructed up to the beaches to assist the Roseville Bridge road corridor (which is actually more congested than Military) which will in turn help with car load on Military Road.
5. I object to having unfiltered stacks constructed not following world’s best practice effecting people living and working but also many children in the area of Australia with the highest proportion of children in schooling! The United Nations Convention for Children’s Rights says that fresh air is a fundamental human right for kids worldwide. Why are you ignoring all the data about those small PM2.5 particles and how detrimental they are to developed and developing lungs? It’s evil!
6. I object to your blatant disregard for the community’s health and wellbeing. Putting a major dive site in a valley surrounded by residential housing and sports courts and recreational space is ludicrous. The valley echoes, dust lingers. It’s dangerous and will cause people to be unwell with stress and sleeplessness. Not to mention that this is a buried tip and this tip was around before the careful rules of today. It is contaminated land and no one should be at risk. If the project needs to go ahead the dive site should be in an industrial area such as in Artarmon where trucks can go straight onto the highway and people will not be effected to this extent.
7. I object to the massive amount of environmental devastation you’re willing to undertake for this pointless project. A) destructions of thousands of trees b) a wildlife protection area getting cleared at Flat Rock Gully just as animals have started returning and trees have matured so breeding and feeding can occur. C) the creek getting changed at Flat Rock and many kilolitres of waste water being dumped into it effecting flora and fauna right through the valley d) the dredging of the harbour in Middle Harbour and associated deaths and disturbance of sea flora and fauna including rare species such as sea grass communities. E) contamination risks through out the whole project are too high for environmental and social reasons.
8. The loss of green space for recreational pursuits on golf courses and for the Northbridge Sailing Club.
9. The traffic mayhem that will occur for years and years - it’s not short term and to know at the end that what has been created has not solved any problems will be even more devastating. Putting lights on Brook St/Flat Rock Drive and letting 70 heavy vehicles out per hour will impact the local street network of Alpha/Sailors Bay Road/Eastern Valley/Willoughby Road greatly
10. The waste of water, destruction of stored water reserves and change of groundwater that will effect remaining vegetation.

Please see attached objection

The project will have a damaging impact on the environment with little obvious benefit to the local communities. The construction will have an enormous impact on the environment in the short term and huge pollution from the stacks in the long term. It would be far better to improve the public transport systems. The construction will destroy valuable bush land and water catchments, which will be felt by animals and people. There is no meaningful improvement in traffic time. We need to reduce our green house gasses and switch to sustainable modes of transport. We need to build on, for example the success of the B-Line buses.
We need to protect the water flow of our lovely Burnt Bridge Creek and the tunnel will effectively end its life and that of all the creatures great and small that rely on it.

I am submitting a letter of concern regarding the impact of the maritime exclusion zones between Seaforth Bluff and Clive Park in relation to the tunnel works across Middle Harbour.
My partner and son are active members of the Northbridge Sailing Club (NSC). My son started learning to sail there 4 years ago and it is an active part of their recreational activities every summer. The impact of the maritime exclusion zone on their ability to use the water of Middle Harbour for their sailing activities will be huge and extensive given the proposed length of time the exclusion zone will be present for.
It appears practically all of their sailing courses will be impacted by both the exclusion zone as well as the relocation of some of the moorings. Not only does this impact their ability to participate in their weekend activities, it has a huge and significant impact on the functioning and growth of the club as a whole. It may impact on the ability of the club to maintain its members as well as to attract new members, if their ability to sail on the waters of Middle Harbour are severely restricted. This is a club which has a long history in the local community and it would be devastating if it’s viability to function and recover after this period is long lasting.
I would urge TfNSW to consult with the NSC to discuss ways to minimize the impact of the maritime restrictions on the clubs functioning and viability both during the tunnel works as well as after.