Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

This is going to be far too detrimental to our environment, traffic and lifestyle

The basis is set out in the attached submission of today's date.

As a resident of Balgowlah I strongly object to this project for the following reasons:

The community consultation process has been extremely poor. To expect residents to be able to read a 12,000 page document in the time frame given factoring is not acceptable. The expectation that we are able to read and understand the detail of such a document is also completely unreasonable. I have had to rely on other community members to help me understand the impact this project has on me.
-Living in a home that backs onto Balgowlah golf course, the impact during construction is going to be detrimental to my life. I have young children sleeping during the day and playing in the garden. They will be impacted by noise and dust from construction.
- Unfiltered smoke stacks in the immediate vicinity of an area filled with families and elderly people, as well as school and child care facilities is completely unacceptable. Any stack must be filtered. Even our premier said in 2008 that world best practice is to filter stacks. She is now backtracking on her earlier comment, when the cost will be from her government.
- With 3000 workers located at the Balgowlah golf course work site, this will put pressure on street parking. Wanganella street is already congested as a result of commuters parking there, we cannot sustain that level of workers in the area. Suggestions that they will be brought in buses in are unrealistic. How will this be monitored and policed?
- The loss of flora and fauna in the Burnt Bridge Creek in Manly Dam areas is unacceptable. As well as the downstream impact to Queenscliff and environmental impact at Middle harbour.
- This project has not been compared to alternate public transport measures. We are living in a world where climate change is real. Why are we building more roads to encourage more people to drive? Any forward thinking country in the world is doing the opposite. We should be investing in public transport, not a tunnel. We have a responsibility to our children and our children's children to protect and retain this beautiful place that we live in. This project goes against this completely. I object to it and urge the State Government to reconsider.
- The business case for this project has not been published. As taxpayers we should be entitled to know how much this is going to cost us. I object to our money being spent this way and believe that public transport would not only be beneficial for our environment but also save the taxpayers billions of dollars.

I wish to lodge my objections to the beaches link tunnel based on the following points ; -
1. the EIS is not current and much of it was written before covid. therefore the facts and data it contains are irrelevant to current situation eg with respect to travel time data, post covid - there is much less dependency on peak hour travel. many more people are working from home and will continue to do so as workplaces have become more flexible. thus a new, up to date post-covid EIS needs to be written and re submitted for community consultation.
2. the 'beaches tunnel' has been declared "worlds best practice', however, this is untrue, as 'world's best practice' would include filtration of the tunnel ventilation/emission stacks. as plainly stated in the eis, these will NOT be filtered, therefore this plan for beaches tunnel is NOT worlds best practice, therefore, until it can be deemed, "worlds best practice', it should NOT go ahead.
3. the name 'beaches link' is a misnomer as the tunnel goes to Balgowlah. not to the beach. thus, this is false marketing and false representation of a state significant project and as such should be addressed with a name more representative of what it actually is.
4. the original document signed by Mike Baird when he was premier clearly stated that in finding a solution to traffic congestion along military rd and this corridor that public transport options NOT be considered. This is a blatant abuse of the investigative process and thus excluded from the start, any real objective research into the best solution for the traffic congestion problems identified. thus, the basis of the project is biased and non-scientific and illogical from the start. therefore, the project needs to stop until a full investigation into public transport options, especially rail from dee why-chatswood can be evaluated and compared to the proposed $15,000,000,000 stretch of road /tunnel that is the .beaches link. also, there has been some mention that Mike Baird was prompted to exclude public transport option from this project plan because large transport companies like Transurban were major political party donors and also may have struck a deal to provide mike board with a post political job within the transport industry, therefore, the project begun with a false and seemingly biased , even corrupt selection process that excluded any consideration of public transport - especially trains in its analysis of best solution to traffic congestion.
5. at $15,000,000,000 this project is unjustifiably expensive for the 16 km stretch of road/ tunnel that is outlines and thus must be analysed further wrt to cost-benefit. however, since the travel data contained within the EIS is out of date by up to 5 years, this is not possible, and thus such expenditure can not be justified.
6. this project is unethical as it uses public money to make a private Toll road and as such is not for the benefit of the wider community. The tolls will be too expensive for most and this will encourage rat-racing and more traffic on local roads. thus the road/tunnel will never achieve its aim of reducing traffic.
7. due to the phenomenon of 'traffic demand' , whereby in the absence of viable public transport options, such a project will only increase car travel and thus any short term reduction in traffic congestion along military rd and similarly congested roads will soon be reversed. thus, this project is ill conceived, short sighted, un ethical and nonsensical.
8. this project actually encourages car travel and further tolling in sydney. major cities around the world have all shown the negative effects of car congestion in their cbds yet this project aims to increase car travel into sydney's cbd. this is irresponsible planning and not in sydney's long term interests.
9. the non-filtered emission stacks will spew forth the products from the 15 km tunnel over the suburbs of cammeray and nearly north sydney where there is a high concentration of preschool, primary and secondary schools. this is unacceptable since the increased car and diesel truck exhaust fumes contain several extremely toxic substances including tiny particles that are hazardous for human respiratory and circulatory health. this effect is heightened in the bodies of young children, thus it is unacceptable that the tunnel emission stacks be not-filtered and located in such close proximity to schools.
10. the primary dig site at flat rock gully is unsuitable as it will entail digging through layers of decades old dump site contaminated substances. the land will contain asbestos, toxic gases and other unknown items that were legally allowed to be dumped there last century. digging at this site will also release noxious fumes and contribute to unacceptable levels of air, noise and traffic pollution. the numbers of truck movement along flat rock drive is dangerous for other drivers on the road. flat rock gully is home to several protected and endangered species including small bird populations, rock wallaby, powerful owl, lizards and many more creature catalogued by willoughby wildlife group WEPA.
plus the risk of contaminating nearby and downstream flat rock gully native wildlife corridor is unacceptable, plus further downstream contamination risk of Tunks park waters is unacceptable.
11. the proposed coffer dam to go in water off northbridge is unacceptable, as is the dredging in that area to make way for the semi-submerged tunnel. the dredging will alter silt tidal patterns and damage the seagrasses and delicate marine ecosystems located in these waters. the waters have only recently returned to a high state of cleanliness as evidenced by recent sightings of seals and even a whale a few years back. dredging these water will disturb decades old layers of harbour sludge containing toxic sediments. the toxic fallout from digging in these waterways will result in closing down valuable public amenities such as northbridge baths, and northbridge sailing club. any risk of contamination to these waterways is unacceptable and thus the tunnel must not proceed through this route.
12. the government has recently declared am 'open space' initiative/policy in which it seeks to protect precious open green spaces. this project is not in alignment with this policy as this project will result in bulldozing at flat rock gully to make way for dig site and truck turning circle, plus destruction of various golf courses eg cammeray and balgowlah.
13. the advertising material and marketing brochures for this tunnel clearly depict a bus travelling through it. however, i was told by an engineer at a northbridge information session at our local golf club that the tunnel would be too steep to allow buses to travel in it. therefore, the promotional material for the tunnel has been misleading and as such, has not been providing accurate information for community consultation. this is highly inappropriate for a state significant project, its false and misleading information and as such, the project should be halted until such time that the EIS traffic data is current, covid-relevant and accurate with respect to whether or not buses will be able to travel in it.
14. the plans for the tunnel are less than 50 % complete at this time, therefore the EIS can not provide a comprehensive impact study, therefore the EIS must be re-done and submitted for further consultation

I have objected on the following grounds:
- I am completely against this project because of environmental impacts it will have on my local community.
- The pollution it will create in the harbour as a result of dredging releasing contaminants will have an effect on not only marine life but popular children friendly harbour beaches e.g. Clontarf. In addition, 428,000 litres of waste water pumped into Queenscliff each day which is a popular area for swimming by locals.
- Destruction of habitat - there have been 23 species detailed as under threat in the EIS but there will be many more. This is tragic to the ecosystems and natural wildlife in our neighbourhood.
- Burnt Bridge Creek will probably dry up due to a potential 96% reduction in water flow. This will further impact local wildlife.
- As a resident close to the wakehurst parkway construction site, I am very concerned about the construction noise, vibration and increase in works traffic impacting me at home. I will be subjected to this for the next 7 years!!!
- The use of unfiltered stacks on the health of my local community. In particular as these are in such close proximity to schools e.g. North Balgowlah Public School where my children attend, Seaforth public school and several childrens daycares. Gladys herself objected to the use of unfiltered stacks in the Lane Cove Tunnel, calling the filtration of stacks "Ethically right in the interests of health". Yet, she has changed her mind on the northern beaches where they are in close proximity to public schools and daycares.
- Since covid more and more people have had to work from home. Despite easing of restrictions, many people have been supported to continue to work part of their hours at home. With less commuter traffic on the roads can the financial and environmental justifications of this project be justified - I would say not.

Gladys Berejiklian stated that pollution ventilation shafts would have additional filtering particularly where they would impact school, parks and children. For the health and safety of the population living, attending school and working nearby, all these ventilation shafts require filtering and then constant monitoring for any dangerous pollutant levels particularly during highest use periods. The filtering and pollutant monitoring results must be made transparent and available to the whole of the affected community.

I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Upgrade – SSI_8862

I have lived in Seaforth for 48 years and expected to continue to do so. Since I heard of the projected Beaches Link tunnel I have attended multiple information sessions, provided by the RMS and community groups before the pandemic. Since then I have attended all sessions via zoom.

In addition I have attempted to read and digest as much of the E.I.S released at the end of December 2020 as I was able. It was an outrageous affront to release that report at Christmas time in the midst of a pandemic and indeed as it happened a lock down on the Northern beaches, knowing perfectly well ordinary members of the public would not have the time or knowledge to read and digest it by March 1st.
It was thanks to local community members giving their time and expertise to provide a synopsis that I read as much as I did.

I have not seen or heard anything in the last 3 years that convinced me this project is necessary nor suitable for the Northern Beaches.

I therefore object to this project on the following grounds;

Above all the disruption, noise, pollution and destruction of the local area.

Noise from constant tunnelling under people's homes. There is no plan explanation of what will be used for noise mitigation.
And removal of the so called spoil.

Wakehurst parkway to be widened, involving trucks going in and out of the working area 24/7 travelling through residential areas,near schools, potentially putting children at risk. As there is no explanation in the EIS to say which directions spoil trucks will go I don't think proper consideration has been given to this aspect at all.
I live near Frenchs Forest Rd which contains a primary school and an aged care development,a narrow winding street that would be dangerous for all road uses if spoil trucks will be travelling constantly.

Balgowlah golf course is to be all but destroyed and turned into another works area. That is directly opposite Balgowlah boys high school, current enrolment around 900. If this project were to go ahead that means some children will spend their entire secondary school life in the middle of a construction zone.

Workers parking in local streets. I live in Seaforth, an old suburb with narrow streets and little parking. What are locals expected to do if construction workers are occupying all street parking? The EIS mentions Pickworth St as a parking area for them. The noise you now hear is locals laughing. Pickworth is always full. This points up how little consideration has really been given to how local residents would be impacted by the project.

There would be a huge impact on fauna at Burnt Bridge Creek and Manly Dam and on the Wakehurst Parkway.

Toxic sludge disturbance in Middle Harbour is already a problem. And just last week a report in the Sydney Morning Herald reported on the extent of same at Berry's Bay. Not enough research has gone into dealing with this issue.

The State Govt is proposing to spend upwards of 15 BILLION on a tunnel that will take at least 7 years to build. Causing noise, pollution and disruption to people's lives and health, putting children and the elderly at risk from heavy trucks passing through residential areas,near schools. And in the end, it would achieve very little. According to traffic experts from UTS the time saving bypassing Military Rd would be minimal.

If this project were to go ahead, it would be an appalling waste of public money.

The last year has proved many workers can work effectively from home and want to continue doing so. If there was ever a demand for a road tunnel it no longer exists.

What is needed is better public transport not a road tunnel.

I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Upgrade – SSI_8862

Child safety and protection

Let's talk about the next generation. Are they not precious to us? The proposed tunnel will see kids having to walk and cycle on busy Sydney road instead of safely on the cycle path for a period of 8 years. This would be bad enough, but the project will actively add 100s of trucks a day to the roads these kids will now be forced to use. I can imagine you wonder why these kids are not taking the bus. I will tell you, government policy is such that after yr 3, the distance kids are expected to walk/cycle increases making them ineligible for school subsidised Opal cards. I live on Dudley Road and last year my son was denied an opal card because he was deemed close enough to Manly West Primary school to walk or ride his bike. But previous years he was eligible. And his younger brother was eligible. When I contested the decision I was told he was old enough to walk this distance and the government had deemed it safe because of the pathway by Burnt Bridge creek deviation. Ironically, the school won't let him ride his bike for several more years. So what a lose lose situation for parents and kids.
I watch so many kids ride up my street to go to Balgowlah Boys for school. They are independent and happy. This will disappear with the tunnel construction. Not only will the pathway disappear, but the noise and dust pollution will be so bad that parents won't want to have their kids outside riding to school. And let us remember this is not a few months, but years! If construction started tomorrow, it would mean my son's entire school career from this day forward would not include riding or walking to school. 8 years. A whole childhood gone and lost. We all only get one. Please do not take this from our children. Even if they walked another route, wore masks, or risked biking on the road, the risk to injury and loss of life due to increase in truck traffic is high.

Drive you child to school you say? oh right, I forgot that the proposed tunnel is trying to increase road usage as opposed to reduce it. Funny how this is contrary to state and federal policy and commitments.

It isn't a hard decision to make. The EIS outlines the impact to the community. From my reading of the document, the negative impact significantly outweighs the proposed positive outcomes. You do not need to be good in maths to realise this means the numbers do not add up. You asked for our feedback and opinions. You said that if the impact was too high, then the project would be adjusted or not proceed. No amount of adjustments will bring the negative impact down to a level that will make the project ultimately positive in nature. Therefore, the project should be scrapped. Spend the money elsewhere to benefit society. This tunnel is not needed nor wanted. I strongly object to its construction.

To Whom It May Concern,
I wish to lodge my objections to the beaches link tunnel in its current form based on the following points ; -

1. No Benefit to traffic flow for the Beaches
• The EIS shows very little benefit in the form of improved traffic flow on the southern end of the beaches. (App F- Part 1) In fact traffic will be worse in most areas over the long term with an increase in traffic flow to the area. The only impact appears to be bringing more traffic to the area rather than improving it.
• The Wakehurst parkway would need a significant upgrade to handle the volume of traffic predicted. IT is already unable to cope with what is there.
• The recent upgrade of the Parkway / Warringah road has done little to fix the already congested Parkway. There is still queuing some mornings as the traffic has to go somewhere. The same issue with exist with the tunnel under this model, however encouraging more heavy transport onto the road.
2. Development of adequate public transport
• Recent changes by reducing buses to parts of the Northern beaches has had a significant impact on traffic.
• There seems to have be no real consideration in alternate means to address the traffic and a missed opportunity.
i. There does not seem to be any reviews taken to developing public transport systems to address traffic.
ii. The B line improved traffic – however there is inadequate parking adding to frustration and under utilisation
3. Traffic Flow alterations
• The area between the Wakehurst Parkway and Balgowlah golf course is going to be significantly impacted in every aspect with no long term gain.
• Traffic impact during construction and ongoing for people avoiding the tunnel - minimal consideration has been given to addressing “rat-runs” in already congested streets and the impact on local residents. With the changes to bus routes this has already added safety concerns to the area. Judith st and Lister Ave/ Baringa Ave are already been used as a cut through due to the increased traffic flow to the area this year. Cars speed though here as a short cut. There are daily near misses and a serious accident waiting to happen. Both go past primary schools. None of this has been addressed adequately.
4. Environmental concerns - Pollution concerns exist on many levels and the overviews appear to misrepresent that facts behind them when looked at in detail.
• Impact on Burnt Bridge Creek – This is a critical part of the local ecco system. The reductions in waterflow stated will kill this area. It is a highly used public space that it being destroyed with no consideration given to the local or environmental impacts. The flow on effect to other surrounding natural areas has not been adequately considered.
• The water flow during construction to Queenscliff will have significant local impact with no consideration on addressing the consequences.
• The Airstack data does not add up- wind direction vary to suit the story from one stack to the other. This is misleading and confusing. It does not appear adequate assessment has been done in this area. The height of the stack in real terms ie. Taking into account topography misrepresents how and where the pollution will flow. This impacts Schools and highly used recreational facilities.
• Serious concerns over pollution with the WestConnex tunnel already exist which have yet been adequately measured or considered in developing this proposal. Pollution assessments need to be redone based on the knowledge now available. These need to be actual at correct topographical heights and not theoretical dat. Eg a Stock at 6-7 stories high however at the level of a school as 2 stories high due to land flow needs to be considered at its true height.
• No filters is a serious concern and not considered best practise in international equivalents. Theis needs to be readdressed.
• Risks to Middle harbour waterways during the construction have not been addressed. What are the contingency plans?
5. Construction impact
• The report does not adequately address the ongoing noise level. A large number of people now work from home – this will have significant impact to them
• No consideration has been given to the local schools, childcare, shops, sporting facilities on noise levels access and traffic impact with many sitting in highly impacted areas.
• Vibration has been shown to impact areas far greater than those provided in the data on the other tunnel sites. This information appears to be outdated.
• There is no benefit to those impacted by this construction period of several years.
I am only touching on a number of concerns. The documentation is highly complex and clearly not designed for the average person to be able to easily follow and provide a review of the impact it will have on them. Summaries designed to provide a simple overview appear to misrepresent the data when you dig down on the appendices and mislead what is behind the data.

I object to the construction of this tunnel with the concerns of,
Loss of green space. The construction of the stacks will be a hazed to my exsisting poor lung health. The significant noise and decrease in air quality during construction will strongly contribute to the amenity and loss of value on my property. The negative impact on the community far out ways the positive of this development.

1st March 2021

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a resident (of 15 years) of North Balgowlah and I write to voice my concerns around the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel and its impacts on our school, the wider community, and the local environment. Separate to the many environmental concerns, I question if the tunnel is still appropriate in a post COVID world, and work with you to achieve an outcome beneficial for not only my family, but future generations who reside in the area.
Whatever the outcome of this letter, and the other objections you are no doubt receiving, I seek for my family and my neighbours assurances that at any stage during the project the impacts to our school, community and environment are negligible.
1) Tunnel Justification Concern: Reviewing the tunnel justification (and concern around this enormous and expensive project) - 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. I 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". In addition, the tunnel is not able to accommodate buses.
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.
2) 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.

3) 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.

4) 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 – future generations should have assurances that they too can 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.

Now, there is a shared sense of community and a great respect and appreciation for our local surrounds. We should live sustainably and leave the world a better place for future generations. The Beaches Tunnel is not the answer.

Yours sincerely

Kristen Gallacher

There will be considerable traffic implications for the Northbridge area as a result of the increased traffic movements on already congested roads. There are limited alternative routes and during construction this will force traffic on to Strathallen Road which is the main exit from most of Northbridge, making traffic flow along Strathallen and up Miller St extremely congested.

The dredging required for the tunneling around Clive Park and through Sailor's Bay means that existing facilities such as Northbridge baths and Clive Park bathing area will be unable to be used for an extended period of time and may potentially be permanently affected.

Increased traffic congestion in Cammeray, particularly around Cammeray Public School due to changes in traffic flow from Amherst St will create considerable danger for school children in and around the school area. At school drop off and pick up times there is already considerable congestion with long tail backs exiting the precinct behind Miller street.

Unfiltered stacks at Ernest Street close to many schools creates unnecessary and avoidable health risks for local children.

I object to this project for the reasons stated in the attachment.

Dear Tfnsw,
Thank you for allowing feedback. I am writing to object to the beaches link tunnel following the release for the EIS.
Due to the following impacts during construction and the end product of the tunnel on local areas :
1. Pollution in our local waterways in middle harbour, manly dam & creeks
2. The local fauna impact in Balgowlah/Seaforth from loss of habitat during the construction phase & beyond
3. Pollution from the traffic emission stacks. This will impact local children at schools and local residents. The least that could be provided is some sort of filtering system.
4. Lack or reduced public transport. There should be more options and services for residents to not relay on cars. Ferry service would be much needed in middle harbour. The area is already at capacity/chocked with cars especially on weekends and public holidays. Public transport has to be the priority.
5. I recommend closing off Heaton avenue to traffic to minimise the impact of traffic on manly road.

My objection to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway construction relates to two principal points: 1. threats to biodiversity that would result from this project as currently proposed 2. the need to complete the Phase 2 contamination assessment.

1. Biodiversity: I am particularly concerned about the threats to biodiversity represented by this project. This project would pose a direct threat to over 20 species and lead to incremental loss of local birds, frogs, reptiles and mammals, through damage to and loss of their habitats. As broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough warns us all in his latest (and probably last) book "the living world is a unique and spectacular marvel", but "the way we humans live our lives has sent it into decline". However, he offers us hope that "if we act now, we can yet put it right". This warning was meant for ALL of us , especially in first world wealthy countries like Australia, so plead with us to choose less damaging, even if more financially costly options. This is such an opportunity.

2. Contamination: The Flat Rock Creek Gully has been returned to relative environmental health after decades of community care and restoration that in turn followed decades of abuse as a tip. For this public consultation process to have any credibility, the Phase 2 contamination assessment MUST be completed and the EIS re-issued to seek further community response.

I am making an objection to this project. Attached are the reasons for my objection. S Sheldon.

OBJECTION:Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

I wish to strongly object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection.
Cammeray will be destroyed by this project. Local residents will not get any benefits from this project, but will bear the brunt of a large number of negative impacts. Cammeray Golf Club will be ruined - our local green space used by kids and families will be a major construction site for many years. I will be living 100 metres away from this nightmare, with the accompanying noise and dust and trucks, for not only the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway works, but also for an extended period for the Beaches tunnel. My son, who is asthmatic, will be studying for his HSC under these conditions, with work going on all night on the Warringah Freeway. I felt sorry for the inner west residents who went through the Westconnex - The Beaches Tunnel is Cammeray’s Westconnex nightmare.
The EIS shows that local traffic will be massively impacted. Traffic congestion is forecast at major intersections near my house, including Amherst/Miller Streets and Amherst/ West Streets, as vehicles exit the tunnels and enter our local streets. Unfiltered stacks right next to a school and close to my home. This is supposedly designed under world best practice, and yet the TWO stacks next to my house and local schools will not be filtered. No consideration was given to public transport options. This is such a backward thinking plan.
Please rethink this project and come up with alternative public transport options. I will put up with the noise and disruption in my suburb for the construction of a world class public transport system to benefit all, but I do not accept YET ANOTHER TOLL ROAD that will just benefit a private company and a few wealthy car drivers.

I am a local resident of Seaforth and have two children that attend Seaforth Public School.
The health of my children is of considerable importance and I am of the opinion that the tunnel will impact on their health.

Earlier plans for the tunnel – shared with the school community – indicated that the tunnel entrance would be further from the school. Now the Environmental Impact Statement indicates that the tunnel entrance, including 12 lanes of traffic, ventilation smoke stack and related construction works, with impacts for air quality, noise and vibration, will be directly parallel with the school.
This contradicts indications given to the school community after engaging constructively in the community consultation process.
There is a lack of clarity on which route spoil trucks will take, though there is clarity about their massive volume – as frequently as one every 1-2 minutes at peak construction. This could be disruptive for learning at Seaforth Public and other nearby schools, such as NBSC Balgowlah Boys.
Most importantly, while modeling indicates air quality may improve slightly for the school area, that is based on expected traffic patterns. Actual traffic patterns will depend on many factors, such as whether good public transport options are created through well-designed and well-used express bus services through the tunnel, which have yet to be determined. The planned privatisation of NSW bus services adds more uncertainty for this factor.
International studies have shown the dangers to health, particularly in children, of being near many open lanes of traffic. This includes increases in asthma and impacts on child brain development. This project would increase traffic lanes from 6 to 12 near the school, including a traffic light, and add a nearby smoke stack.
We should not take risks when it comes to child health and safety. This was the position expressed by Planning Minister Rob Stokes, when he was Education Minister, stating: “I won’t be party to putting stacks near kids … There is no way in hell that I’d support any development­ that would put the lives of pupils, teachers and parents at risk”.
We ask Minister Stokes and the NSW Government to live up to that commitment.
Earlier plans, noted in the Environment Impact Statement, make clear that alternative arrangements are possible that position the tunnel entrance further North up Burnt Bridge Deviation. Those plans would ensure that all traffic is within the tunnel before it reaches the school, and hopefully place the smoke stack further away, helping to ensure air quality safety no matter what the eventual traffic patterns.
I ask that all decision-makers ensure the Beaches Link Tunnel entrance and construction works are moved further from Seaforth Public School and other nearby schools, to help ensure child and community safety.

Please think of the children that will be directly impacted by this.

Seaforth resident

I support the submission made by the Northbridge Progress Association.
Thank you.

• SUSTAINABILITY
1. Will not achieve its stated goal of addressing long−term traffic congestion in the Northern Beaches in fact it will increase congestion particularly at the weekends bringing in up to 40,000 extra cars a day to fill the already over-crowded parking options in the beach suburbs. Building more roads encourages continued car use no ?
2. Will destroy local flora and fauna and change the ….. all the way to Manly lagoon;
3. Will pollute our harbour with toxic sediment putting Middle Harbour marine life including some protected marine species at risk;
4. Will have an adverse impact on greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change re encouraging the dependency on private motor vehicles - bus routes and provision have been altered on the Northern Beaches recently without public consultation and caused chaos for children returning to school in January.

• HEALTH AND POLLUTION :
1. Does not mandate the filtration of exhaust stacks, at a risk to public health including children at local schools, day care centres, and local families. There are many schools and families situated within 500 metres of the suggested unfiltered exhaust stack location; - The exhaust stacks at all tunnel portals across the entire proposed Beaches Link network MUST be filtered, if they cannot be filtered the tunnel should not be built. It is well documented re the effects of living near pollution stakes and busy main roads with heavy traffic flows .
2. Pollution extends to the Noise pollution that will be created during the construction phases, the dust pollution from trucks and movement of debris from the building site and traffic it will generate .
3. Undeniable reduced quality of life for many residents during the construction phase and after, noise, dust, ambient light, noise from playing fields, rats runs during, increase of traffic on the Northern end of Wanganella Street and parallel streets when in operation; outlook onto stack and car parks. Lack of sleep, mental health etc. Post completion the proposal is to reconfigure the current natural looking landscape full of trees and flora and fauna, used by many local residents into a collection of car parks, playing fields and amenity buildings. Noise from shouting and whistles associated with many sports will negatively impact some residents. The proposed configuration will introduce ambient light and direct light at night to a number of residents who do not have any such affects currently. This will affect them 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.
4. Proximity of pollution stacks to educational facilities - noise and health concerns .

TRAFFIC :
• Both during construction and when in operation the increased traffic on Wanganella Street will result in local residents not being able to exit from cross streets runs in Wanganella, won’t be able to get out of Westlake and Brighton and Paris Streets,
Local streets seeing an increase in traffic due to diversions - rat runs created.