MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

It appears that the latest changes increase the space and capacity for motor vehicles, while worsening the access for people walking and cycling.

It looks like cars can move safely and directly on the roads in each direction, whereas this is not the case for active travel modes.

Increasing road capacity will induce more cars and trucks, and more congestion. This is a poor outcome, especially so close to the city centre. The economy, environment and society will suffer.

I therefore oppose the modification.

My concerns include:

• 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 Johnson Street. 

• Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as the only option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop.

• Removal of direct active travel 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.

• The concrete plaza / bridge looks barren and uninviting.

• The various flyovers seriously impact urban amenity. Building big grey concrete road bridges to accommodate traffic flow near the CBD is even worse than Los Angeles, and they are now seeing the error of their ways.

• I see very little effort to retain the value of ‘place’ in the area. Annandale and Bicentennial/Federal Park are very much people places, and this proposal cuts a very large wedge between them.

As a resident of Annandale I strongly the proposed modification to the M4-M5 Link (Mod2) and in particular the proposed overpass for the Crescent, the greenway and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.

My house is within 60 metres of the westconnex tunnel and one of the supposed benefits of having to live with this was the parklands at the Rozelle rail yards and the green link to the foreshore. We have just lost one part in Annandale due to westconnex and this proposed modification – which seems to have been slipped in with minimal community engagement - will further denigrate the area.
As well as the loss of the greenlink, I am particularly concerned about the scale of the proposed overpass on the Crescent, the fact that the green open space will now link to tram stop and not directly to the foreshore, the increased traffic that will be pushed through Annandale because of changes to the Johnston St intersection, and separation from the forsehore. As a someone who walks and rides to work to the city I see this as a backward step and one which places car traffic above all else.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
• The proposed changes to the Crescent and particularly the use of an overpass that will divide the Annandale and Rozelle from the foreshore and the main open spaces. This is the type of development that is completely out of scale for a residential area.
• Removal of the Greenlink. Losing the Park near the light rail stop was supposed to be compensated for by the Greenlink but this proposal seeks to get rid of that as well. This makes a mockery of the previous consultation.
• The changes to the Johnston St intersection, and the increased traffic fed north on to Johnston St. Westconnex is said to remove traffic from residential streets, but this will have the opposite effect making streets off Johnston street a rat run. Removing the right turn facility at Johnston St means access to Glebe will be via circuitous residential backroads
• The lack of planning for additional traffic that will be created in Annandale.
• The additional noise that will be created by the overpass
• The changed access to the foreshore from Johnston St. Pedestrians will have to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at the Crescent to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop. The foreshore and Bicentennial Park is heavily used by families and young kids. Annandale is suburb where a lot of people walk. Westconnex is supposed to reduce the impact of traffic but this is doing the opposite. The RMS should be encouraging pedestrians not turning suburbs into places where only cars belong.

My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
• Remove the proposed overpass.
• Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park
• Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
• Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
• Please listen to the people who live here rather than paying us lipservice. Consultation should not be a token phase in a project like this seems to be.

Director, Transport Assessments Planning Services
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39 Sydney, NSW 2001
Application: SSI 7485
17.9.19
Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,
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 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.
I 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. Work with the community 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 Johnson 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 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.
Alongside these issues my other concerns include:
• Children at Annandale North Public school, who regularly use Bicentennial and Jubilee Parks for sporting events and recreational activities, now have to cross 5 sets of lights to access these areas - it is extremely unsafe for a whole school of children to walk down to the park with the new proposal.
• Children living in Annandale who attend Sydney Secondary College Balmain are considered too close for free Goverment Opal card to catch the bus to school, and with the new proposal, will be forced to walk or cycle above and across multiple lanes of traffic being exposed to horrendous amounts of air pollution everyday they attend school. The relocation of the Green Link and replacing access to the other side of the city west link with a concrete walkway makes travelling to school much longer than neccessary, unpleasant to walk or ride along, not safe and a danger to their health.

My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
• Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
• Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist 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 it’s potential future development.
• Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force us onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
• Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport – including the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf.
• Moving the roads back underground as initially planned so as to preserve the vista of the city and Sydney Harbour - the first view of both of these as people enter the city from the west.

Yours Sincerely,

Name: Melitza Liu
Address: 32 The Crescent, Annandale NSW 2038
Email: [email protected]

Thank you for the opportunity to submit. I just wanted to clarify that I don't object to the wider project but I object to the proposed modification.
Kind regards

Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,

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 am an Annandale homeowner and have invested in the area due to its being a safe environment to raise a family and its close proximity to Sydney’s beautiful harbour foreshore. I was supportive of the pedestrian infrastructure, and especially the GreenLink, included in the approved design for the Rozelle interchange. Needless to say, I am extremely disappointed with the proposed modifications and appalled that so many fundamentally important conditions of the original approval have been utterly disregarded.

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. I want you to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with the community 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 Johnson 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 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.

My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
● Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
● Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist 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 it’s potential future development.
● Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force us onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
● Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport – including the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf.

I look forward to a constructive, considerate and open-minded response from your Department, which will bring NSW into the 21st century with its approach to urban planning, and which can help to unlock the enormous untapped potential of Sydney Bays Precinct.

Yours Sincerely,

Tim Cronin

43 Pritchard St
Annandale NSW 2038
0424 432 487
[email protected]

The WEstconnex promised an unobtrusive underground tunnel allowing traffic from The Crescent to cross the City West link without stoppint at traffic lights. Also promised safe pedestrian and cycle path to cross from Rozelle goods yards to Glebe foreshore via a "green link". Promised that the right turn from Johnston St to The Crescent would be maintained, and it hasnt. Also promised shared user pathways and connection to the Bay and the foreshore.

Now we have a massive overpass rather than a tunnel. WE have relocation of the green link and no connection of Lilyfield to the foreshore. The Addition of a 5M high footbridge to connect the goods yards and the Glebe foreshore. No direct route for pedestrians or cyclists to access the foreshore which is COMPLETELY unnacceptable. You have put a bloody highway between the bay and all the residents to connect to the water which is stupid. Finally there is no longer a right turn between Johnston ST and the Crescent which will drive traffic into annandale with massive rat running occuring to get to an are that was easily accesible. Its even worse when you consider the apartments going up at the Tramsheds and otehr locations.

These modifications COMPLETELY ignore the conditions of consent (how is this even possible) given for this project and threatens to impose unacceptable negative consequences on the landscape and liveability of my local area.

The proposed overpass is totally out of step with local development in Annandale and will obstruct a local heritage mural and destroy Buruwan Park. Sufficient consideration hasn’t been given to obvious alternatives such as an underground tunnel running under Whites Creek.

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.

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.

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.

For all of these reasons I STRONGLY object to these modifications and require RMS to revert to the conditions of consent given for the project in the first place.

I object to this - there is a fundamental lack of respect and integrity in calling this a "MODIFICATION". And I would question the legalities of it. These changes CANNOT - under any circumstances - be considered modifications. This is a completely different plan to the one that was proposed. This plan clearly treats all Annandale/Lilyfield/Rozelle residents with a fundamental lack of respect. To add an 8 METRE HIGH overpass, and eliminate the Greenlink - and class these as modifications makes a mockery of any approval process. This reeks of government mis-management, and I will be very happy to contribute to any legal proceedings that are being discussed/mooted to challenge this "Modification". There are confirmed alternatives that would NOT impact on our amenity - the need for an 8 metre overpass is because RMS and the Governement were unable to properly cost out the original plan. Bad financial management, and lack of detailed documentation on your part, does not constitute a valid reason to affect our amenity in such a way. We will not back down on this fight.

Comments on the submission are attached including:

I want to lodge my objection to the modified plan for the M4-5 Rozelle overpass. Please see the letter I have attached.

Director, Transport Assessments Planning Services Department of Planning, Industry and Environment GPO Box 39
Sydney, NSW 2001
Application: SSI 7485
Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,
I am a resident of Annandale, NSW. My family and I are concerned about the proposed changes to the Greenlink plan. 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.
We love this area. Please don’t let it become a featureless, dangerous, concrete spaghetti junction.
My family and neighbours feel that we are about to be trapped in a small triangle of land locked by major road arteries. We are already affected by the increase of traffic interrupting our use of our suburb since the opening of the M4 tunnel at Haberfield, with long queues of traffic on roads that previously flowed freely. We can no longer cross CityWestLink to or from Annandale or Leichhardt without significant delays at any point between Catherine Street and Darley Rd. We are afraid that RMS will allow the next phase of the Westconnex at Rozelle to turn the area into an enormous spaghetti junction and that would be a terrible mistake for NSW.
We want better planning for the next phase, and desperately want RMS to maintain our local links between Annandale and Rozelle. It would be wonderful if you can manage the expansion of the road traffic without destroying the links we have between our communities and locations. For example, we love to take our dog to Jubilee Park at Annandale, but fear that this will be further restricted if the Johnston St/ Crescent overpass goes ahead. We often walk, cycle or drive between these suburbs, and this area is vibrant and beautiful. We use the shops and parks, meet friends and take part in community events in this area. Please look after it.
In addition, I fully endorse the Rozelle and Annandale Foreshore Community letter.
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.
I 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. Work with the community 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 Johnson 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.
My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
● Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial
Park
● Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist 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 the future Metro West and
Foreshore Ferry Wharf
● Maintain access from Johnston St direct to Jubilee Park; maintain the right hand turn from Johnston
St to the Crescent
● Maintain the link and bike route between Rozelle Light Rail and the Glebe foreshore
● Protect the mural and its open aspect.
Find another way to manage the traffic between the Crescent and City Westlink without compromising the Greenlink!
Yours Sincerely,
Name: Amber and Jonathan Niesche Address: 227 Young St Annandale 2038 Email: [email protected]

This modification does NOT HONOUR PROMISES MADE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS, but it destroys the connection between the suburb of Annandale and the foreshore and builds a mesh of roads like the current Cahill Expressway that is an eyesore at Circular Quay and the subject of derision by international design and urban planners.You are doing it again, failing to imagine that a line on a page becomes a huge concrete and steel monstrosity zooming with cars and ruining the place of abode of others. All the tunnels and overpasses are not going to solve a traffic problem but encourage the car over other means of transportation. It is hard enough to push a pram or a wheelchair up from the park but the current modifications make access to the foreshore extremely difficult. DO you care?

I am concerned that pedestrians, cyclists, walkers, including the elderly have been totally ignored and disenfranchised by your total homage to the motor vehicle.
The direct access green link is gone, replaced by a laughable, lengthy, steep, circuitous and hideous concrete foot bridge. Enclosed in a cage most likely.
The need to cross 4 or 5 sets of traffic light for pedestrians to get from the western side of Johnston St to the foreshore. This will most probably take at least 30 minutes.
There is no direct link to the foreshore at the western end of Rozelle Bay.
There is no right hand turn into The Crescent from Johnston St.
There is now a monstrous concrete 'flyover' from The Crescent, 8 metres high, that is totally out of proportion and intrusive into the Rozelle Bay precinct.
Surely you can come up with something better than all these second rate, after the facts proposals. You promise one thing and build something else.
This is just not acceptable. Two or three weeks of pathetic community 'consultation' is just rubbish. A token attempt to soothe your conscience is not good enough.
These changes are poorly thought out, on the fly, totally second rate and unacceptable.
Put away the concrete and design something fit for purpose that will benefit our community, not your budget bottom line.

This will affect our ability to (safely and pleasantly) access Bicentennial Park and the Glebe foreshore. It’s not safe for people (including our kids) or attractive - yet it was an opportunity to finally link all these cycle paths and walking paths together and create something special.
There will be significantly reduced safety and increased risk with removed pedestrian and cyclists access above The Crescent to Bicentennial Park.
Unsafe and indirect access across five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent to reach the foreshore/railyards. The part Greenlink and concrete plaza at Rozelle Bay light rail still require you to cross at the five sets of lights on The Crescent.
Removal of direct active links to the foreshore (including the new skatepark and kids playground), cutting our communities off from the foreshore and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct.
The proposed modification has no updated Urban Design and Landscape Plan (or peer review ). The original EIS had both. The modification considerably changes the design intent of the approved EIS design.
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 but pushing them back on to Council.

We have lived at 327 Annandale Street for over 40 years. One of great joys has been totally easy accessibility to our local park and foreshores with our children and other families with walking, prams, scooters and bicycles. The prospect of having to access the park and playgrounds in this area by crossing a number of streets with now, our grandchild, is inconceivable. This is a really significant safety issue and the first child child to die will be on the heads of these planners. The promise was for more accessible open space for this growing community. Also, this plan is removing good access to bus stops and the metro station. We have watched over these years the gradual creation of really wonderful green space and access to the foreshore ... now potentially gone forever. Please preserve the initial approved design for the green link and transport link which is essential for safety and the environment .

RMS should be working 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. With young children, I am particularly concerned about safe access to the foreshore from Annandale, particularly the number of sets of traffic lights we will need to cross from Johnston St to the water, essentially cutting Annandale off from this open green space.

The proposal will require pedestrians to cross four different pedestrian crossings as opposed to the current one. This is putting pedestrians who wish to access the parks and bus stop or vice versa at more risk than the current arrangement. This will likely lead to pedestrians to jaywalking across The Crescent in the location of the existing pedestrian crossing and putting themselves in danger. Pedestrians should be provided with access to parks and bus stops by the path of least resistance.
The modification proposes to remove a key north south link across The Crescent and doesn't consider the local residents and their needs in the proposal.
Please consider keeping the existing pedestrian access across The Crescent.

The proposed modification to the original submission removes north / south pedestrian access to the Glebe Foreshore Parks, the citybound bus stop from Rozelle Bay light rail stop and the residential area around Annandale Street.
Access to green space and active transport links from the north side of The Crescent to the south side of The Crescent should be maintained as a minimum as part of the proposal, however, I believe these proposals should be improving active transport links in the vicinity of the changes not removing them.
The proposed modification would force pedestrians to use an additional three pedestrian crossings to walk between the corner of Johnston Street and The Crescent to the corner of Chapman Road and The Crescent. Please reconsider the removal of the existing pedestrian crossing at The Crescent.

I am concerned that the new cycle path will be more difficult to use and involve more traffic light stops than the old route.
It is also a commuter route for cyclists and this will not encourage people to ride more.

Please find my comments for this project modification in the attached document, Submission The Crescent Overpass Mod 2.

The RMS proposal for an overpass at this junction is unacceptable, out-dated and working against the integration of the neighbourhood with current and future foreshore parks, and future public transportation links such as the planned ferry terminal.

RMS should be working with the community rather than against it. As such I strongly request to reinstatement 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. With young children, I am particularly concerned about safe access to the foreshore from Annandale, particularly the number of sets of traffic lights we will need to cross from Johnston St to the water, essentially cutting Annandale off from this open green space.