Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

Submission attached.

I am the parent of a boy at Balgowlah Boys High School. I don't believe the assessment takes into account properly the noise and dust pollution that will predominantly occur during the hours at which the boys are at the school. My strong preference is that the school is relocated to North Head for the duration of the works. Please consider the impact on these school children more fully that you currently have in the proposal. As a concentrated population exposed at a key development phase of their lives they are the most impacted from this construction. Yet there appears to be little mention of their existence let alone consideration of impact and compensatory actions.

Regards

Good for Manly Inc, formed in 2012, is an incorporated association of residents and ratepayers of the Manly Ward of the Northern Beaches Council. It was formed to enable a more active voice in matters affecting this community.

The Executive of Good For Manly has reviewed the Beach Link Tunnel EIS as well as the Northern Beaches Council (NBC) submission.

We fully support the content of the NBC response with the following additional concerns:

• Given the overall cost of the project, the lack of the inclusion of light rail is considered a major oversight. Surely mass transport facilities, which are sorely lacking in the Northern Beaches area, would be a major contributor to fast, efficient travel for commuters? This would also markedly reduce road traffic congestion for the foreseeable future as well as being more environmentally appropriate.

• Due to COVID restrictions there was no opportunity for face-to-face community consultation was not possible. Future community consultation in the event of there being substantial changes to the design schedule, routing, traffic management arrangements, etc is essential to ensure ongoing community goodwill towards the project.

• There is clearly concern regarding the risk of damage to property in the vicinity of the tunnelling, given the experience of such issues in other tunnelling projects. Arrangements for pre- and post-construction property condition surveys should be widely advertised and all impacted property owners contacted to ensure they are fully engaged. Costs of such surveys, and any required remedial work, should be defined as the responsibility of the project and prompt attention to surveys and remedial work is crucial. Experience shows that members of the public have been very dissatisfied with slow, bureaucratic processes in the event of claims in respect of previous tunnelling projects.

• The same concern relates to noise assessment. The project should define how this will be assessed and managed.

• Given that the proposed ventilation stacks are only presented as illustrative impressions there should be an opportunity to view and comment on the visual impact of the actual design of ventilation stacks as part of the Urban Design and Landscape Plan exhibition.

• Due to the large number of contractors working on the project, specific off-road parking facilities, or a shuttle bus service, should be provided especially in the Seaforth and Balgowlah precincts where street parking is already limited and fully utilised.

• Procedures for complaints should be clearly defined and broadly advertised.

• It is requested that an independent advocate be engaged to act on the community’s behalf and address any problems in a timely manner (eg out-of-hours noise complaints, stormwater run-off), to be located onsite and to monitor compliance in real time.

• The lack of information regarding additional heavy vehicle movements is a major concern along Sydney Rd, French’s Forest Rd through Seaforth Village, residential areas and past Seaforth Public School. Impacts as to noise, pedestrian safety and wellbeing of children have not been adequately addressed. In particular the impacts on North Balgowlah Public, Balgowlah Boys High, St Cecilia’s Balgowlah and St Kevin’s Manly Vale, as well as local pre-schools and child-care centres should be expressly considered.

• Finally, it is a concern that the traffic modelling for this project is based on 2016 survey data. We question the relevance of this data post COVID-19 and request that the modelling be updated to reflect changing working patterns and the reduction in public transport patronage due to both pandemic and bus timetable changes.

Yours sincerely
Candy Bingham
President
Good For Manly
28/2/2021

Please see submission attached.

Here is my submission objection for Beaches Link Tunnel.

I strongly oppose the project as the EIS has raised many concerns including but not limited to
> The destruction of over 3000 trees, approx 400 will be on Flat Rock Gully where my friend lives and I have enjoyed the ambience of over decades.
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> The devastating impact on marine & land eco-systems troubles me deeply
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> In excess of 900 truck movements on Flat Rock Road near by friends home
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> 4 Unfiltered Smoke stacks next to schools & homes
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> The project has not assessed the impact of emissions on residents, the environment and its contribution to Climate Change
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> There hasn’t been a detailed business case presented to fully understand the economic rationale underpinning the project. Will Transurban benefit from this project at the expense of community and environment? This Company is already bleeding the community dry with their excessive Tolls
The construction sites at Balgowlah Golf course, Seaforth and along Wakehurst Parkway will involve the removal of valuable green space and approximately 2500 established trees. Sydney has been de-forested far too much already. Trees are an essential part of our lives and help our wellbeing, stop heat sinks and suck up tons of pollution.
Numerous threatened species including Eastern Pygmy-possums and Grey-headed Flying-foxes will either be displaced or forced to suffer construction noise and contaminated water run-off.
Immersed tunnel tubes in Middle Harbour will threaten seagrass beds and marine species with contaminated sediment.

I urge the NSW Govt to reject this project though I know by the past outcomes that it is a Done Deal.

I strongly object to the Beaches Link EIS for the following reasons

#1 Threat to native habitat and wildlife

390 trees will be removed from Flat Rock Gully

Wildlife corridor will be adversely affected by the Dive Site.
Adverse effect on popular community outdoor recreational activities and access to natural environment.

For 25 years now Cammeray has been home for my family. Together with my family I have been a regular user of Tunks Park and the walking track through Flat Rock Gully, also cycle along the nearby bike track and volunteer in two Bushcare groups with North Sydney Council helping twice every month to care for the nature reserves at Tunks Park and Mortlock Reserve.
We have a strong connection with our local bush reserves which we value and appreciate immensely as a precious and scarce resource for the benefit all the community and the local ecology.
The benefit of that available access to a local safe haven of nature and the outdoors became even more apparent during COVID when it helped so many both physically and mentally through those tough times and continues to do so.

Apart from that however the bushland reserves of Flat Rock Gully are one of the only remaining scarce essential local nature reserves and provide habitat for so many of our native species many of which are threatened specifically by ever diminishing habitats.
Every one of those 390 trees targeted for removal would be providing habitat for something and functioning as a critical component of the fragile local ecosystems and wildlife corridors. It is simply devastating to contemplate the impact this will have on our native wildlife which depend on us to maintain the integrity of the bushland of Flat Rock Gully for their survival. We are regularly fortunate to see all manner of wildlife out along those bush tracks in the trees and the creek. There are also reported to be colonies of species we would rarely see such as wallabies, lyrebirds and powerful owls. The proposed removal of all those trees would be such a profound threat to the survival of our precious local wildlife and bushland which so many have worked hard to preserve and is valued so highly in so many ways by so many of the community.


#2 Health and Safety

A Dive Site to store the spoil temporally removed from the harbour floor in the tunnelling process will be constructed at the top of Flat Rock Creek Gully.
The seabed contains heavy contaminants.
The spoil will be stored at the Dive Site in transit to its destination.
500 square metres of the spoil may be stored external to the Dive Site shed.
An additional 711,000 litres of waste water being flushed down Flat Rock Creek daily.



This is densely populated residential area. I believe the role of government should be to protect our quality of life.
Turning our valued local nature reserve into an open dump for toxic spoil free to blow around the neighbouring homes schools and sport ground is an unacceptable threat to the standard of living any resident is entitled to enjoy in a wealthy first world country which can afford to do better for its citizens.
I firmly believe government should do all it can to protect our community from the danger of toxic contamination , whatever the cost.
What measures are being taken to avoid the dumping of toxic spoil in our parkland? There must be a better way.
What measures will be taken to monitor toxic contamination of our parkland where people , their children and pets recreate?
What measures will be taken to remediate and toxic contamination of our parkland?
What measures will be taken to monitor toxic spill into the creek?
What measures will be taken to monitor and remediate the impact of toxic spoil on the health and safety of the native wildlife?

#3. Noise, Traffic Congestion and Air Pollution

965 extra truck movements per day along Flat Rock Creek Drive to remove the spoil from Flat Rock Gully
Noise and traffic impacts for the duration of the project (to 2028).
Construction and operation of a Coffer Dam on the harbour between Clive Park, Northbridge and Seaforth to receive spoil from tunnelling; then be transferred by barge along Middle Harbour to the Spit Bridge, requiring many more openings of the bridge daily.

This creates an inordinate disruption and pollution of our daily lives.
This is a residential area with a good standard of living. Personally I think our local representatives should not be threatening to transform our peaceful safe neighbourhood into a noisy polluted gridlocked industrial site for most of the next decade. I believe an alternative plan should be sought whatever the cost to allow this project to proceed while respecting the local residents right to enjoy their usual quality of life and ammenities of their

Martyn Colebrook
107 Seaforth Crescent
Seaforth
NSW 2092
[email protected]
Mob: 0474 131417


28th February 2021

Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection OBJECTION

I strongly object to the proposal for the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway connection.

There are numerous reasons for objecting, which are covered in depth by other interested parties.

My particular reasons for strongly objecting are as below:
• Disruption. I live at 107 Seaforth Crescent. I bought my house for redevelopment in 2012. It is a particularly difficult site, being a cliff face and then a 35degree slope to the harbour. I commenced construction of my dream home in July 2018. After three years of construction and spending $6m my house is almost finished. I am 66 years of age and intended to live in peace and quiet on the shores of Middle Harbour. Now Transport for New South Wales is proposing to install a coffer dam outside my house. I will be subject to the noise and disruption of eighty eight construction vessel movements a day. The visual impact for my neighbours and myself will be horrendous. The noise of the drilling will reach 76 decibels! The sound of 76 decibels is like sitting next to a TV or a vacuum cleaner at full volume.
How is it that Tfor NSW are allowed to build two massive destructive coffer dams disrupting marine life and destroying sea grass beds yet I am not allowed to have a floating pontoon on the water outside my house, which will not disrupt the sea bed whatsoever?
• Structural damage. Seaforth Bluff is a landslip area. The foundations for my house had to be heavily engineered to counter any potential issues. The digging of the tunnel may affect the stability of the cliff on the Bluff. Some of the rocks are ‘floaters’ and liable to movement. What will Tfor NSW do to mitigate any potential danger? I demand a ‘financial’ bond, as did the local Council to cover the cost of any damage to the nature strip outside my house, during construction. The bond will be the full cost of the reinstatement of my house plus the disruption, which would be approximately $8m.
• Notification. Why haven’t my neighbours or I been directly informed or consulted about these proposals.? When I applied for planning permission to build for my house all of my neighbours were consulted. Why does TforNSW believe they can do as they please without direct consultation?
• Obselescence. Within two years, or less, of the tunnel being built, that too will be congested with cars. Build a road and they will come. One only has to look at the M25 ring road around London, the M6 and M5 motorways, also in the UK, all of which I used to spend many frustrating hours stuck in horrendous traffic jams. That is, until I discovered the joy of trains which I would use by default when I lived in the UK. Europe has the same traffic problem. Try driving in the Netherlands or the Paris ring road.Tfor NSW should look at the examples overseas. If they had, they would not be encouraging the construction of more roads for yet more cars. It simply is not sustainable. People love their cars and so do I but I know that they are not the future.
• Train/metro. The argument for the tunnel in the EIS is that the population is insufficient to financially support a train network in the tunnel. On the another hand the government is planning for massive housing development on the Northern Beaches, another reason why they want the tunnel. These masses could use a train for their daily commute. TforNSW’s argument does not make sense. Sydney/Australia's problem is we need to get used to not using a car and prioritising other forms of transport. Mass Transit for longer distance and micromobility for accessing mass-transit and for local journeys - bikes, bikes, cargo bikes, scooters - even walking. Metro's are both cheaper and more efficient than roads and road tunnels. Metros can move more people per hour than roads and remove traffic from roads, rather than making road traffic worse.
• Cost. We, the people, will pay for the tunnel, through taxes. It will then be sold at a loss to the Toll Road operator who makes the highest bid. The bid will not cover the construction cost because the income derived from the tolls will be insufficient to create a high enough value. The Toll company reaps the profit from the toll fees which should be going back into the pockets of those that funded it.
• Traffic survey. I wonder whether a survey was carried out to find out where the journeys end was for people driving their cars on their daily commute. Apparently 30% of the traffic is created by cars being used for the morning and afternoon school run. The children could and should use buses. Many cars are driven to the city. With Covid and the new way of working, at home, these numbers have reduced significantly. If these people caught a bus, and there are plenty of buses, maybe there is no need for the tunnel, or even a train. Reduce car usage and create a full time bus lane or extend the Metro.
• Boat users. I am a member of Middle Harbour Yacht club and a waterway user. The proposed new tunnel will have debilitating effect on the Club, which is already struggling due to the impact of Covid restrictions. The sediments in Middle Harbour will be disturbed by the construction of two huge coffer dams. The sediment contains toxic waste which has run off from the numerous water catchments that feed into Middle Harbour. The toxic waste is from historic industrial pollution and residential development. The toxic plume will spread as far as the swimming beaches of Clontarf and MHYC beach. Aquatic life will be affected. Transport for NSW say they will provide filtration curtains around the coffer dams to prevent spill. These are been scientifically proven to be ineffective. The spoil extracted from the tunnel dig will be loaded on to barges via the coffer dams. These will be transported to sea where the spoil will be dumped. There will be eighty eight vessel movements per day. How will Transport for NSW guarantee the safety of marine users; sailors, fishing boats, kayakers? How will Tfor NSW guarantee the safety of marine life.
• Parking. A concrete manufacturing plant is proposed for Pearl Bay to service the tunnel. There will be hundreds of workers, all of whom will want to use the already limited parking. There will be even fewer spaces for MHYC members than there are now. How will TforNSW ensure there is sufficient parking for the current users?
• Pollution. Why has TfNSW elected to use unfiltered exhaust stacks to extract car emissions from the tunnel? Are they aware of the amount of pollution they will send into the atmosphere? This is the thinking of a poor third world country twenty years ago, not a modern society which is implicitly aware of the effects of pollution on health. Who will pay the medical bills and the ongoing life support costs for those many affected?
I confirm and reiterate my strong objection to the construction of the Beaches Link Tunnel.

Yours sincerely,


Martyn Colebrook

As a resident of the Cammeray community I strongly object to the proposed changes to the area. I feel there needs to more consultation with the community to minimise the distribution in the area and to maintain a peaceful family orientated area. I do not believe enough has been done to think of the environmental impact of the project nor a proper investigation on the effects of the sewage and smoke stacks in the area. I strongly object to this project

I object to this project on a number of points. Please see the attached document.

Re:

1. Kitchener Street temporary construction support site
2. Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation road traffic increase
3. Recreational facilities timeline

To whom it may concern,

I am the current owner of 25 Kitchener Street, Balgowlah.

1.
a. I note in your interactive planning map that there is a provision to have a temporary construction support site off Kitchener street. This location is under 100m from my property and under 50m from other properties along Kitchener road. Your map indicates this site will also have workshops. What is the exact function and planned period of operation for this site? I understand there has been a sound impact assessment but has this included these workshops and laydown to the housing in the immediate area, and what are the plans to mitigate the noise and visual impact?
b. Considering the significant amount of land available south of the location and closer to the tunnel entrance site, and the length of the project, why is there a necessity to have such construction facilities located next to residential properties? Considering the amount of years this project will take, I believe this is an unfair and inadequate location of any construction support facilities. This will impact the ability to rent and or sell the property during the construction period putting an unnecessary financial burden on our family.
c. What is the impact for the flora in this area as there is a significant amount of trees running along burnt bridge creek north and south of Kitchener street and I would like to see a commitment to maintaining such landscape to avoid increasing the negative visual and noise impact from the construction site and burnt bridge creek deviation traffic on the surrounding properties.
2.
a. With the increased traffic volume the tunnel will bring along Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation road, I have significant concerns how this will affect the properties on Kitchener street close to the road. I note there is no provision to install a sound barrier along the left hand side of Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation road immediately to the left, right and under Kitchener street flyover bridge. Can this please be considered to be included as part of the project. Without such an installation the liveability of the properties close to the flyover including mine will be significantly diminished.
3.
a. I would like to lodge a strong emphasises of the importance of rolling out the recreational facilities of the project as soon as feasibly possible. I understand the importance of the project to the Northern Beaches and although selfishly I would prefer it to not be next to me, I understand it has to be somewhere and I will not formally object to the project. That said, the thought of living next to a construction site for the better part of a decade is not how I imagined my family spending our time in our residential property. As noted above, this will have potential liveability and financial consequences for the period during the project and potentially upon completion. To help mitigate the negative impacts, I implore the government to rapidly roll out recreational facilities and open this up within the first period of the project. This will allow residents impacted by the build, such as my family, to have a positive outcome and reduce negative feelings and anxieties of the build.


I appreciate if this submission could be acknowledged with an official response from the government.

Sincerely,
Chadwick Kinlay

I strongly object to the Northern Beaches Tunnel.
This submission is in 2 parts. Firstly, the immediate impacts on my family and our health and well-being. Secondly, the broader and long term environmental and health damage that the project will bring to our area.
Regarding our personal circumstances, my family and I live in the only group of townhouses that will be left standing in Dudley Street Balgowlah. During construction we will have “front seats” to the mass destruction of our immediate surroundings - the complete, permanent mauling of Burnt Bridge Creek and the open space of the Balgowlah Golf course and oval. We will lose all of our privacy and amenity and be unable to use any of our outdoor/alfresco areas. Due to our proximity to the tunnel entrance 60m away (where my parents’ house currently stands), we will be subjected to at least 6 years (and probably more) of constant construction noise; plus, the noise and pollution from the estimated 495 heavy truck movements and 1195 light vehicle movements; endless dust (with the prevailing wind in the area sweeping the dust south and straight onto our group of townhouses); light pollution from night works and visual pollution from the rape of our local landscape. We will have no respite from this hell, as our business is run from our home. Being subjected to this constant barrage and visual assault on the landscape, will have lasting health, including mental health and wellbeing, impacts on our family, in particular our daughter, who is asthmatic.
With the destruction of our local environment, our “backyard”, we will lose all of the amenity that we hold as highly important to our way of life and the reasons why we chose this spot for our home – the sounds of the diverse birdlife and cicadas; the varied wildlife that uses our yard (water dragons, brush tailed possums, ring-tailed possums, frogs, bats/flying foxes etc); relaxing walks without having to drive. These will be lost forever if there will be no habitat for them. We will also lose the local bike path and access to safe cycleways to many of our local areas, having to use Sydney Rd (with no bike path) and cross at major intersections highly populated with heavy vehicles, which is neither safe or relaxing. Our already parking-congested, narrow local streets will be lined with tunnel-personnel personal vehicles and idling trucks and work vehicles, causing further pollution, and further traffic congestion and localised delays that will directly affect the Dudley St residents and our ease of access.
Keeping all of the above in mind, we will not be able to sell our house for suburb market value, as already evidenced by a sale in our block – the sale price being directly influenced by the proximity of the proposed tunnel – and therefore be forced to move far away from our network of friends, sporting and leisure groups and work opportunities.
Even after construction is completed, our family, and the other residents of our group of townhouses, will suffer a further, estimated, 3 years of construction to complete the councils proposed sports fields. That is over 10 years of our life in total chaos. We will be surrounded by 3 multilane roads and the constant noise pollution that will accompany them. We will have an 8 story unfiltered smoke stack less than 300 meters away, that will not only be a visual eyesore and focal point on the landscape, and not following world’s best practice, pump concentrated pollutants for a 1.2km radius. Dudley St is being turned into a cul-de-sac to service 5 townhouses – is this an economic use of funds? The Dudley St/Sydney Rd intersection will become almost impossible to navigate, given its proximity to 2 major intersections, and therefore the access to our townhouses will become restricted and dangerous.
Environmentally, I simply cannot come to terms with a Government wanting to completely destroy any natural environment, let alone on such a grand scale, for very little benefit to the community and unrealistic time savings, causing more congestion on local roads - especially in light of Northern Beaches Council “Move - Northern Beaches Transport Strategy 2038” stating that they aim to reduce reliance on cars by 30%. And why do we need a 12 lane road, the widest in NSW?
I am horrified to find, as written in the EIS, that our local aboriginal heritage and rock carvings will be damaged and possibly destroyed. That sensitive bushland at Garigal National Park and Manly Dam Reserve, with highly endangered plant species, will be decimated – and that the 2000 mature trees, that are homes to many vital ecosystems, will be replaced by only 300 young saplings. That the green corridor will be destroyed and our native wildlife, including numerous threatened species, will lose their access to food and water sources. Many of our native species are either nocturnal or diurnal and construction work, especially night work, will be detrimental to their physiology. This will also continue after completion with the introduction of the lighting of Wakehurst Parkway – light pollution that will be seen from all surrounding suburbs.
Added to this destruction, will be the impact on our local waterways. Burnt Bridge Creek - supported by an environment levy paid to Manly Council, who called it “the life spring of Manly” - will become less than a trickle and unable to support wildlife. Manly Dam, the only freshwater lake in NSW that is clean enough to swim in, will become contaminated by construction waste water and sediment runoff, and this in turn will continue downstream to Manly Lagoon and out onto Queenscliff Beach. This contamination will not miraculously stop after construction either, with the unfiltered smoke stack that will sit 25m higher than the ridgeline above Manly Dam and Bantry Bay.
I am also horrified that the Government can condone the polluting of Middle Harbour by dredging the harbour floor, filled with toxic contaminants, that will have devastating impacts on sea grass and aquatic life, including endangered species (such as White’s seahorse). These contaminants will spread to local beaches and harbour pools, enjoyed by both locals and visitors to the local area.

I object to the Beaches Link tunnel.
There are a number of extremely concerning impacts to the local environment and local residents.

I object to the proposed widening of Wakehurst Parkway at Seaforth. The significant destruction to Manly Dam is not acceptable. This area covers a section of the Duffys Forest Ecological Community, a site with many highly endangered plant species, and a type of native bushland that is near extinct due to land clearing. This is a precious natural environment that is also home to a number of endangered species (for example, the Eastern Pygmy possum), beautiful waterways and sensitive creeks, and peaceful bushland picnic areas. The EIS reveals that 1979 mature trees will be removed in Garigal National Park / Bantry Bay and Manly Dam Reserve with replacement planting for only 339, replacing mature trees with only young saplings. A 4-6 lane road through the middle of this space causing pollution, destruction of significant areas of bush and natural habitat along with ongoing noise and visual pollution is unacceptable.
I object to the destruction of the mountain biking trails and walking tracks around Manly Dam. The Possum Track and path next to Wakehurst Parkway will be destroyed, removing the ability for riders and walkers to participate in healthy exercise whilst enjoying our beautiful natural environment. This should not be destroyed for the sake of cars! My son is an avid Mountain Bike rider. and will be devastated if this is destroyed. This community is privileged to have such a wonderful resource in the heart of the city. It should be saved.

The NSW Government , and indeed one of the Premier's priorities, is to ensure the provision of open green spaces. REf: (https://www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/premiers-priorities/great-public-spaces). I quote from this Government webpage directly" Quality green, open and public spaces are important to everyone. They are our free parks, gardens and sports fields, walkable shady streets, libraries, museums and galleries, which form the heart of our communities. Our public spaces make life more welcoming and accessible. They delight and connect people. They support our health and well-being, environmental resilience and prosperous local economies. Public spaces are all places publicly owned or of public use, accessible and enjoyable by all for free. They include our open spaces, public facilities and streets. They’re at the heart of everyday life.
People with access to green and public places are healthier and happier than those who don’t. For many people living without a lush backyard, the parks and green spaces in our towns and cities are vital to maintain both physical and mental health."
How totally contradictory of the NSW Government to prioritise open green spaces on the one hand and the benefits it provides, and seek to destroy a beautiful natural environment on the other!!

I object to the unfiltered exhaust stacks in Balgowlah and Seaforth. These stacks are located in residential areas and very close to local schools. The unfiltered exhaust will cause health issues for many local residents, as noted in the EIS. They would emit double the maximum limit of particulates recommended by the World Health Authority.
Emissions include nitrous oxides and particulate matter that, when breathed into the lungs, causes respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and cancer. This has been repeatedly proven across numerous independent studies across the world. Medical experts universally state that there is no safe level of exposure to these types of cancer-causing emissions, and that children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. Doctors have specifically been concerned with levels of airborne toxins from other similar tunnel projects around Sydney, such as the recently completed NorthConnex.
Our local community will not accept this, and it is unbelievable that the Government would even consider such a proposal with such a terrible impact on the local residents.

I object to the size and scale of the development at Burnt Creek Bridge deviation. The expansion of this road to 12 lanes is outrageous!
The creek itself would die as its flow is to be reduced by 96%. During construction, 425,000 litres of waste water will be washed into Manly Lagoon every day, flowing into the ocean at Queenscliff. The site is currently categorised as flood-prone, and it is unacceptable for any waste water, pollutants or contamination by construction soils to enter the creek system and impact all catchment areas downstream.
There is also critically endangered plant species growing on the Burnt Creek Bridge site including the Seaforth Mintbush and Magenta Lilly Pilly, and endangered birds such as the Australasian Bittern and Red Knot also visit the site. Recent sightings of small mammals have included bandicoots and echidnas in the area.
This will have a huge negative impact on the environment in this area if this development were to proceed.

I object to the proposed destruction of the numerous ancient Aboriginal rock carvings and middens in the Seaforth. A government blueprint has stated that the tunnel project would lead to some destruction that “cannot be avoided” and that “it will be difficult to justify major impacts” to the sites of high cultural significance to indigenous people. The EIS states “The Wakehurst Parkway landscape region is particularly significant because of the Hawkesbury Sandstone and its association with known Aboriginal rock engravings”. Within 50 metres of the footprint of the project, there are 11 sites of Aboriginal cultural heritage including rock art, engravings and rock shelters that are vulnerable to vibration impacts.
We should be valuing our local natural and indigenous heritage sights and respect and honour the local indigenous community, as well as protecting the endangered flora and fauna.

I object to the length of time for the proposed construction. 7 years of trucks, traffic, drilling and tunnelling, congestion, noise, dust, vibration. An average of 280 truck movements per HOUR is shocking. This will cause congestion on local roads, clog up Military Rd/Spit Rd, Frenchs Forest Rd/Wakehurst Parkway is not suitable for significant truck volumes and will endanger local residents and children. The impact of tunnelling and construction for 7 years on the mental and physical wellbeing of local residents cannot be underestimated. It is totally unacceptable to subject the local residents to constant noise and pollution, for little benefit.

Overall, I am deeply concerned with the Beaches Link tunnel and the devastating impact it will have on our local environment. We have learnt enough by now to realise that the precious natural environment is irreplacable and should not be destroyed, especially for little benefit. A appropriate plan would be more forward looking, involve public transport, energy efficient electric vehicles and take advantage of scientific research to ensure we have a world class solution.

For these reasons I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection.

I strongly object to the project. My letter of objection is attached.

Please see my submission attached

I am writing to object to the building of the beaches link tunnel.
My first concern is whether it is truly necessary. Surely the way forward for the future is to invest in a better public transport system? People should be encouraged to use public transport, as not only is this better for the environment, it will also reduce traffic flow on local roads. Some of the roads around the tunnel entrance are already gridlocked at certain times of the day so the effect of the tunnel will only make this worse as more people will be in their cars.

I am also very concerned about the impact on the environment both from the construction process and in the future as a result of the ventilation stacks. As a mother of children with asthma, the pollution from the ventilation stacks is particularly worrying. Although asthma is obviously just one of many concerns of breathing in carcinogenic car fumes on a daily basis.
Our family is one of many in North Balgowlah that use the creek path to regularly cycle to manly. This is a great form of exercise and also helps to reduce traffic in the Manly area. With the planned construction works and the possible destruction of the creek as a result of the tunnel, I’m concerned about the future of this great cycle path and worried that in future the only option will be for us to drive to Manly.

In summary, I really hope that you listen to the many concerns of the local community and consider whether this tunnel is absolutely necessary and whether it is genuinely in the best interests of our environment, our children’s health and of future generations living on Sydney’s northern beaches.

I object to the tunnel due to the unfiltered exhaust stake very close my home. I object to the pollution from the exhaust stake flowing over the Balgowlah valley and the local schools and primary schools. I object to the years of construction, noise heavy trucks to our urban streets and the risk they impose to school students and children. I object to the damage to the environment at manly dam and the surrounds, plus local heritage sites and aboriginal artefacts.

As a mother I’m extremely worried about potential contamination of the soil, waterways and air affecting my children and their possibility to enjoy the local environment. I would like the EIS to be reissued for public consultation with a full Phase 2 Contamination Assessment completed.

It seems to be a very inappropriate use of money to be creating more roads. It would be much more appropriate to investigate a comparative mass transit alternative.

What is the business case to justify the travel times claimed?

If the project goes ahead, how can the local environment beprotected? The Flat Rock gully area is used often by my family and others in the area to get in contact with nature. Particularly during COVID it was a godsend. The gully will effectively be blocked to Naremburn residents for the entirety of the build. There must be some assurance that the area will be rehabilitated once the work is finished.

The number of trucks using Brook St is off great concern as that is the main road which Naremburn kids and families have to access the local public schools. How can the safety of the children be guaranteed from constant truck movements along Brook St and Merrenburn Avenue?

The stacks need to be filtered to protect the children from the many schools in the direct vicinity of the stacks.

There is absolutely no benefit to the residents of Naremburn for this project — once again our suburb is being used as a thoroughfare. We will suffer the pain of years of construction but receive no benefit from the project.

As parents of CPS, I OBJECT to the northern beaches link

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.

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

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.

5. I object to the project due to the threat to our biodiversity and green spaces.

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 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.

8. 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.

For a variety of reasons, most of which I mention in my submission below, I am strongly opposed to the construction of the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection.

The tunnel will possibly save commuter time initially, but it will soon fill up with cars and we'll be back to square one. This is backed up by independent transport expert Dr Michelle Zeibots who reports traffic problems in the area will be back to the same as exist now within 2 years of the tunnel opening, and that the tunnel should not be built. More roads and cars is the old fashioned approach to infrastructure. We need to think like modern city people. In European cities they are already moving away from the system of individual cars, as it's not sustainable. We, too, need smarter solutions, not more roads at the expense of every aspect of the environment and the health of citizens.

Metros are both cheaper and more efficient than roads and road tunnels. Metros can move more people per hour than roads and remove traffic from roads, rather than making road traffic worse.
We need to get used to not driving individual cars and prioritise other forms of transport. Mass Transit for longer distance and micromobility for accessing mass-transit and for local journeys - bikes, e-bikes, cargo bikes, scooters - even walking.

The reported cost of the Beaches Link tunnel - based on previously leaked cabinet documents was $14 billion - or $1 billion per km - plus billions of ongoing costs. The fact that information regarding such an enormous spend of taxpayers’ money should have to be leaked rather than being freely available in an open and transparent presentation, is appalling.
By cost comparison, the Sydney Metro City and Southwest have a construction estimate of $12.5 billion including trains and stations. The Southwest link is 30km of track, compared to Beaches Link 14km.
A "Beaches Metro" would be a logical extension of the evolving Metro network at a fraction of the cost and disruption of the Beaches Link road tunnel.

It concerns me greatly that the sediments in Middle Harbour will be disturbed by the construction of two huge coffer dams. The sediment contains toxic waste which has run off from the numerous water catchments that feed into Middle Harbour. The toxic waste is from historic industrial pollution and residential development. The toxic waste plume will spread as far as the swimming beaches of Clontarf and MHYC beach. Aquatic life and humans will be severely affected. Transport for NSW say they will provide filtration curtains around the coffer dams to prevent spill, but these have been scientifically proven to be ineffective. The spoil extracted from the tunnel dig will be loaded on to barges via the coffer dams. These will be transported out to sea where the spoil will be dumped. There will be 88 vessel movements per day, including almost 50 concrete and spoil barges every day for 7 years passing through the narrow passage outside the marinas and the Spit waterway, past pristine beaches at Clontarf, Chinamans, Castle Rock, Edwards, Balmoral, Cobblers.

A concrete manufacturing plant is proposed for beautiful Pearl Bay to service the tunnel. There will be hundreds of workers, all of whom will want to use the already limited parking used by rowers, dog walkers and other park users, as well as members of and visitors to the yacht clubs.
Building more roads for commuting private cars is a backwards step, especially after the pandemic has shown that we can work from home to a high degree. This trend is here to stay, as employers, employees and contractors have discovered this increases productivity and improves mental health and general quality of life.