Inland Rail - Albury to Illabo

I understand the need for the project to help reduce freight on our deteriorating road network, however the impact on local residents in Wagga will be more telling than 'modelling' suggests. I need to cross the Docker Street intersection everyday and there already is significant delays and build up of traffic. I don't believe that you can effectively split the city in two for periods of time. I live near the intersection and my major concern is for emergency services being delayed responding to emergencies in the city and surrounding regions. As a major centre with the major hospital for the region it is of huge importance that access to this facility is not hindered for lengthy periods. The crossing points of the line and length of trains will severely impact response times. The daily regular inconvenience to all residents is not appropriate for a major centre servicing such a large region and trying to improve its liveability status. I am also concerned about noise levels for schools and businesses along the main corridor and property returns for those residential properties in the heavily impacted area.

I am very against any expansion of rail through the city of Wagga Wagga. Wagga is the largest inland city in NSW and is continuing to grow. To split it down the middle by expanding rail activity to include trains in excess of 1km long going through every hour just doesn't make sense. Just the very changes to the existing infrastructure to achieve this should be ringing enough warning bells. For instance the effect on the local schools such as South Wagga Public and Kildare/Mt Erin while this work is being carried out will be very disruptive. Once the work is completed then there will be a much increased noise levels along the corridor. Add to that is our large hospital precinct which will also be impacted by the increased noise levels that will be casued by these large trains going past every hour or so. The rail crossings already impact emergency services such as SES, Ambulance and RFS to a lesser extent as they then have to re-route their trips across the city to attend emergencies. It is very plain that with the increase in length and size those response times will blow out even more. Surely it will make more sense in the long term to find an alternative route around the city and it must occur now and not in 40 or 50 years time. Surely too, things like the viaduct and the incline to Bomen should all be viewed as more reason to look seriously at bypassing the city. Please reconsider your stated view that there will be no bypass of the city.

Getting from my home in Turvey Park to the CBD of Wagga is bad enough now at morning peak hour. It can take 20+ minutes to get from the traffic lights at WW High school, through the Sturt Highway, and into Wagga's CBD. I have had to work through 4 - 5 traffic light changes to make it. When going down to the CBD from Kooringal, via Lake Albert Road, in the afternoons when schools are over for the day, cars are often banked up from Railway Street up to Copeland Street. The short distance from Railway Street to the Sturt Highway traffic lights is also grid-locked. Once caught in this mess, the only escape route is to give up going down town, cut through the service station on the corner of the Railway Street intersection, and try an alternative route down Edmondson Street, Bourke Street or, if really desperate, cross the Sturt Highway at the Pearson Street roundabout.

If this project goes ahead, Railway Street (which is not that wide) will become far, far busier and it has a bridge where the students from the 2 high schools and South Wagga Primary cross the railway line.

To whom it may concern,
I am not against the project going ahead, just cant see why any costing has been done on an alternate route around the city.To continue with the planning as it is you will be affectifley cutting the city in half,with the hospital on one side of railway line & fire station & ambulance on the other. Not to mention the disruption to traffic while all the work is carried out.Docker street & nearby streets are hectic enough during busy times without having the rail crossings closed more often.We are situated near the line in Docker Street so would be impacted by noise & vibration from these bigger & longer trains. I find it unethical if you dont consider the residents thoughts about this project.Government officials need to spend some time down here to see exactley where the rail line is instead of sitting in their offices. Thankyou

Hi, I have many concerns regarding the Inland Rail project as I live in Junee, NSW and as you may know the Inland Rail project is going to run directly through our town. We are currently in the process of trying to develop more affordable housing in Junee and unfortunately our block falls very close to a decommissioned railing (North Fork Line) in which ARTC are discussing re-opening by 2024; as a result we have had to comply with numerous acoustic & noise assessments put forward to us but the local Council despite them not knowing where the line is being commissioned, when it is being commissioned & the details of the use. Junee Council has explained to us in writing that 'it would be extremely expensive, if not impossible to comply with such measurements'. My concern is that if our brand new properties built specifically to comply with the noise and vibration requirements are not going to be good enough for the future inland rail project than what is going to happen to the existing properties around town that are within close proximity of the rail corridors. Not to mention my parents live over 500m away from the train with sound barriers & cover from direct noise and their windows still rattling every time a freight train passes through - the impact that the double stacked inland rail trains will have on our town will inevitably cause extensive & long term damage to homes which will in turn drive down the value of properties in our small yet booming town.
A pre-existing metal fabrication company in the centre of town was asked to move their workshop to a more 'industrial area' because of construction noise early in the morning yet somehow Junee Council find it justifiable for ARTC to place extremely loud trains directly in the centre of our town - the trains that operate now are bad enough.
It seems as though there has been no consideration into residents right to quiet enjoyment & ARTC are doing nothing to meet in the middle with people who have concerns.

Bypass Wagga Wagga now before you wreck our city:

The proposed Inland Rail Project particularly from the Wagga suburb of Lloyd West to the south to North Wagga in the east slices directly through the township of and CBD of Wagga Wagga.

This proposal is not fit for purpose as the disturbances, noise, vibration, pollution of mega freight trains, that will be unleashed upon our roads users, residents , businesses and two schools that sit right upon the current rail line has not been thought out.

It is my option that is proposal takes the cheap way out using existing infrastructure instead of by passing the centre of Wagga Wagga which would show respect to citizens and city. One train has the potential to halt traffic at 2 intersections at the same time due the length of the freight trains, one intersection being of high priority that services our major Hospital.

There plans to raise the height of the Edmonton street bridge and demolish “the mothers” footbridge which is part of Wagga’s early history. Raising the Edmonton Street bridge will throw our city in to chaos especially road users.

Edmonton Street is a major thoroughfare to access, the Wagga TAFE, Wagga High School, Mount Erin High School and South Wagga Public School. Of concern is that positioned right on the bridge work site will be South Wagga Public School and Mount Erin High school the impact upon our youngest citizens would be significant .

I live no where near the railway line and the noise that filters out from the current railway line reaches our suburb we hear the noise and echo’s that come from trains coming up the Uranquinty rise to the Kapooka underpass and the trains sounding their warning horns at the Ashmont Railway crossing at Fernleigh Road. I can only imagine increase in volume of the noise will be for our citizens who work and live not only along the tracks but within Wagga itself.

Do not ram this project directly through the centre of Wagga Wagga. What you spend now on a bypass now you will reap the rewards into the future.

BYPASS WAGGA WAGGA IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR THIS PROJECT

Do not just flip the bird at our Wonderful City.

I think this project itself is fine but going through the centre of Wagga is a big mistake. I'm sure the cost of rerouting this around the city would be very similar to lifting all the bridges. Wagga is a big city now and this would be a huge traffic problem. we allready have a lot of heavy vehicles moving through the centre of Wagga and we definately don't need any more disruptions to the traffic flow. Please leave our beautiful city as it is and come and investigate the disruption you would cause instead deciding these changes from your desks!

The proposed routing of the inland rail through the heart of Wagga Wagga city is totally unacceptable and investigation of a by-pass to the west of the city to link with the Bomen Logistics and freight hub must be undertaken.

My objections to routing the line through the city are based on:
* the massive traffic disruptions which will be caused by road closures and detours which will occur over the 12 months of construction work required to upgrade the line.
* the noise, dust and adverse effects generated by the construction works which will severely impact the community.
* the ongoing and frequent (hourly?) disruptions to traffic when the inland rail is fully functional - this will be a major problem for emergency services as well as the community.
* the severe impacts on the community and liveability of the city resulting from the noise, vibration, pollution and safety risks caused by large trains travelling very quickly through a densely populated area.

The fact that no consideration has been given to an alternative route, or the substantial and ongoing impacts on the city and its citizens, shows very poor planning and implementation of this very important project. There has been very poor consultation with affected residents and businesses despite claims that it has occurred. Details of the environmental and social impacts of the routing through the city have only now just been made public despite years of requests for such information and for engagement in the planning process.

Thankyou for the opportunity to comment.

This is my second attempt! For some reason my earlier attempt froze. I am hoping that it is still 'in the system' and will be read by you. To continue: the upheaval all these works will cause to the people travelling to and from the southern suburbs to the northern suburbs over the Sturt Highway will become unbearable. Waiting for trains to go through the Bourke Street crossing is excessive and if the new trains are longer and more frequent the delays will be worse. Furthermore, the ambulance station is south of the railway line and the hospital is to its north. In the case of a real emergency, getting people to A & E is going to be delayed. The same applies to the police (based in the northern CBD) and the fire brigade based in Fernleigh Road, well south of the line.

The Fernleigh Road railway crossing can be another very busy peak-hour hold up.

Wagga's population is approximately 64 000. We are regularly told that it will grow to 100 000 in the future. Imagine the chaos and frustration with hourly, and very long trains passing through to Bomen. What happens if there's a disrailment in the CBD and one of these long trains has blocked one of the major crossing sites?

I feel for the people who live either side of the railway line. Imagine the noise, vibrations and reduced value and desirability of their homes when it's time to downsize. Who would want to live near a railway crossing where the warning bells are going off for 5 - 10 minutes every hour, 24 hours a day.

Please do not go ahead with this. Re-think the whole project and plan properly for a well designed and sited alternative route around Wagga.

This project needs a real re-think. A properly thought-out, properly costed, alternative route around Wagga is what is needed. This is a MAJOR and LONG-TERM engineering project and needs to be done with real skill and care for the city's functioning. Thank you for your attention to this submission.

Good afternoon
Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on this EIS.
As a first time contributor to such a Project, I hope my submissions is of some use and you can clarify some of the concerns raised.
Many thanks,
Sophia

Wagga Wagga City Council has undertaken a critical review of the IR A2I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), as prepared by the project proponent the Australian Rail Track Corporation Limited (ARTC), to ensure the best interests of the community of Wagga Wagga are represented. Through this review process, a number of issues and gaps have been identified are documented for submission.

Please see attachment

As attached

Introduction
This EIS does not address the main issue which is the increased noise, vibration and exposure to particulate diesel exhaust fumes associated with the long term OPERATION of Inland Rail, with reference to the predicted increased rail traffic and the heavier loads of this traffic.
As a community representative of the Inland Rail Community Consultive Committee, I sought the inclusion of noise mitigation measures into the engineered design of this so-called “track enhancement.” Suggested noise mitigation measures to be considered included double glazing, acoustic barriers or track pads. My input was quickly put down when it was pointed out that the EPA Guidelines permitted noise levels of up to 85 dB.

Noise
The EPA Guidelines that permit noise of up to 85 dB do not meet community expectations. Noise restrictions for residents’ operation of lawnmowers etc, late night parties motor vehicles and NEW rail tracks are much lower and are more strictly enforced. This obvious discrepancy undermines the public’s confidence in the operation of the EPA and EPA ‘s values, and will be the subject of ongoing complaint to the community’s Members of Parliament.

Particulate Diesel
There is a passing loop for trains located adjacent to Railway St. residences east of the Wagga Wagga railway station and the Murrumbidgee river viaduct which is a single track. Freight trains frequently park here with their engines idling for logged times exceeding 100 minutes. Especially when there is little wind, diesel exhaust fumes can be strongly smelt within nearby residences. Particulate diesel fumes have been linked with increased risk of cancer which is why bodies such as the Grattan Institute have recently called for the banning of diesel trucks, more than 20 years old, from Sydney and Melbourne. Once again EPA’s acceptance of this heightened risk undermines public confidence in the EPA.

Outcomes
It is clear that NSW Planning will use the current NSW EPA Guidelines to rubber stamp the design of the Federal Government’s ARTC/Inland Rail plans for the route through Wagga Wagga.

Having failed to have sensible engineering solutions incorporated into the design, community members will lobby to have administrative solutions imposed on the licenses of the rail operators. These may include:
a. Speed limiting restrictions given that slower trains are quieter and emit less vibration.
b. Limitations on the use of passing loops within the urban area of Wagga Wagga.

Please refer to attached Cover Letter, Submission and attachment.

THE HENTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE SUPPORT THE INLAND RAIL PROJECT HOWEVER BELIEVE THAT FURTHER CONSULTATION IS REQUIRED

Inland Rail

Mr Christopher Mooney
37 Athiol St
Wagga Wagga
NSW 2650

28th September 2022

Subject: Inland Rail freight backbone from Melbourne to Brisbane

I am opposed to the proposed Inland Rail corridor passing through the centre of Wagga Wagga. I will outline my opposition with the following reasons.

• The double deck trains will be twice the weight, which will create extra noise because of this weight of the train. The engines pulling these double deck trains will also be louder due to the extra weight they have to move. When there are 3 to 4 engines the roar can be excessive. Living near a level crossing the sounding of engines horn can be extremely loud during the night, especially in the early hours.
It is very distressing being woken during the night by freight trains that pass through at present. The Inland Rail will be louder and more disturbing.

• Emergency services use Bourke Street crossing as a major direct route either to the emergency or to the hospital. A delay at the crossing at Bourke street crossing could be life or death situation for the patient being transferred to the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital. This will also delay the Fire Brigade getting to their destination in as short as time as possible, this will be highlighted during construction of the Best Street crossing putting stress on emergency services, especially if a train is using Bourke Street crossing. The trains will be 1.8kms long with the possibility of trains increasing to 3.6kms long.
With the longer trains the wait at any crossing will be twice as long.

• Local traffic will be delay when the trains are 3.6kms long. Extra trains will also be disruptive to local traffic. The rail corridor through Wagga Wagga hasn’t been designed for a major freight backbone from Melbourne to Brisbane. It is passing through a residential area and it will affect local traffic and the residents of Wagga Wagga.

• When I Purchased my Athol Street property in 1988, on my behalf my solicitor enquired if double rail tracks would be added to Sydney Melbourne rail link. The only possible proposal was the construction of an underpass at the Bourke Street crossing. Now we have an Inland Rail proposal with little consolation with the public that live along the corridor. The whole demographics of this residential area along the corridor will be changed for ever.

• With double deck trains being introduced for the present, then with the possibility of a change of the number of trains and their length changing in 2040 3.6km will only create further problems along the corridor. Extra noise and longer waits at the 2 major crossings within the city of Wagga Wagga. The future has not been thought about.

• Land values along the proposed corridor in residential areas will depreciate by at least 30%. Will ARTC compensate the residents who will be affected. Older residents will be relying on the sale of their family home for their age care, which is not cheap anymore.

• With the double deck containers this extra weight will only create further vibrations along the corridor affecting residential dwellings, which were built in an era that didn’t allowed for such vibrations.
Excessive vibrations will create cracks and movement. The foundations of the older properties were not designed to tolerate such vibrations. The integrity of this these buildings will be compromised

For the betterment of Wagga Wagga line corridor the Inland Rail should bypass the city of Wagga Wagga

Yours Sincerely


Chris Mooney

Please see attached file

The Albury to Illabo Railway upgrade will increase rail traffic through Wagga Wagga. There are currently two rail crossings on major roads that connect the southern suburbs of Wagga Wagga to the central business district. Traffic at these crossings will be substantially delayed by increased rail traffic. Residents living close to the railway line will be badly impacted by the increased noise and vibration of large trains moving past. In addition there is a plan to raise the rail overpass on Edmondson Street by two metres. Raising this bridge will badly impact traffic flows during the construction process and result in an unsafe road carriageway connecting Edmondson Street and Best Streets once complete. It is my belief that the only sensible course of action is to create a rail bypass around Wagga Wagga. This has been done in Wodonga to great effect.

The cost and disruption caused by this project is enormous. However my main objection relates to the impact the final product will have on the community of Wagga. I live near the railway and have an investment property in Erin Street. The noise implications are significant, along with the times people will need to wait at crossings. I walk most places and often cross Mothers bridge near the Wagga railway station so my concerns relating to the delays are not personal concerns. I am worried about the delays there will be for emergency vehicles trying to get from one side of the city (Glenfield, Tolland, Bourkelands etc) to the other. The proposed height and length of the trains huge and it is ridiculous to have these travelling through the middle of our city. The railway should be diverted and by-pass Wagga. This way the railway can be built to have 2 lines which will surely be more efficient and effective in the long run allowing for trains to travel in both directions and pass each other rather than waiting for the line to be free. In addition, the idea of actually having smaller trains will create more long term ongoing jobs as there will be a requirement for more train drivers and other staff. The estimated time of construction will be pushed out and the impacts to our community will be ongoing. I am worried about the effect of the noise and vibrations on the place I and my family live, along with the impact to my other property.
I am a firm environmentalist and want to see infrastructure to reduce trucks on the roads, however not at the cost of our wellbeing. Think really big picture and long term please and alter this project.
I absolutely do not support this project and want to see the plans changed to by-pass Wagga entirely.