Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

See attached submission.

I am greatly concerned about Northbridge Sailing Club’s sailing area being greatly compromised. All our sailing courses will be affected by the maritime exclusion zones between Seaforth Bluff and Clive Park associated with the submerged tunnel works across Middle Harbour, and the temporary re-location of yacht moorings into a zone northwest of Seaforth Bluff.

NSC is a significant part of my life. I love sailing, and the works will mean sailing at NSC will become more difficult, less attractive, and even potentially completely infeasible. NSC is a jewel of a club, with an amazing history and a strong community ethos, helping people like myself and my children to sail, a sport which is of particular importance in these Covid-19 affected times, being inherently a socially-distanced, outdoor pursuit that greatly assists with the collective mental health of the community (even in non-Covid times).

The impact on our club and community will be profound. With the sailing degraded we may lose members or be less able to attract new members, which affects the club’s viability. We depend on volunteers for our maintenance and improvements; if membership drops then there is simply less of a critical mass to regenerate the club following the Beaches Link construction.

We request TfNSW minimize the impact of maritime restrictions by urgently consulting in good faith with Northbridge Sailing Club, to help assist in retaining and regaining NSC’s attractiveness/viability.

Please see file below for my full list of objections

I object to the Beaches Link project on the following grounds: Construction will create massive travel inconvenience for many years, damage the environment, create unwanted pollution and noise and possible underground vibration.
We will likely to be directly affected as we are in the path of tunneling & construction. The planned ventilators are too close to adjacent schools.
Any new tunnel access will add to further traffic congestion as well as parking stress in the Manly area.
I am a long time member of the Balgowlah Golf Club where I play on a regular weekly basis (first in 1973 but regularly in the last 20 years). The current planning to put a link road through it will destroy my Golf Club. Loss of this 90 year old Golf Course will be a tragedy. Not only a serious loss for several hundred current members but a desecration of the natural environment (trees, a creek, wildlife & a wonderful breathing space) that encompasses the Golf Course. Sporting fields are no substitute. Why cannot the planners find another way to enter the proposed tunnel?
Finally, do we need a new toll road that will have a 10 year use by date? And why keep worshipping the car as a God? Time to look to other, more efficient transport systems including light rail, buses & increased ferry services in our area.
Please reconsider this unwanted & unnecessary proposal. Think again!

Dear Madam or Sir,

I am a resident of Northbridge, NSW and would like to firmly object to the Beaches Link Tunnel being constructed.

A major concern for my family and the other residents of Northbridge, Naremburn, Cammeray, Crow's Nest and Willoughby will be the negative health and multiple environmental impacts both short-term, during volatile construction over multiple sites, and the long-term fall out of the pollution in a variety of ways into our community.

The bushland at Flat Rock Gully as it currently stands, is resource utilised heavily by the local community, it is home to countless numbers of native flora and fauna. This area is not simply regenerated bushland, it is part of our communities backyard not a dive-site for a tunnel. The immediate area surrounding Flat Rock Gully such as the Baseball Field, Netball Courts and Willoughby Leisure Centre are relied upon by our community, we require these areas to be intact and accessed safely by our children. Disturbing the underlying contaminant problems dumped underneath Flat Rock Gully poses a real threat to all residents, both airborne and in the Flat Rock Gully water-ways and the paths in which the water flows. If the construction of this tunnel goes ahead, during the construction on a personal level; our family couldn't ride bikes to school as my children currently do, due to the air-pollution and danger presented by heavy vehicles used in the construction. In addition we would be unable to safely swim in the water at the Northbridge Baths due to the contamination risk from dredging the base of Middle Harbour for many years beyond construction; traffic in our immediate area would become so congested for many years of construction that it would be a very real issue of moving away from our home and this area; the continued air-pollution from the stacks surfacing from the tunnel pose ongoing risk to many more residents than the tunnel would benefit from.

The overarching issue to the NSW tax payer is the cost of the construction into multiple billions, v's the benefit to only a few who would actually use the tunnel on a regular basis. Our population needing access from the Northern Beaches to the West of the city speaks of a need to manage traffic overall. Surely getting carbon emitting vehicles off our roads is a goal in 2021, knowing what we do about car and truck emissions. Energy efficiency and traffic mitigation can be achieved through rail-link, which is a positive opportunity for our State to be a leader in traffic management, not converting back to outdated models that detrimently disturb the unique environment of Sydney Harbour and it's surrounds.

Thank you for your time to read my submission on behalf of myself and my family,
Jetta Lynch

Traffic is a huge issue for my partner and I. We commute to the city and Macquarie Park respectively from Balgowlah and travel times can really blow out in peak hour. We both care deeply about the environment so have read the EIS and have concluded that the efforts to avoid environmental damage such as silt curtains have solid data to back them up. Also Dr Kerry Chant’s commentary on the minimal contribution of the ventilation stacks to overall traffic emissions was good to hear. Thus for my partner and I, this is a important positive project and we are very happy for it to proceed.

I object to the Beaches Link EIS because the construction of the Dive Site in Flat Rock Creek Gully necessitates the destruction and hence permanent loss of 390 mature trees in Flat Rock Creek Gully. This is a devastating proposal at a time when green space is so precious.
In addition, the seabed contains heavy contaminants. This contaminated spoil will be dug out in the tunnelling process, and up to 500 square metres can be stored on the ground outside the Dive Site building at the top of Flat Rock Creek Gully.
There will be more than 900 extra heavy vehicle movements per day (2022 to 2028) along Flat Rock Creek Drive.
Noise impacts to homes and wildlife are severe.

I object on the following grounds:
- unfiltered stacks. Gladys herself objected to the use of these in the Lane Cove Tunnel, calling the filtration of stacks “ethically right in the interests of health”. Apparently she’s changed her tune and they’re fine to use here on the northern beaches. I find this tantamount to saying it is ok to poison people if it doesn't kill them immediately. If this was in YOUR suburb you would not agree to unfiltered stacks
- pollution of harbour as a result of dredging releasing contaminants. This may mean we no longer can safely use beaches such as clontarf, plus 428,000 litres of waste water pumped into Queenscliff each day may make this an unusable area also.
- destruction of habitat - they have detailed 23 species under threat in the EIS but there will be many more. Burnt Brudge Creek will probably dry up due to a potential 96% reduction in water flow!
- vibration and construction noise that residents will be subjected to over a 7 year period

Dear Katherine,

I understand the portal for feedback has crashed and that the Senior Planning Office wil manually input feedback.

Our main concern is the fact that trucks will be ferrying construction waste every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day up Sydney and Frenchs Forest Roads.

Even where we are in Kempbridge Avenue, the trucks carrying the waste from the initial road works along Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation and Hope Street Playground woke us up and kept us awake – and those trucks were only a small amount of time in the early hours of each morning, for a matter of months not years.

It is unfair to residents in the whole Hope Street / Kempbridge Ave / Frenchs Forest Rd to be having heavy trucks moving up that road at night.

(Also, of course, many of us now work from home during the day.)

Can we suggest a few shifts when a caravan of trucks might move away the waste: leaving 10pm-6am for sleeping. And perhaps a rest day on Sunday.

I object strongly to the Beaches Link EIS because of the devastating impact it will have on our green space and parkland in the North Sydney LGA, the pollution it will create, and the traffic impacts, all of which will severely erode the quality of life of local residents.

A permanent Works Depot will be constructed at the southern end of Cammeray Park, adjacent to Ernest Street. It will be a six story structure occupying 2.6 hectares - which is approximately 3 soccer fields - of current parkland, a very scarce resource in the NS LGA.

A seven story emission stack, unfiltered, will be constructed in Anzac Park, opposite Anzac Park Public School.

There will be traffic gridlock. The following intersections will fail during peak hours:
- West & Amherst Streets.
- Miller & Amherst Streets.
- Miller & Ernest Streets.
- Miller & Falcon Streets.
- Miller & Berry Streets.

Furthermore, the traffic situation will undermine the safety of school children who cross at these intersections during peak hours.

Hello,
I tried to submit via the website link but that is not working due to ‘site maintenance’ so please find below my submission in regards to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection - Application SSI-8862

As a parent of 2 students currently attending Northern Beaches Secondary College – Balgowlah Boys Campus I express my strong concern in regards to the construction of the above
As you are aware, the Balgowlah Boys campus is positioned directly adjacent to the proposed building site and will be severely negatively impacted by the proposed construction in regards to:
- excessive noise and vibration during construction: imagine sitting in a classroom for 6-7 hours every day trying to concentrate and listen to your teachers while around you there is constant and daily excessive noise of heavy machinery and trucks. The students will not be able to hear the teachers, will not be able to concentrate on their work and it will negatively impact on their mental well-being.
- Lack of open and physical activity space: Balgowlah Boys Campus currently utilises the Balgowlah Oval for their recess and lunch breaks as well as PE and sports classes and while the proposal states the oval will be relocated the noise, there will be some time before the relocation is finalised leaving the 1200 students without large open space as this oval is the only large open space the school has access to. Dust and vibration at this site will also have a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of the boys and teachers using Balgowlah Oval during construction.
- Excessive traffic congestion: which impacts the safety as well as punctuality of students trying to get to school on time
- Air quality: due to dust emissions from earthworks and demolitions, the health of students and teachers and staff will be compromised. These dust emissions might also contain contaminants (from contaminated soil) and additionally the exhaust from the increased traffic congestion around the school as well as the additional traffic of trucks (1,195 light truck movements, and 495 heavy truck per day!) and heavy machinery using diesel and other fuels, the concentration of airborne particle matter, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds will also heavily impact the air quality. After completion of the project, the location of the tunnel ventilation outlet would also greatly impact the air quality for the students and staff of the school if it remains unfiltered

It is my understanding the school’s P&C have put together a proposal for TfNSW and as a concerned parent and local, I urge TfNSW to adopt their mitigative measures to ensure the health, amenity and safety of the Balgowlah Boys school students, teachers, staff and the wider community.

It is completely unacceptable to build this project with two unfiltered smoke stacks in the middle of the community and especially so close to schools. While it might be 'permitted' under current legislation and guidelines, it is certainly not best practice and the local residents deserve better air quality outcomes.

OBJECTION TO NORTHERN BEACHES TUNNEL-
To Whom it may concern,
I strongly object to the Northern Beaches Tunnel proposal on environmental , spiritual and financial grounds.
This will be a massive disaster with close to 2000 trees being removed, 6 foot ,unfiltered smoke stacks that will see the increase in sickness and poor air quality. The Government should be promoting less cars on the road and fewer carbon emissions.
Certain wildlife at Manly Dam will become extinct, local flying fox and Bat colonies will be destroyed when they have vital roles to play.
Green space is precious and should be respected and protected...the character of Manly and the whole of the Northern Beaches will be ruined.
This is a terrifying, greatly upsetting prospect that needs to be stamped out now.
I hoping the decision makers have compassion, a soul and a conscience.
Thankyou for your time.
Regards
Nicole Warner

I object on the following grounds:
- unfiltered stacks. Gladys herself objected to the use of these in the Lane Cove Tunnel, calling the filtration of stacks “ethically right in the interests of health”. Apparently she’s changed her tune and they’re fine to use here on the northern beaches. I find this tantamount to saying it is ok to poison people if it doesn't kill them immediately. It is easy to make this decision to have unfiltered smoke stacks when you are not the one breathing it - If this was in YOUR suburb you would not agree to unfiltered stacks. I also find it absurd that there is an unfiltered stack in the middle of a planned sports precinct!
- pollution of harbour as a result of dredging releasing contaminants. This may mean we no longer can safely use beaches such as clontarf, plus 428,000 litres of waste water pumped into Queenscliff each day may make this an unusable area also.
- destruction of habitat - they have detailed 23 species under threat in the EIS but there will be many more. Burnt Brudge Creek will probably dry up due to a potential 96% reduction in water flow!
- vibration and construction noise that residents will be subjected to over a 7 year period
Attachments

While the project contains significant positives for active travel users, it also contains significant flaws, and I am unable to support the project in its current form until thorough consultation with active travel stakeholders is completed and the issues are addressed.
Details are provided in the attached submission.

I object to the Northern Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection for many reasons. 5 key reasons I feel these projects are not in the best interest of me, my family and my community are:

1. There is no business case. There has yet to be a true business case demonstrating the need for a direct link between Balmain and Balmoral. The project team have cited an anticipated 15% traffic reduction on military road, but what they have not explained clearly to the public is that this anticipated reduction is actually based on future estimated traffic. That estimate was made well before COVID and we now have a much stronger working from home culture that doesn't project the same traffic volumes. Moreover, the people of Mosman don't have an access to this tunnel - they still need to travel along Military Road to get there - so if they want a link, build the entry/exit in Mosman please, not North Sydney / Cammeray / Naremburn. Show us the real, revised business case that truly demonstrates the traffic savings.

2. The exhaust stacks are not filtered. The project team tried to make the case that dispersion from the stacks is better than street level traffic exhaust. Even if that were true with accurate traffic projections, the case for filtration is still there. Perhaps even more there, if traffic is truly set to increase. There are atleast 17 schools within 2km of the proposed exhaust stack near on Gore Hill Freeway / Cammeray Golf Course, and countless child care centres, parks, playgrounds, soccer fields, cricket ovals, basketball and tennis courts... all affected by the unfiltered, "dispersion" for a tunnel from Balmain to Balgowlah that has no known business case. These stacks must be filtered. Just because Australia doesn't have filtered stacks elsewhere doesn't mean we should keep that track record. If traffic truly is on the rise, then it is high time to start filtering the tunnels, particularly when 10,000s of school kids are at risk within such a short range.

3. The construction process and the final result will have permanently destroyed the necessary green space and trees we need in the community. It is insane the amount of destruction of nature that is planned by this project with little regeneration plans. The hundreds (or thousands) of trees you are destroying should be replanted and also replaced if we are to maintain any sense of tranquility and mental health. COVID has taught us this - the greenery must be restored to it's full place after the construction, and care must be taken to retain as much as possible during construction.

4. Tunks Park is built over a toxic waste dump and must not be disturbed and Flat Rock Creek must not be dredged, diverted and destroyed. The regeneration efforts have taken a full 25 yrs and we now have Wallabies in the reserve and a number of bird species have returned as well. Taking apart this area is like cutting off someone's legs after you've reattached their spine. Any disruption to the area is not only endangering the current flora and fauna, but also reversing the positive direction towards renaturalisation of the area which is a highly used recreational destination by all aspects of the community: young, old, dog owners, soccer games, baseball games, Cammeray Public sports, fishermen, picnickers, joggers and nature lovers. Do not destroy this beautiful reserve.

5. The WestConnex tunnel destruction to the communities and homes in the area of St Peters has proven the case that the noise, air pollution and constant vibration due to the construction of the tunnel as well as the constant traffic within the tunnel will greatly devalue my home and homelife if this Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection project goes forward. My home backs onto Brook Street at Palmer St and there has been no assessment of my apartment and the risk to it. We have allergies in our home, and young children - we cannot live an indoors hermetically sealed life that you have imposed on the homes affected by Westconnex air and noise pollution. Moreover, you will not be 50m below my home, and the vibrations will be unbearable. The resale value of my home will plummet. My kids are in school, we do not want to uproot them for this project. The construction itself is 8 years of hell and these are prime years for our family.

I vehemently object to this project for all the reasons above and many more. No business case. No air quality measures. Destruction of green spaces. Demolition of the nature reserve Flat Rock Gully and the neighbouring Recreational zone Tunks Park, and most of all, that we will lose our home and life savings as we won't be able to sell and purchase elsewhere when the construction destruction is known to buyers.
I plead you not not go ahead with this project.
Thank you for reading.
Susan Enners

P.S. I tried to submit earlier this weekend but this feedback site was down for " scheduled maintenance!" - The fact that it was scheduled maintenance days before a submission deadline seems very suspect not at all coincidental and I would like to request a deadline extension so that others who were unable to log on this weekend are able to do so later in the week.

I object to the Beaches Link tunnel project on the grounds that it will introduce more traffic to the beaches area than current infrastructure can comfortably support, and more traffic than would allow the current level of amenity of the northern beaches, particularly in summer. I strongly object to removal of nearly 2000 mature trees from the Garigal National Park/Bantry Bay and Manly Dam reserves and I object to the impact this will have to associated ecological communities. I object to unfiltered exhaust stacks being located near homes, schools and playing fields and the impact this will have on the community. I do not believe the project adequately addresses plume dispersal and strongly feel the stacks must be filtered.

I strongly object to the project in its current form. The main reasons being the detriment to the local environment including Burnt Bridge Creek. I believe the wildlife around the area will never recover. I also believe that the roads in Balgowlah earmarked for project trucks and detours to be used by drivers are simply not wide enough to cope with the increased volume of traffic which will result in safety issues for the large number of children walking to and from the school in the area and all local residents. Additionally the noise and dust created so close to residences will certainly have a detrimental affect on local residents’ physical and mental health. I cannot understand why this project is proposed to go ahead when I understand the overall reduction in traffic on Military Road will only 10%. Surely the beat way forward would be to provide better public transport for the area thus reducing the effect on the environment including reducing green house gas emissions. More roads only equals more cars and this is not what we need for a cleaner greener world.

Please delete version uploaded on 27 February, I noticed a few typos.
Thank you.
Please refer to the PDF attached which outlines my objections to the tunnel, including but not limited to the latest link road design and the unfiltered ventilation stack locations on the northern beaches. In addition I have detailed my objections relating to specific locations within the Balgowlah and Seaforth communities and the use of Balgowlah Golf Course (BGC) as a construction site for this project.

I am objecting to this project on the basis of the impact this will have on biodiversity in Sydney. I have attached a detailed submission