Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

I want to voice my concerns regarding the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel and its impacts on our community, school and local environment. Please see below:

Revisiting the Tunnel Justification

Concern - The figures put forward in the EIS indicate only a minimal reduction in the traffic flowing through Mosman for a significant and disproportionate use of public funds. We feel that many of the assumptions for traffic used as justification of the build in the EIS have not factored in changes to travel habits and working from home due to COVID-19 and into the future, treating COVID-19 as having only a “temporary” impact".

Request - There are many new data points to factor in given the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyles long term and we stand with Viable Transport solutions in asking the government to halt the development process to allow for a suitable review, and to publicly release the results of the review.

Construction Impact

Concern - The construction phase of the project will undoubtedly impact North Balgowlah residents with dust, noise, vibration, and heavy vehicle traffic in the area. North Balgowlah will have construction surrounding most of the suburb and the EIS indicates that during construction there will be.

• Over 3,000 vehicles per day across all sites.

• 1,690 vehicles per day at the Balgowlah Golf Course site alone.

• 1.5 heavy vehicles every minute or 4.5 vehicles (total) every minute.

• Over 4,000 homes subjected to excessive noise

• Construction work to proceed 24/7 for up to 7 years.

Request - Reconsider how to ensure that the impact of trucks/vehicles is not felt on the suburban streets that are already hard to navigate with local traffic and buses. Ensure areas around schools and parks are not impacted and are safe for families and children to walk or ride around the local community. Disincentivise commuters looking to use our streets as a rat run to save time from congestion and money from using the toll roads.

Ventilation Stacks

Concern - Global health experts agree that pollution from traffic exhaust poses serious health risks. Emissions include nitrous oxides and particulate matter that, when breathed into the lungs, causes respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and cancer. There are several schools, preschools, childcare centres, and sporting fields within the vicinity of all the proposed ventilation stacks and from a parent's point of view, the increased level of pollution is unacceptable.

Request - If the tunnel were to go ahead that the stacks be equipped with full filtration to minimize these impacts. At the very least the air pollution is kept at the current levels.

Environmental Impact

Concern - We are fortunate to live in an area that incorporates some spectacular bush land, reserves, and beaches and would urge that further consideration is given to the major environmental impacts, including but not limited to:

• Movement of contaminated sediment to Clontarf and Middle Harbour (The Spit) potentially causing pollution of the neighbouring beaches.

• Destruction of Burnt Bridge Creek and surrounds (e.g., bushland, wildlife etc) due to a possible 96% reduction in water flow.

• Discharge of 428,000 L per day of wastewater into Queenscliff Lagoon & Beach, resulting in health hazards for people and animals who swim in the waterways.

• Pollution of Manly Dam reserve, resulting in the potential extinction of rare flora and fauna and the last remaining areas of Duffy’s Forest, and meaning that one of the only swimmable dams in NSW is no longer safe for public use.

• Loss of recreational activities with the mountain bike trails that are used for riding, walking, and running.

Request - We want assurances that future generations get to experience the natural wonders of the area in all its glory. That wildlife can live in the shadows of residential houses, not shadows of construction and pollution. What is the point of making the northern beaches more accessible if the very heart of what makes the northern beaches so special is destroyed? We understand that in life, it is important to move forward, but not at all costs. If anything, COVID should teach us that we need to look after what we have got, each other and the environment so we can all live together sustainably, leaving the world in a better place for future generations. We are not sure the tunnel is the answer.

The Federation of Willoughby Progress Associations (FWPA) wishes to lodge an OBJECTION to the Beaches Link EIS based on its earlier press release (as attached). Furthermore, it is evident that insufficient testing has been completed to assess the risk of the project and make a Determination - particularly regarding the location of the dive site at Flat Rock Gully Reserve and the risks associated with an Immersed Tube crossing of Middle Harbour. The FWPA asks that a phase 2 Contamination Study be completed and the results published for further consultation with the community before any approval is given.
The FWPA also asks for current testing results to be released as, in contrast to Middle Harbour, no numerical data indicating the degree of any contamination has been released for Bicentennial Reserve or Flat Rock Gully.
Roger Promnitz
Secretary, FWPA

This project is strongly objected by our family and community. I travel over the Spit Bridge nearly every morning and afternoon and it's fine. We don't need the tunnel which will encourage more cars on the road, an antiquated approach to modern commuting and a danger to our communities and environment. People are working from home now and less on-road transport is required, and should be strongly discouraged, not planned for at billions of dollars of tax payer expense. For those of us in the immediate vicinity of the works, the imposing drilling, construction, smoke stacks, noise pollution and impacts to our natural environs are terrifying. Apparently we may have up to 500 workers with inadequate parking arrangements in our street a day and were not even informed we would have our driveways dug up to make way for electricity cables. There are serious impacts on the safety of children, quality of life, pollution, local fauna and wildlife threatened and concerns surrounding precious Indigenous heritage sites.

Dear Major Projects
I am writing this submission to strongly object to the revised proposal for the Balgowlah solution for the Northern Beaches link tunnel.
I object to the proposal on the following grounds:
1. Unacceptable Environmental Risks / Impacts - The information that has been made available to the public by NSW Gov, Northern Beaches Council and local organisations clearly indicates that the development of the tunnel will most likely decimate Burnt Bridge Creek and the surrounding wildlife corridor. This waterway and the accompanying greenery is a critical part of our neighbourhood. Its where children paddle, people walk their dogs, feed the ducks, exercise and rejuvenate in natural surroundings. For people in our neighbourhood this is where we go to 'forest bathe' and destress! It is full of wildlife with various species of birds, waterdragons, duck and eels all on display whenever you walk by. The proposal to 'replace' this natural amenity that runs all the ways from western Seaforth right down to manly lagoon with a massive portal, 12 lanes of traffic and manicured playing fields and parking is a disgrace. The idea that we can undertake such a massive construction project in such an environmentally sensitive location without impacting this creek and surrounds is just laughable. Unless the NSW Government can guarantee that this wildlife corridor and everything it supports can be protected the tunnel should not go ahead.
2. Inadequate consultation - I believe the people of Hope Street were not adequately consulted about the revised design that emerged in 'mid' 2020. We were engaged through the early stages of the project and we participated with letters, attendance at meetings and lobbying our local minister - all with the intent of protecting the creek from the original crazy proposal to build the tunnel portal on the site of the creek itself. When the project was redesigned so that it would not have the same impact on the creek Hope Street resident were re-assured. Now at the final stage of the project - the EIS - we discover that actually the entire portal for the tunnel has been moved south and is now predicted to remove up to 96% of the water that feeds into Burnt Bridge Creek. We were never consulted on this. The NSW government has completely redesigned this project - moving it to an entirely new location - without engaging with me or my community. Instead we are expected to wade through 1000s of pages of EIS information to determine when the change took place and what it means for us and our local environment.
3. Insufficient benefits - as a tax payer and rate payer I also oppose this tunnel on the basis that the benefits it promises do not stand up to scrutiny. It promises reduced traffic on the spit road - but we all know that more roads means more cars . The spit road will return to the current level of congestion very soon after the tunnel is open. Northern beaches residents aren't going to pay for a tunnel if the spit bridge is flowing freely. In addition the tunnel will increase the amount of traffic into the northern beaches and instead of reducing travel time it will result in increased congestion in all the surrounding areas of Balgowlah, Manly Vale, Allambie and back as far as Brookvale and North Manly. The private tunnel operators will prioritise car traffic over public transport and we will see increased pollution from an increased number of cars on our roads. Its such a shame that the NSW government is fixated on such old fashioned transport methods. In this day and age with the technology we have available this public money should be spent on smart sustainable public transport solutions - not spent promoting and encouraging private car use for the benefit of private commercial tunnel operators.
4. Negative Health Impacts - my family, my neighbours will all be subject to increased pollution from both the surface traffic and the tunnel emissions. While the government says 'the numbers' are still in the acceptable range the reality is we learn more and more about pollutants and their effect on us every day. We now know there is no safe level for exposure to cigarettes but the NSW Government expects me to accept that there are safe levels for me, my family and my neighbours to be exposed to traffic pollutants. This argument does not stack up.
As a member of the community near both tunnel portals I oppose this project and call on the NSW government to abandon this dangerous, disruptive and old fashioned project and go back to the drawing board for a more sustainable solution with lower environmental and health impacts for the community,
Regards,
Eimear.

I strongly object to this project as outlined in the attached,

The project will cause major negative impacts to our community. 8 years of construction pain, for no gain as we’ll have no direct local access to the Western Harbour Tunnel or Beaches link. The Government should properly investigate and present a business case for viable mass public transport options instead!

Traffic Jams: Nth Sydney LGA will be permanently clogged both where the tunnels come out and due to toll avoidance and local rat runs. Plus up to 900 trucks are expected DAILY through Naremburn (Flat Rock Dr) and 560 trucks DAILY to Cammeray tunnelling sites, often carrying contaminated soil and dangerous particulate patter. Key major intersections (including Miller and Amherst) will fail the EIS says; cross Nth Sydney LGA & Willoughby journeys will take much longer.

Air pollution from unfiltered stacks - 3 massive 30 metre high UNFILTERED smoke stacks to be built within Artarmon/Cammeray/ North Sydney freeway corridor which will cause higher than safe levels of particulate matter (PM 2.5 and others) to impact 12 local schools including Cammeray P.S. plus preschools nearby. Demand filtered stacks like they have overseas, or ban Diesel trucks in the tunnels [Stockholm], or at least real time air pollution monitoring near schools and sports grounds to alert us if pollution hits dangerous levels.

24/7 noise pollution during construction phase (1,917 houses between Cammeray and a Naremburn to receive higher than acceptable noise disruption). Request temporary noise walls to be erected during construction and permanent ones at completion to protect our homes and recreation spaces

huge threats to green space and biodiversity - 3000 trees to be cut down in our area incl beautiful Flat Rock Gully which will have massive environmental and biodiversity impacts. Demand post-project all green spaces to be regenerated.

Hi, I am a Seaforth resident with small children attending the local Seaforth Public school and I object the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel due to the following reasons:
- Health impacts:
o Chapter 10 of the EIS states that up to 1004 residential receiver buildings in NCAs 47.1 (where we live) , 48.1, 49.1, 50.1 and 51.1 (within Seaforth, Balgowlah and North Balgowlah) are predicted to experience noise levels greater than the noise management level. This would be mostly during site establishment works and the noise levels are also expected to be very high during the night with the occasional night time concrete truck movements which will result in high instantaneous noise impacts during arrival or departure. As tunneling will be undertaken 24/7 this will impact sleep and cause increased stress levels, especially as also after Covid, my husband and I will be working from home for the majority for the time and we have 2 school aged children who need to do their school work at home. We expect mitigation strategies like double glazing to our windows. I am also concerned that tunneling close to our house will result in structural damages to the house. Residents near the tunnel need to be provided with a free structural assessment prior, during and after the construction takes please to ensure we will be compensated if the tunneling causes damages to our properties.
o Seaforth Public School which is also located in NCA 47.1 will endure increased noise levels through-out the construction, so both of my daughters will be exposed to an increase of noise for years. We expect that the school is upgraded with double glazed windows to allow for better learning and concentration. Indoor halls need to be upgraded or build for kids to be able to play inside during construction if the dust coming from the Balgowlah golf course construction site is bad or after the constructions is competed due to poor air quality due to unfiltered ventilation from the tunnel. An independent dust and noise monitor station need to be installed during construction which will alert parents when the air quality measures exceed what is considered safe and healthy.
o I am concerned that the air quality, once the tunnel is completed will be poor (around my residence and the Seaforth Public school which my kids are attending) due to unfiltered ventilation stacks. My daughter currently attends the Seaforth Public School (second one will be attending from next year), it is unacceptable building unfiltered stacks so close to so many schools. On top of that, we will live in the middle of both ventilation stacks so no matter the wind direction will be impacted by the ventilation stacks. These stacks need to be filtered. In the past, our Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has spoken out against smaller unfiltered tunnels and promised to oppose them because of the danger to the health of the community at large. I presume she has not changed her opinion and that she continues to adhere to her earlier conclusions. On tunnel- completion, independent and regular (at least 4 times a year) monitoring of the air quality around Seaforth Public and other educational facilities need to happen for at least 5 years to ensure the air quality is safe for children. Independent air quality monitoring also needs to be done throughout Seaforth for at least 5 years to ensure measures are not exceeding what’s been proposed in the EIS (which is bad enough).
o The EIS states that it will be up to the contractor to organize what route the heavy vehicle trucks will take to move the spoil away. The risk trucks leaving the Balgowlah golf course construction site will move through Seaforth is very high. Frenchs Forest road and the roundabout at Seaforth Village would not cope with that, particularly not during school drop-off and pick-up times as the corner at Frenchs Forest and Bangaroo Street already experiences high traffic volume during those times with lots of children around, this needs to be avoided. Adding almost one tuck every minute to this scenario will cause chaos and potential accidents during this time. There needs to be regulations on what way and at what times these tracks can move during Seaforth. Furthermore, there needs to be independent monitoring of construction and truck movements with a reporting hotline as well as independent monitoring of operation and publicly available data.
- Environmental impacts:
We live along the Burnt Bridge Creek, we use the path along the creek at least 3-4 times every week for recreational activities (going for a run, bike ride with the kids or a walk to Manly). With the projected permanent loss of up to 96% of the base water flow of the Burnt Bridge Creek there will be no creek left. The ecological impact of the tunnel on the Burnt Bridge Creek is huge and will impact all the vegetation, flora and fauna.
The expected discharge 428,000l of waste water to the local storm water system Burnt Bridge Creek before it comes out at Queenscliff Lagoon is unacceptable, as it will destroy this ecosystem. Another route and way to source water for tunneling needs to be found, it’s not acceptable that the tunneling will draw from our ground water risking all vegetation and flora along the Seaforth to Manly Lagoon corridor! There needs to be a review assessing the impact the reduced baseline flows in Burnt Creek will have on the ecosystem and vegetation.
- Traffic impacts:
o The main roads we use to move in and out of our local area (Spit Reserve West, Wakehurst parkway, Burnt Bridge Deviation) are all planned to become construction sites for the tunnel, which means that during the 6+ years of construction, we will be completely caught amid 3 construction sites unable to move in and out of Seaforth. On top of that we have a major increase of heavy vehicle movement, on the days we do have to go the office, how are we meant to commute to the city or elsewhere?
o In the EIS it states that in 2027 on tunnel completion it is estimated that the commute from Seaforth to Frenchs Forest will increase by 10min. My husband works in Frenches Forest and my daughters are meant to go to Forest High so will be impacted immensely by this. So even though the tunnel is meant to improve traffic, locally it does the reverse. We’ll have longer wait times on Sydney Road intersection, a longer commute to Warringah Mall and to Frenchs Forest and anywhere locally just to be able to commute quicker further away, i.e. the city.
o Even though the tunnel will potentially improve the commute to the Norther Beaches, our local roads will not cope with the increased traffic. Parking and traffic on weekends at Clontarf and Manly is chaotic already and bringing more people in without adequately updating local roads, facilities and parking lots at Clontarf, Manly, and most of the other Northern Beaches will create chaos. I ask that an impact study is done which reviews the impact on the local Northern Beaches roads, to Clontarf, Palm Beach and Ku-Ring-Ghai National Park as it’s questionable to build a tunnel but not update the rest of the local road network.
In summary, it seems that the only people gaining by the construction of the tunnel are people in Mossman as traffic will decrease by 10% on Military Road. 10% is ridiculous and surely could be achieved by better public transport. Residents around Seaforth will not have easy access to the tunnel but will bear most tunnel construction impacts. The whole project seems to be very rushed and doesn’t have people’s and the environment’s best interest at heart. We cannot ignore the impact of COVID on future traffic movements this is just short sided. To fully understand what will happen post COVID this project needs to be given more time and a more thorough review of the status quo in 1-2 years’ time needs to happen instead of using the past as a predictor of the future. Modelled traffic savings, i.e., to save 35 minutes when commuting to Balgowlah to the city in 2037, are not adequate as these models have been done without Covid and a change of working arrangements in mind, plus they are based on worst case scenarios in peak traffic, as well as based on not improving public transport which is very disappointing. Why are no other public transport solutions considered instead of the tunnel which will destroy so much fauna and ecosystem, removing 2000 trees, costing an estimated $14 billion, and requiring 6 years of construction?Building this tunnel will encourage the usage of cars instead of public transport which would be a more sustainable solution for the future generations.

I am very concerned about the impact of the project on my young family during the construction phase. I am particularly concerned about the traffic, noise and air quality impacts from trucks along Brook St and Flat Rock Drive. I would like the Government to put in place all feasible measures to alleviate the impact on residents. I believe these could include sound protection walls, curfews on truck movements, traffic lights at Grafton Ave to allow safe turning into and out of Brook St. I'm very concerned about environmental impacts in Flat Rock Gully bushland and loss of access to walking tracks. If this project has to go ahead, please ensure the minimum damage and disruption for the residents of Naremburn, who do not stand to gain from the project.

Objection: Beaches Link Tunnel
We are a group of residents (approx 11 homes) on the Golf Course frontage located between Pickworth Street to the South and Brighten Street to the North in Balgowlah. Our community is located in the area stated as LCA 50.1 We are a little Community that are very supporting to each other, however over the last 30 months since this projects announcement, many have suffered anxiety, depression and even suffered marriage breakdowns from the ongoing stress! We have recently had a number of the Community who lived here in their home for decades move out as a result of this proposed project. Some families have tried to sell but found their properties value is significantly less JUST BECAUSE they are located on the Golf course!

This Submission is to express our strong Objection to the Beaches Link Tunnel.

Our properties are highlighted in EIS documents to be expected to significantly suffer throughout the construction phase of 7 years from incredible noise, significant vibration, dust and light impacts, making our lives in many instances almost unbearable. We have been made aware of Construction fatigue at varying levels & it will be experienced by our Community. Families and individuals will suffer not just from a lack of sleep but unable to focus on work tasks; mental health etc. Many of these families now work from home because of the changes to work practices thru COVID.

Exhaust Stack
Implementing a filtered stack as a minimum. Ventilation stacks should be filtered and in line with world standards. In our homes on the we have a number of families with children, even with filtering stacks the concentrated fumes are harmful for undeveloped lungs and brains let alone unfiltered. And not justified by any publicly released business case.

We are very concerned about the inconsistencies in the air quality modelling for the RWR receptors, reading thru the EIS information mentioned is proving to be untrustworthy.

Construction Site
We are aware of increased truck movements on/off the site. This Project will circulate 495 heavy vehicle movements and 1195 light vehicle movements per day on the Balgowlah Golf Course site which is already subject to capacity traffic movements at both Sydney Road and Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation. - Add to that the Increased traffic on local roads with truck stack parking and decreases existing residential parking which lessens land value. Also putting the safety of our local children at risk.
Construction workers parking in & around our local streets, trucks waiting to pick up spoil affect the opportunity for local residents to find park their vehicles - At a minimum we expect the contractor be required to provide parking for workers at all times on site to protect residents parking. Also Local Government must allocate local resident parking zones & must be monitored in case of illegal parking.
Post completion its stated in the proposal for a reconfiguration of current natural looking landscape full of trees and flora and fauna, we insist that a number of mature, healthy trees to remain on the Golf course and have identified them numbers 720, 721, 758-771 and 20331 - 20360. These trees retained would assist with blocking significant noise during and post construction, assist with containment of dust and maintain established flora for the 100’s of bird life who have made the Golf course their home.
Residents are very concerned the noise from shouting and whistles associated with many sports will negatively impact residents. Concerns with ambient light will direct light at night to a number of residents homes who do not have any such affects currently. It will affect significantly and options for compulsory purchase at a current market value should be offered or a requirement for adequate compensation from the Northern Beaches council or NSW Government to be offered to affected residents included in the plans.

We are concerned the visuals currently presented in the EIS do portray the visual impact of the Motorway Facilities building as well as the Exhaust stack in the Balgowlah Golf Course.We believe all our properties will see the Exhaust Stack we do not accept the impact of this on their lives or property value.
A large amount of dust is expected to be generated by tunnelling, truck movements, earthworks concrete manufacturing and some of the spoil is intended to be used to flatten the site for post build reconstruction. Our homes are likely to not be able to open doors and windows or hang washing outside for the entire construction period (over 7 years).

The physical impacts to our properties from vibration or changed water table are very concerning.The EIS shows that many properties in the area will suffer potential cosmetic damage from vibrations. The NSW Government or the tunnel contractor MUST offer the services of an Independent specialist to prepare a report of the pre-construction state for properties prior to commencement of the project & at no cost to the residents. We expect that the NSW Government or construction company will pay for repairing to a proper standard any damage to my property.

Throughout the entire project the noise levels for our properties are at best deemed to have construction noise being clearly audible through to moderately intrusive including at night and outside standard hours. This is very concerning.
Shown in the current plans a car park at the top of the Golf course is and below that a very large facilities building. We OBJECT to the construction of such a massive eyesore construction building, where once was a grassy tree lined 8th hole outlook. We would expect this structure to be moved closer into the construction site away from the back gates and paths of our homes. All these homes fronting the Golf course at one time or another were purchased at a premium because of the lovely out look, concerns by the residents that their view be not onto a toilet block. Considerable concerns on the effects of the value or the de-value of our homes.

Our son is currently a Year 8 student at Balgowlah Boys Public School which will be heavily impacted if this tunnel build proceeds. The negative impacts from the building site directly opposite the school and the ongoing tunnel ventilation outlet are deeply concerning. The P&C at Balgowlah Boys have made a submission detailing the concerns of the wider school community. These adverse impacts cover both the construction and operational phases of the proposed works which will severely impact on the whole school 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.
Personally, our son currently cycles to and from school from North Manly, along the Burnt Bridge cycle path and entering Dudley Street, before using the pedestrian bridge across Sydney Road. Many students use this route which will be severely disrupted if not impossible during the construction phase. If construction does go ahead, I request pedestrians and cyclists both continue to have access from the Burnt Bridge cycle path to Balgowlah Boys.
As a resident of the Northern Beaches for the past 20 years, I understand the frustrations some drivers have with the slow traffic across Spit Bridge and through Mosman. However the modelling of the traffic flow predicted with the Beaches link has minimal improvements in journey time at significant environmental cost and disruption to the local community, including a great impact to the students at Balgowlah Boys.

My daughter has very bad astma and we live not to far up the hill from where the proposed smoke stack will be. This project is extremely bad for the environment as it will put thousands of more cars on the roads which will inevitably reduce any time saving on travel. Its a waste of money and disgrace that you would plan to put an unfiltered smoke stack so close to multiple schools. Preferring financial and political gain over childrens health and the environment is disgusting.

I have concerns around the length of time this project will take and the damage it will do to the existing surroundings and environments. The current regenerated bush lands are very important to the native animals that live there. The devastation it will cause will be irreversible. There is no guarantee that it can be returned to the current state. The time frame for project is also very long. The amount of government projects that have blown out in time frames makes me wonder how long this project will actually take and therefore the cost and benefits it will return to the community. The money spent towards improving public transport and the infrastructure will be more beneficial to the wider community vs the people who can afford a car and drive.

attached pdf

I have concerns about points stated within the Beaches Link EIS, specifically but not limited to significant land clearing within the Seaforth precinct creating further habitat fragmentation within the area. Commitment to re-planting with endemic species (as per the recognised vegetation community) with a minimum 3 year maintenance period - specifically, weeding and watering should be tabled. Retention of locally endemic, mature trees should be managed - ideally to maintain canopy connection.
Commitment to an assurance that no direct or indirect impacts to the Grey-headed Flying Fox colony is required. Changes to hydrology appears to have a likely significant impact to this colony, Burnt Bridge Creek and coastal wetlands. This is unacceptable.

The Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection proposal will have unacceptable impacts in the vicinity of Northern Beaches Secondary College-Balgowlah Boys Campus, Manly Dam and Burnt Bridge Creek for the reasons outlined below.

Balgowlah Golf Course construction support site

The impacts of the Balgowlah Golf Course construction support site are well set out in the Northern Beaches Secondary College-Balgowlah Boys P&C submission.

It is inconceivable that the NSW Government would consider such a development on a site across the road from a school with 1,200 students.

During construction, the proposal will adversely impact students, teachers and staff in terms of noise in classrooms and outdoor areas, dust, vibration, increased traffic and disruption on Maretimo Street and Sydney Road, air pollution, and access to Balgowlah Oval for sport.

Operation of the tunnel will result in air pollution from the ventilation outlet, and traffic noise and disruption experienced by students and staff.

Manly Dam and Burnt Bridge Creek

Concerns about Manly Dam and Burnt Bridge Creek are sedimentation of waterbodies and watercourses, and impact on the stream flow of Burnt Bridge Creek to the point where it would no longer function as a watercourse.

The impacts of the proposal far outweigh the benefits.

I absolutley object to this wasteful project. This is unnecessary infrastructure that is aimed at providing money to the construction industry and developers. Simple as that.
This project represents policy that is ignorant, shortsighted and has no regard to changes in transport and working arrangments that have resulted from the Covid 19 pandemic. The current NSW Goverment promotes its image on presenting massive infrastructure regardless of the public interest of the infrastructure or the social or environmental impacts resulting from its construction.
The devastating impacts of this unnecessary project will cause the following problems:
- contamination of marine and land ecosystems
- 5 years of major transport disruption for the lower north shore, which is likely to be longer given terrible delays in infrastructure projects
-health and saftey risks to the community and wildlife
-the loss of thousands of trees
-1000's of construction vehicles moving around the Naremburn locality each day
-unfiltered emissions stacks near schools, homes and playing fields in the area
-extreme noise levels in the Flat Rock Drive area
-untold acquisition of properties in the Naremburn, Cammeray and Willoughby areas
-subsidence problems for a mulitude of suburbs surrounding the construction area
-more tolls and increased traffic as a result of the project, which is likely to be contracted to Transurban for several decades
-the business case for this unnecessary project has not been disclosed and the justification for its construction has not been transparent nor adequately explained
-the strong liklihood that all the landfill under Flat Rock Drive will be dug up and lead to devastating health and environmental ramifications for the whole area
I will continue to object to the approval and construction of this pernicious project.
It is to be hoped it does not proceed.
Regards

Wayne Kosh

Dear Sir / Madam,
We are supportive of the Project, however we are making a submission to the Beaches Link EIS and object to the decision making process, and the associated consultation & engagement related to the relocation of the construction support site from the western side of the Wakehurst Parkway, i.e. Seaforth Oval to Judith and Kirkwood Street (known as BL12).

Our concerns about locating the construction support site BL12 to Judith and Kirkwood Street include the direct impacts on the residents for what is predicted to be 5 years. Impacts will include but are not limited to:

1. Noise generation – construction works and vehicle movements within the support site will disturb local residents during standard construction hours (7am – 6pm), however use of the compound will inevitably occur 24 hours a day during peak periods;
2. Visual amenity / Light Spill – the visual impact once the trees and existing vegetation are cleared and replaced with demountable offices will be significant. We assume the offices will be stacked 2 high and will have 24hr security lighting which will disrupt adjacent residents.
3. Additional Traffic and Parking – the additional traffic volumes and construction personnel who will predictably use the local roads and park in the local streets will provide additional congestion and will serve as a major hazard to local families.

Our understanding from a review of the EIS and background documentation is that Chapter 4 Project development and alternatives, Section 4.5.7 states that TfNSW are to avoid sensitive communities where possible. Furthermore, it states "that community and stakeholder feedback were used to inform the identification and configurations of appropriate temporary construction support sites. The primary driver for the location of these sites was the objective of minimising environmental and community impacts, while being suitably located to facilitate the construction activities...... "
Could you please provide details of any community consultation that approved or endorsed the location of construction support site to Judith and Kirkwood Street? My reading of Chapter 4 of the EIS and other background information indicates that the consultation process was associated with the portal location which included an option A and B. After ‘further community consultation and design development determined the selection of portal location option B was determined to be the preferred tunnel portal location. TfNSW then moved the temporary construction support site location to the Sydney Water property on Kirkwood Street on the eastern side of the Wakehurst Parkway. The consultation was associated with the location of the Portal Site as opposed to the location of the temporary construction support site. My neighbours and I are not aware that there has been any community support for the location of the BL12 to be directly behind the residents of Kirkwood and Judith Street. Please provide any evidence of this consultation and approval by the community and also please demonstrate how this location ‘minimises potential impacts on the nearby community precinct’ and once again, how you have abided by one of the ‘key factors applied to identification of potential construction support sites’ including 'Avoiding sensitive environments and community locations where possible'.

Our belief is that there has been no consultation and TfNSW have simply chosen a convenient location without any regard for the local residents of Kirkwood and Judith Street. The decision to relocate the Portal Site should have no bearing on the construction support site. Furthermore, there would be numerous other locations available with some additional thought by TfNSW.
The cost of changing the construction support site prior to engagement of contractors will be negligible in consideration of the total Project costs, so we urge you to address the matter now.
Thank you for your due consideration and I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

I moved to Cammeray December 2019. My husband and I chose Cammeray to retire to because of the beautiful natural environment, the native animal and bird life, and the wonderful village lifestyle that Cammeray provides. We feel extremely lucky and privileged to be living in such a beautiful, natural part of Sydney. On a daily basis we enjoy the company of local wallabies, brush turkeys, owls, black snakes, water lizards, and more bird life than I can detail here.
I feel the Beaches link project possibly threatens many of those aspects of Cammeray that brought us here.

My primary concern is the works around Flat Rock Drive and Flat Rock Gully. As I understand it, the works involve removing thousands of trees and natural vegetation. I simply cannot see how this can have anything but a negative effect on all wildlife in the area. Removal of natural vegetation on such a large scale removes the homes and food sources for much of our loved wildlife, which is already challenged to live in the city.

I also understand that Flat Rock Gully sits atop an old waste dump and years of work have been expended to bring the area back to it’s original glory. I’m told the tunnelling under and through this area may release the contaminated water & soils risking the welfare of marine and land ecosystems.

Thirdly, I understand from the media that no alternative options have been tabled to provide a point of comparison for environmental, economic or transport efficiency. Without any serious comparisons or options for this project, how can we be sure this is the best path for moving the public around the Northern Beaches?

Without addressing the above issues, and I’m sure there are many more also to be addressed, I’m advising my objection to the Beaches Link in it’s current format.

Yours sincerely,
Wendy Champion

Once again with all the glossy graphics and technology, the system has failed with a major outage of the submissions online for most of today (Sunday 28th Feb), now I start 14 hours after I began to write several on the second last day. Unfortunatley last EIS for the WFU/WHT I spent so many hours of my precious spare time and 21 submissions later, the critical local issues and facts are still not understood or accommodated with common sense not winning in such a waste of tax payers money, yet again, I really shouldn't be surprised!

Objection submission to the Northern Beaches Tunnel Proposal 28.2.2021

I hope YOU the reader an employee of Roads NSW and your staff consider this proposal for the Northern beaches tunnel to be the best use of funds to dramatically improve the traffic management in this area and enhance the lives of the people who live here. My Neighbours and I are trusting your judgement, skills and data and we trust that you personally have presented a true picture of the likely outcomes without spin or presenting use cases and modelled outcomes that simply support the argument for the tunnel to ensure you keep your job. Because by the time the tunnel is built and there will be no way to hold you to account. However, you will always know if you did the right thing by the people who live here. You will each be responsible for the outcome.

I object to this proposal.

From a common sense perspective surely considerations such as making public transport free and making Spit and Military roads 24 hour clear ways would provide immediate solutions and better value with less damage to the environment.

We have to think differently in 2021 and not just treat the symptoms we must address the problem. The tunnel does not do this in my opinion. You have some of the smartest people in the world working with you surely you can come up with other solutions to address the traffic and transport problem without the creation of a risky asset that will cause so much harm and disruption.

I do not think enough thought has gone into this proposal and it has been rushed through the consultation process. The size of the EIS is too big for the average person to read and too complicated to consider in the time frame.

The threat to the existing environment is enormous. How could anyone think it is ok to take the Balgowlah Golf course for a road and facility block. The Golf course is the “lungs” of Balgowlah and also provides a green zone between residents and the Burnt Bridge Deviation road. Why can’t the link road be underground to preserve the Golf Course as is? There is no need for the tunnel facility building to be built on the golf course, surely it is all managed remotely so the facility could be located at traffic management headquarters in the city.

To see a proposal for an unfiltered exhaust stack in a valley is also crazy. Surely the residents of this area deserve to have it filtered. Why can’t ventilation tunnels be constructed to locate the stack somewhere not so close to people? Cost should not be the issue, people’s lives and wellbeing are at stake here.

The degradation of Burnt bridge creek during the build process I will not accept. It is not ok to take the water away from it and to destroy something that has been there for thousands of years. If you haven’t been and visited it please do you will observe the abundance of water life it is home to.

The outlined traffic flows do not make sense more traffic emptying on to Burnt Bridge Deviation and then moving down to Manly Vale will just move the congestion north. Nothing can be done to provide greater capacity in Manly Vale.

The outlined construction process will likely affect resident’s wellbeing and property. Noise, Dust, Air quality, truck movements and manufacture of materials will all contribute to an unpleasant place to live.

The work to be done from staging at Spit West Park will take away for a 5 to 7 year period a a huge civic asset from the community. The disturbance of the harbour floor for tunnel laying across middle harbour also poses a huge risk to the environment.


In conclusion in my opinion the project will not make the Northern Beaches a better place to live or visit. You are not solving the cause of the current traffic problem. The Northern Beaches and it people will pay a very high price for this tunnel if it goes ahead. The collateral damage it will cause will be irreversible to the environment and community. The only entity that seems to want this project is the NSW Government. I have not met one person on the Northern Beaches that wants it to proceed.

Sincerely


Mark Darton
Balgowlah Resident