MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

We object to the the proposal as it effectively cuts off safe and practical community access to critical parkland, removes/diminishes to un-useable a critical element of the original proposal being the Greenlink, impacts community safety and enjoyment of community infrastructure, negative visual impact to important public land. The proposed changes are not safe for young, elderly or mobility impacted persons of whom there are many in the area. The modification differs significantly in the negative to the original proposal and cannot show it has the support of community. The greater good is not improved by the proposal. The cost of the proposed modification is borne completely by the community against their will.

I write regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 Link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area. I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links.

I am seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more than just a walkway - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design. I am requesting RMS put people back into the plan – we want you to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with us to design a feasible option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
- The significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnston Street.
- Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
- Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
- Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
- Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

Furthermore, I have attached a document outlining additional concerns with this project and the severe impact they will have on the local community. I ask that you consider each of these points in detail and with fairness to the broader community which is going to be negatively impacted by the design modification of this project.

Attention: Director, Transport Assessments Planning Services
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment

Dear Director,
We are concerned that the proposed Los Angeles-style overpass will:
1. Have an unacceptable and unnecessary visual impact, and obstruct a significant local mural;
2. Make it more difficult for pedestrians to access Jubilee Park from Johnston St Annandale and the Rozelle Goods Yards in Lilyfield;
3. Destroy over 70 trees including the large, mature fig trees at Buruwan Park; and
4. Fail to solve Sydney's traffic congestion problem.
The current SSI 7485 plan completely ignores the conditions of consent given for this project and threatens to impose even more on the landscape and liveability of our local area.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Regards,
Sophia Kevans
Yota Krili
David Berridge
Residents of 33 Toxteth Rd, Glebe, 2037, NSW.

The RMS have released a modification to the approved design of the M4-M5 link MOD 2. This design impacts The Crescent in Annandale between Johnston St and the City West Link.
The modification removes many of the favourable urban design features of the original proposal replacing them with a massive overpass. I strongly object to this. If it goes ahead I will be voting against the coalition parties in the Upper and Lower Houses next election.

I am writing in regard to the proposed modification to M4-M5, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and the sudden changes to the previously approved pedestrian and cyclist access to the Glebe foreshow. I’m asking for the reinstatement of the safe direct access from the approved EIS Greenlink, which was to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. Furthermore, I’m asking that the pedestrian and cycle connections are relocated so that they are safe and direct. See attached.

My submission is to object to the loss of the promised green link between Annandale and Lilyfield/Rozelle. Please retain the original plan as promised, abolish the proposed overpass and take into consideration the quality of life for the people living in these communities.

This project is a needless addition to Sydney’s already congested roads. As per usual this proposal also dismissed the input of locals and recommendations by the relative bodies. Another disgusting tale and push to destroy our already struggling city. Shame.
I would recommend that you actually engage with the community to find possible solutions to traffic, and abandon the mistake that is WestConnex. Turn it into a train line, you can charge people money forever then?

I wish to table my objection and significant concerns about the modification to the M4M5 link. This unsightly overpass will ruin the neighbourhood and severely compromise all the design and planning work that has been done to date to try to create a community friendly piece of infrastructure and green space. Further we lose the promised Greenlink connecting the foreshore. This has all been done with complete disregard to the local community with virtually no community consultation. My specific concerns are outlined in the letter attached and I urge the government to reconsider. It's blind-sides like this that contribute to the significant loss of trust we have in our political leaders.

People first - we need direct and safe access to the foreshore

It is very important that the safe and easy* passage of pedestrians through the green corridor be protected, and they it takes a primary position against other considerations.

The lack of public consultation prior to the suggestion of the altered plan for the Crescent overpass has been a significant oversight. The original socialised plan should either be acted upon, or, a new, in-depth community consultation program should be enacted to ensure the local community’s perspective is clearly understood. And, that any future planning takes this perspective into strong account.

*to facilitate the enjoyment and usage of the corridor by those who may have limited mobility due to age or disability related considerations.

I strongly object to the proposed Rozelle Overpass Modification and am requesting RMS put people back into the plan - I want you to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. You need to work with us to design a feasible option that brings elements from the approved EIS design into the modification. My submission (attached) outlines my objections. I ask RMS and the Project Team to Reinstate the Green Link connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial park, relocate and redesign pedestrian and cycle connections that are continuous, safe and direct, design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs, the location of the foreshore and its potential future development, provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways, integrate active and direct connections to all active transport - including future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf.

I believe the plan will limit access to the foreshore and its facilities. I currently use the foreshore for fitness purposes as well as walking my dog as do a significant number of people. There will be significantly reduced safety and increased risk resulting in reduced pedestrian and cyclists access from the Crescent to Bicentennial Park.

There is currently too many sets of lights to cross from the Crescent to Rozelle Bay and this will become worse. Furthermore the proposed removal of direct green links to the foreshore will stop residents accessing the foreshore .

The proposed modification has no updated Urban Design and Landscape Plan and the timeline for review and submissions is outrageously short. It will have a negative impact on traffic in all surrounding suburbs and decrease the value of housing.

I ask that a reasonable time be given for feedback with more information supplied. The format of your webpage is not convenient for seeking information and registering for a submission is painfully slow. If I was cynical I would say the website and the submission process has been design to discourage participation.

This development will have lasting effects on our life and lifestyle and we deserve more consultation and input. The original plan was a much superior idea.

The RMS have released a modification to the approved design of the M4-M5 link MOD 2. This design impacts The Crescent in Annandale between Johnston St and the City West Link.
The modification removes many of the favourable urban design features of the original proposal replacing them with a massive overpass. I strongly object to this. If it goes ahead I will be voting against the coalition parties in the Upper and Lower Houses next election.

I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links. I am seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more than just a walk way - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design.

The modification, as I explain in the attached letter. has significant negative impacts on pedestrians and cyclists.

The proposed modification removes many of the favourable urban design features of the original proposal replacing them with a massive overpass.
Global experience of major toll road construction has demonstrated that projects like this increase air pollution, encourage more car use, fleece road users with exorbitant tolls and eventually fill the increased road capacity they create.
This modification ignores the conditions of consent given for this project and threatens to impose unacceptable negative consequences on the landscape and liveability of our local area.
The proposed overpass is out of step with local development in Annandale and will obstruct a local heritage mural and destroy Buruwan Park. Insufficient consideration has been given to alternatives such as an underground tunnel running under Whites Creek.
Visual impact and obstruction of ‘people’s mural’
A new elevated overpass is at odds with local development standards and will have a significant negative visual impact on Annandale and its surrounds.
The overpass will also obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent. That mural was commissioned by the Leichhardt Council in 1980 and inspired by political and social movements in the inner west. It is a dearly loved and historically important local artefact that should be protected.
This proposal could be replaced with a slot cut and cover trench running under Whites Creek to push traffic underground instead of overground and avoid the massive imposition of an overpass and destruction of the ‘people’s mural’.
This modification prioritises the needs of motorists, trashing the experience of local pedestrian traffic and making harder for residents to access the public waterfront.
Pedestrians walking from the Western side of Johnston Street will have to use an astonishing four pedestrian crossings in order to reach Bicentennial Park
This pedestrian arrangement should be modified to allow pedestrians to cross direct from Johnston Street to the Park via The Crescent.
Destruction of mature fig trees at Buruwan Park
This design proposes to rip up Buruwan Park and all the vegetation at that site including over 70 trees and several beautiful mature fig trees.
Removing this vegetation will impact on the liveability of our suburb by removing shade, making our local area warmer and destroying the green barrier it provides between the City West Link and residences. Even if these trees are replaced with saplings, it could take up to a decade for tree cover to return to this site.
Any modification to this proposal should make every possible effort to save these trees and vegetation. At a bare minimum, these trees should not be removed until a full Urban Design and Landscape Plan has been completed.
Relocation of the green link
This modification would abandon one of the centrepieces of the original design: a pedestrian and cycling green link to connect the Rozelle Goods Yard to Bicentennial Park.
Relocating that green link to the west of the intersection of The Crescent and City West Link ignores the original conditions of consent given for this project and puts the needs of motorists ahead of pedestrians and cyclists.
The proposed pedestrian bridge further north up the City West Link creates an unnecessarily long walk for pedestrians and an unnecessarily high climb of 5+ metres.
RMS and the contractors should reconsider other design options for a continuous green link from Rozelle Goods Yard, across the City West Link into Jubilee Park, including a link to Annandale and the Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
Increased local traffic in Annandale
This modification would remove the option to turn right out of Johnston Street into the Crescent which will increase traffic through local streets including Piper Street and Booth Street.
These changed conditions will mean increased noise and emissions for residents in Annandale.

Please see attached letter. This propsal is foolish, ugly and totally unecessary...

The proposed overpass will be a massive blight on the inner west, the City and the harbour foreshore. It is unconscionable and incomprehensible that in 2019 any planning agency worthy of its name would be proposing an overpass that cuts across pedestrian, cyclist and public transport access and creates a pool of vehicle pollution near heavily residential areas and schools. The disastrous planning decision to bring yet more traffic into the city has been compounded by the cynical reversal of the promises of 'more green space' that were meant to lull the public into acceptance of a decision that has never been sanctioned by major traffic experts and is the total opposite of any traffic projects being undertaken by major cities across the world.

Please see attachment.

Refer to the attachment