Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

I am concerned about the environmental impacts on Manly dam, the major disruption to Balgowlah boys high school as well as the health impacts of the unfiltered smoke stacks. These are all significant concerns with long term consequences. No one of which seem to have been adequately addressed.
I am not opposed to progress and was initially keen on the idea of the tunnel but as the results of further studies into its impact have been released I have become increasingly concerned that the environmental and human cost greatly outweighs the minimal benefit to traffic flow.
If the government are keen to take this on and in the process create much needed jobs, perhaps it would be wiser to make the Spi bridge wider, and make it fit for purpose?

Refer attached submission

I am strongly against the Beaches Link project proceeding.
Kindly see the attachment for my full submission.

In a world which has been turned on its head over the last twelve months, if we have learned nothing it should be to protect our neighbourhoods, our sense of community and our precious, irreplaceable environments at all costs. Roads and concrete infrastructure should be at the bottom of our priority list. The focus instead should be in amazing first class public transport - bus networks that actually work and service the community, more ferry options and infrastructure which further enables people to work from home to enable families to balances their lives. This type of road / tunnel solution has no place in a community that values nature and connection with one another.
Please see my specific objections are set out in the attached letter.
Regards
Nicole

As a Life Member of Northbridge Sailing Club (incorporating Seaforth Moth Sailing Club), I am very concerned about the effect the project will have on the club. My grandchildren are at an age where they are starting to sail at the club and I would very much like that to continue.

It would appear that the proposed works together with the movement of moorings will have a significant impact on the club’s operations. Key issues are:
• The reduction in sailing area by about half and the impact on courses that can be sailed.
• The impact on the sailing school and the ability to teach young people to sail.
• The two year time frame during which members will likely move away from the club to sail elsewhere, maybe never to return.
• The appeal of the club will be finished during this period reducing the intake of new members.
• The loss of community spirit in this volunteer club which is the mainstay of its existence.
• The effect of these impacts on the financial viability of the club.

While not objecting to the project as a whole, I would like the department to consider ways to mitigate the effect on the club and to consult directly with the club as to how this can best be achieved.

The Seaforth tunnel portal on Wakehurst Parkway will be located virtually on the doorstep of Seaforth Football Club which represents 3,500+ members, family and supporters. It is the largest football club on the northern beaches.
Our submission response to the EIS is attached.

Alan Glixman
Secretary
Seaforth FC

I am objecting to this Infrastructure Project for a number of reasons.
Economically it does not make sense. At today’s date you are stating the project will be TWELVE THOUSAND MILLION DOLLARS and we know historically you always underestimate the total costs, so goodness knows how many Thousands of Millions of Tax Payer dollars it will eventually cost. I don’t understand how you can hold your head up to other NSW tax payers, especially ones who have suffered the drought, bushfires, and lack of custom due to Covid.
You have given us an enormous (user unfriendly) EIS to try to absorb, but incredibly no business case for a project costing so much. If you were in private enterprise, you would not be able to spend this money without a substantial Business Case.
I am also absolutely opposed to the project for the environmental destruction it will bring. Both to the Willoughby site and also the Balgowlah and Seaforth Portals. You have total disregard for the environment in your EIS.
Burnt Bridge Creek:-
You state “Maximum flows of Burnt Bridge Creek would be reduced by 96% after 100 years of operation (Chap 17 p57)”.
• Burnt Bridge Creek will effectively end as a naturally flowing creek. Water flowing down the creek
will be drained (flow reduced 96%) and underground water pumped out to a depth of 11m. This is
necessary to stop water dripping into the tunnel.
• The creek and area around it will be dried out and incapable of supporting tall leafy trees and
riparian bushland.
• The creek through the golf course will be turned into a cement stormwater drain, wider than the
current creek and deeper into the ground. This is to remove water more quickly to keep the land dry
and prevent water entering the tunnel. This will kill trees and water-loving plants.
• The bat colony will be unable to survive once the creek and water retention dam on the golf
course are removed. Other animals will likewise have no water.
• The quick discharge of water into Manly Creek will increase sediment and send road runoff into
the creek without the current filtering process, lowering water quality in Manly Creek and out to
Queenscliff beach.
• Instead of a creek, we will have a cement stormwater drain. It will probably need a fence around it
to prevent people falling in. It will be ugly.
Wakehurst Parkway Widening:-
Over 15 hectares of bush are destined to be destroyed to expand the Wakehurst Parkway. This includes the removal of nearly 1.5 hectares of Duffys Forest Endangered Ecological Community-some of the rarest vegetation on the planet. This is listed as a SERIOUS AND IRREVERSIBLE IMPACT (page 207 of Appendix S). Please look for other ways to move people to and from the Northern Beaches – including increased Public Transport.
Clearing of forest will occur at the headwaters of steep gullies and fragile creeks that feed Manly Dam Reservoir. The EIS states that “There is the potential for impacts on aquatic biodiversity due to reduced water quality during operation due to the presence of sensitive receiving environments” (Chap 19 p 67)
Land clearing of wildlife habitat is one of the key drivers of extinction with a projected 9 out of 10 animals to be displaced from their habitats by 2050. The Beaches Tunnel project would be part of this catastrophe for nature.
The Rocky features along the current roadside will be jack-hammered or blown up with explosives then unceremoniously *dumped into the park’s bushland causing more damage. (*Appendix S p188) These rocky areas were identified as being habitat for threatened species such as the Rosenberg Goanna and the Large-eared Pied Bat.
Manly Warringah War Memorial Park (Manly Dam)
Manly Dam should be protected. Manly Dam wall was built in 1892 to provide a water supply for the small settlement of Manly. To safeguard the newly created reservoir from pollution, its surrounding water catchment was consequently strictly protected. Our society inherited a pristine bushland sanctuary, rich in Aboriginal heritage and glorious enough to be declared a War Memorial Park to honour our veterans (circa 1920). Manly Warringah War Memorial Park holds particular significance in remembering fallen service personnel from the First and Second World Wars, as well as being of significance to past and present-day members of the Defence forces. It is the only war memorial to be created by conserving natural bushland.
Northern Beaches Council is currently nominating the park for National Heritage listing, such are its heritage and environmental values. It was gazetted as a “State Park” on 7th April 2017 to, (ironically), provide it with a higher level of protection.
Manly Dam Reservoir is the last unpolluted lake in Sydney where it is still safe to swim. Its catchment is especially sensitive because it exists within an urban environment and its waterways are already under stress from encroachment.
Middle Harbour
Dredging Middle Harbour and the sediment impacts:
A section of Middle Harbour would be dredged and 6 barge loads of material a day would be dumped at sea (Chap 1 p 12) This will involve the disturbance of toxic sludge. This sludge will then pollute Clontarf Beach, Sandy Bay and all of Middle Harbour. The impact from the Flat Rock Gully excavation will also have catastophic polutting impacts on Middle Harbour and the fish and sea grasses.
Air Quality Modelling
The importance of air quality modelling accuracy is that the public has trust in it. In your EIS there have been a number if inconsistencies in the air quality modelling for RWR receptors, which means we have no trust in your numbers.

Please see attached letter

The local community relies very heavily on flat rock creek gully and removal of this nature reserve for access would have major impacts on the community in addition to the plant and animals that call it home.
In addition the increase pollution not just from the air stacks post build but the years ahead of increase trucks adding to env pollutions and noise pollution to the local area
We are a community of young families and do not want to see our lifestyle and health be jeopardized for the sake of a tunnel which has no benefit to us or the environment
It’s a disgrace that any project would be considered to go ahead with clearly documented health and environmental impacts

To proceed with this project at this point appears both strategically and financially flawed.

The investment arithmetic on the project is clearly now outdated
... the analysis on this project was completed pre-COVID
... the world is a completely different place now
... all project analysis should be re-calibrated for the new world in which we find ourselves
... not just the financial metrics of the project
... but also both the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the needs and wants of NSW residents ... and the disruption to the environment, natural habitat, destruction of unique aboriginal sites etc

It seems irresponsible, in fact negligent, to proceed with the project based on assumptions which are clearly out of date
The whole financial project risk/return analysis should be re-assessed. For example it is no longer clear if the optimal return on the NSW Government’s capital will come from this project. Are the need of the NSW population still the same? ... surely the merits of the project should be recalculated and re-considered as post COVID there may be far more higher yielding projects across the state. Almost certainly other major infrastructure projects are more urgent post COVID, such as improving transportation from regional areas, where the population is now shifting, rather than building more infrastructure within Sydney itself.

I cannot fathom another major commercial infrastructure project in Australia (or globally) which has not been re-evaluated in the light of COVID?
To not reassess both the investment arithmetic ... and the social benefits of this project seems uncommercial, in fact highly unprofessional, and negligent.

I would hope the NSW Government would be more sophisticated in its allocation of tax payers funds and capital ... rather than proceeding with out-dated forecasts and assumptions ... and based on with wishes of the NSW population which have dramatically changed post COVID (e.g more focus on environment). This would never happen in the commercial world. And to proceed with such out of date inputs, financial modeling, and cost+benefit analyst, in my view reflects very poorly on the credentials of the NSW Government.

The numbers no longer add up ... or as an outsider looking in ... if they ever did, they would have now certainly dramatically altered.

Thus the NSW Government, should pause, re-conducted its analysis and financial modeling ... this is the most professional and socially just way to proceed ... in which case I suspect after community consultation, and the changes in voting population which have occurred post COVID ... will point to a conclusion that this project should never proceed. The benefits is simply do not outweighs the costs - financial, environmental, societal, and last but not least political.

Thank you for considering my perspective.

Andrew McLeod

I object to the tunnel proposal which means destroying bushland, a local creek and flushing almost half a million tonnes of wastewater into Manly Lagoon each day. This will in turn impact the water quality of Manly and Queenscliff beaches.
I also object to the disturbance of toxic soils in Middle Harbour and pollution from unfiltered air stacks, across Seaforth, North Balgowlah and Balgowlah.
In particular the placement of the unfiltered air stacks is not acceptable, being close to schools and childcare facilities. The health of children is at risk. Air stacks should be located far from schools and filtered.
The tunnel idea is outdated and not consistent with measures to reduce pollution, improve public health and improve our environment. It is 6+ years of disruption to the beaches, a $12 billion spend and will only save a few mins of travel time. The business case is very flawed.
It seems a terrible waste of money. I would like to see a study completed comparing this proposal to public transport improvements to reduce travel time.
I also object to the community consultation process period not being extended. There are 10,000 pages of complex information in the EIS, which the community is expected to read in a very short, unreasonable timeframe to enable them to comment. The EIS community consultation process has been handled very poorly and there should be an immediate extension/reopening so that other community members are able to participate and have their say.

1. The EIS does not address the issues faced by Balgowlah Boys High School. The dust, noise and vibration will severely impact my son in his senior years (he will be in Year 10 when the project is expected to commence. The parking and traffic situation from staff associated with the project will make access to the school difficult and dangerous. The traffic situation in the narrow streets around the school is intolerable at peak periods.
2. The EIS does not take into account the traffic congestion and the increased road level pollution the tunnel will cause to local streets as Northern Beaches residents try to find faster paths to tunnel entrance. My street is nominated by the EIS as a probable rat run. So street level pollution is relocated from Burnt Bridge Creek deviation to my street and adjoining streets. The EIS does not take into account traffic delays in local streets as drivers attempt and wait to join Sydney Road. Woodland and Griffiths Streets are main pathways to Manly West Public School and Woodland will become unsafe to have significant increase in traffic.
3. The tunnel works will significantly impact our natural environment with the drying up of the Burnt Bridge Creek. It also deprives my family of the enjoyment of walking along the creek and enjoying this unique spot close to home. The EIS is unsympathetic to the destruction that will be caused to flora and fauna because of the works or because of the drying up of the creek. Wastewater from the construction finding its way to Queenscliff and Clontarf is environmentally unacceptable.
4. The tunnel will lead to even more congestion at the Freedom intersection at Manly Vale. It currently takes me 10 mins to get through traffic lights in the afternoon to head north. The tunnel will excerbate this as more people choose to use their vehicles (particularly with recent bus timetable changes making getting to the city more convoluted and increasing daily travel time by an hour for some people).

I object to this tunnel because there are better solutions which were not considered in any depth, nor does the EIS consider traffic changes as a result of covid.

We strongly object to this project given the extreme impact on both our property and our family. Property prices will be affected negatively, we will have increased traffic on local streets we use daily as well as noise and air pollution, which is of major concern as we have a young family.

The NPA strongly objects to the Beaches Link EIS as per the attached document.

I object to the Northern Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection on the following basis:
- Business Case: the cost of this project significantly out weighs the benefits of the project - a reduction of 10% of traffic on Military Road is not a significant enough saving to justify at a cost of $10- $12 Billion. Beyond this the government should be looking at directing this investment into more sustainable transport programs including better public transport to reduce the need for use of cars.
- Irreversible environmental damage: the widening of the road along Wakehurst Parkway will be lead to significant damage to the local environment and animal diversity. The potential for damage to not only local habitats but also Manly Dam are significant and will ruin these parkland areas for future generations. The EIS notes that "The project operational water quality design targets would not be achieved at the Wakehurst Parkway..."
- There appears to be little consideration and planning for traffic flows to and from the tunnel entrances, with the risk that the creation of rat-runs will further lock up local roads that are already overburdened - for evidence consider the current traffic flows through the Balgowlah Rd/Condamine St intersection as well as surrounding roads such as Roseberry St.
- Whilst it is natural for there to be disruption during the construction phase of a project of this scale, it appears that for this project that could last for 7-8 years (the project estimates 6 years but the track record of other projects suggest this is an ambitious time frame) - again the business case for this project does not seem to support the impact to local residents during this phase (ie. the lifestyle cost locals pay during this phase does not deliver a benefit at the conclusion to justify the project).

This is a project that delivers relatively little (if any) benefit, at a massive cost, but has the potential to cause massive environment destruction and reduce the quality of life of local residents.

.

This is an update of the previous submission. This submission is dated 1 March 2021

I, Ulla Krause, of North Balgowlah would like to
strongly OBJECT to the Beaches Link
based on the huge environmental impact, obstruction caused by the massive project and reduced parking in Manly and surrounds.. This tunnel doesn't solve the existing problems with cars at either end of the tunnel. How about putting a price tag on cars going into Sydney for work and halving the price on busses taking people into work.
I'm shocked to see that the exhaust pipes from the tunnel will not have any filters.. properties will be impacted on a very large scale.

I object to the project as I am concerned about the impacts to the local community and I don't think the benefits outweigh the costs. I am especially concerned about the following aspects around North Balgowlah and Seaforth and would like them addressed in the conditions of approval, if this project goes ahead:
- Filter stacks should be added to prevent harmful fumes polluting our local community, especially the children close by in schools / child care
- Depths of the tunnel under Lister Ave, Seaforth. Concerned about the proposed depths of the tunnel under houses and the impacts / potential damage to property as a result. I am especially concerned about what is said in the EIS and then what the contractor will actually do i.e. 22m becomes 15m. This is unacceptable. It needs to be mandated in the conditions of approval to prevent contractors from changing the depths under houses i.e. should be above 30m.
- Conditions of approval need to be very prescriptive in terms of engagement (not just one way flow of info) with the local community - we need to be asked how we want to be communicated to / engaged with - not just letterbox drops telling us what's happening and that's it.
- Conditions of approval need to be very tight overall to prevent contractor just undoing all the commitments that TfNSW have made. We have seen this on other projects and it is unacceptable.
- Impact to people and properties, during the very long construction period. Living in a construction zone with associated traffic, noise, dust, etc. is not why we moved to this quiet suburb.
- Construction work hours need to be reasonable and respectful - daytime with respite on Sat afternoon and Sunday.
- Impact to Burnt Creek Deviation is unacceptable. Find another solution instead of cutting off water to this creek. This walk / creek area has been a safe haven for our community, especially during COVID.
- Minimize impact to local schools and day care - these construction sites are often 2 blocks away and resulting dust, noise and traffic is unacceptable for young children.
- Traffic is a big concern - especially rat runs through local streets and tradies parking on streets.
- Associated development that will come as a result of the tunnel. As happens with other associated infrastructure projects, there will be an increase in development / zoning in the local area. Again, this is not what this local community is about and why we all moved here.
- If the tunnel goes ahead it should have it's own dedicated bus lane to encourage public transport use.
Thank you for considering these issues and addressing them in the conditions of approval - we are relying on you to ensure our local community survives this.

As a resident of Fairlight, an Architect, an urban planner, a parent of students at NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus and a lover of the special environment of the Northern Beaches, I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection for many reasons.

I will concentrate on the following key issues for this submission:
1. A new motorway is the wrong infrastructure to support sustainable future growth of the Northern Beaches
2. The project is being rushed for political reason despite zero business case and a low priority for Infrastructure Australia
3. Public information about the project has been very misleading
4. The impacts on NBSC Balgowlah Boys Campus pose a serious threat to the learning environment at the school, the safety of the boys and the mental and physical health of the school community
5. The environmental damage to be caused by the widening of the Wakehurst Parkway, the dredging of Middle Harbour, the removal of groundwater under the Burnt Bridge Creek and the loss of thousands of trees is unacceptable and deeply tragic.

Each issue is discussed in detail in the attached pdf.