MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

As a resident of the area, I wish to register my objection to this proposal (application number SSI 7485).
Global experience of major toll road construction has demonstrated conclusively 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 completely 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 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. These points are elaborated below.
Firstly, this modification will impose hugely on the local landscape in the inner west. A new elevated overpass is completely 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’.
Secondly, 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 (see diagram below). This pedestrian arrangement should be modified to allow pedestrians to cross direct from Johnston Street to the Park via The Crescent.
Thirdly, 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.
Fourthly, 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.
Finally, 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.

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.
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.
Thanks
Samantha Thomson

I am writing to express my displeasure that the design for the "WestConnex M4-M5 Link MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links" has changed.

Removing the Grass areas and changing the location of the overpass from the original design is insulting to the local residents. The original design needs to be reverted to and the greenery assosciated with it also.

Creating a dead-zone of Concrete will cause the Urban Heat Island Effect to be much worse. This is especially short-sighted considering we are in a Climate emergency,

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. Please see attached for my full submission.
Regards,
Neil Pridmore

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 – 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 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.

Alongside these issues my other concerns include:

POOR CONSULTATION
This feels like a classic bait-and-switch, the kind of big-project behaviour that gives planning departments and their contractors a very bad name. The approved GreenLink built confidence that this project was headed broadly in the right direction; this last-minute change with effectively zero communication or consultation with the community appears under-handed in the extreme.

RETROGRADE AND HARMFUL
At a time when cities around the world are moving towards models that support and encourage active travel, and when the masterplan for the area is (or should be) being built around open greenspaces that encourage outdoor activity, this is a seriously retrograde step that we will be paying to undo in a few years. Not only does the proposed design make it significantly harder to access the existing greenspace around the foreshore, it actively makes it dangerous to get there. As we encourage each other and our children to walk and cycle more, the message this sends is that cars are actually still king when it comes to planning. Living in the inner west for over 15 years, we’re well used to dealing with traffic and understand it’s part of living so close to the city. However, continually placing cars at the core of transport planning seriously compromises community health over time.

Moreover, easy access to greenspaces is a critical element of what brings our community together. Houses and gardens in the inner west are tiny – we don’t send the kids to play in the yard, we send them to the park or walk or cycle there with them ourselves. It’s rare we’d spend time around the foreshore without running into friends from school or other neighbours. Compromising easy access to what is effectively a giant community meeting and play space also compromises this critical local amenity. At a time when social capital is at a premium, it’s fundamentally retrograde to implement urban design that undercuts it.

Sydney harbour is unique, and the inner west foreshore a particularly special mix of landscapes and activities. As our planning department, we’re relying on you to do everything possible to design infrastructure around this asset. The overpass doesn’t meet that standard and needs a fundamental redesign.

GOOD DESIGN BALANCES USER NEEDS – THIS DESIGN DOESN’T
It’s clear from the MOD2 reports that the balance here is wrong. It features table after table of optimisation for cars and a huge number of disadvantages for pedestrians, cyclists and the internationally recognised asset that is the Sydney Harbour.

A good design would optimise around unique and valuable assets like the harbour foreshore, and balance the needs of all stakeholders with special attention paid to those most at risk: pedestrians and cyclists.

HONOURING PROMISES MADE TO FUTURE GENERATIONS
The Approved Environmental Impact Statement at
https://majorprojects.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/prweb/PRRestService/mp/01/getContent?AttachRef=SSI-7485%2120190227T231413.342%20GMT p8 details several principles which have been completely abandoned by this modification:

● Connect and provide for communities The concept offers a parkland destination that works to stitch together previously separated communities by providing a range of social infrastructure at a central, easily accessible location. MOD 2 fails this principle
● Enhance green links The concept reactivates closed-off land through new green spaces and links. These links strategically establish a new green “interaction” connecting a series of significant yet fragmented [future and existing] green spaces in and around White Bay, Rozelle Bay, Rozelle, Balmain, Glebe and Annandale. MOD 2 removes direct access
● Respond to the local character Respecting and maintaining the unique heritage, industrial character and topography of the Rozelle Rail Yards through interpretation. A massive concrete overpass obstructing a historically significant local mural is fundamentally at odds with local character
● Revitalise streets for equality of mobility New public spaces and much-needed universally accessible links establish entirely new “public streets” and enhance the surrounding neighbourhood. Kids on scooters and bikes, elderly neighbours and others with reduced mobility will particularly find that MOD2 is not an enhancement


I request 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

As a local resident I am objecting to this project, specifically;
- The overpass has not factored in local needs as it will block cultural artwork and will be a visual blight on the area; blocking sight of the waterfront.
- The proposed road changes do not appear to address traffic conditions on the Crescent and Johnston Street causing additional build up for residents resulting in increased noise and pollution.
- There needs to be separate pedestrian and cycle paths to allow safe access for both foot traffic and bicycle users.
- Green corridor has not been maintained

There was a lack of information available for the community about the the Modification. With only 4 week period for submissions, many people did not hear about modification until 10 days ago. There were extreme difficulties in making an online submission, particularly around registration. It took me and may others an hour to register.
There are aspects of Modification that were linked with Western Harbour Tunnel concept. Most people had not seen. The indicative diagrams were impossible to interpret. Either too small to read or when expanded on computer defintion was lost. No scale inform distance.

The Glebe Greyhounds Junior AFL Club has its home ground at Jubilee Oval and club house on the eastern side of the canal at Bicentennial Park. The overpass will restrict access for the 550 players and their families who play at Glebe to either walk, cycle or drive to the ground for home games and training three nights a week during the season. The club has players aged from five to 17 across 38 teams who play at Jubilee Oval every week, plus training three nights a week during the season from March to August. During home games an equal number of visiting players plus their families attend the ground, doubling the number of people accessing the ground. This development will reduce already inadequate parking as well as access for players are their families to walk, cycle or drive to the ground from the catchment area of Annandale, Leichhardt, Stanmore, Camperdown and Petersham. The club is facing pressure to grow as it is with inadequate ground space and no published plans to increase sporting fields in the area. Currently we have capped numbers of players in age groups and turn some kids away, but still out numbers will increase. This development will restrict access to the field and club facilities.

As a resident of North Annandale and a regular user of the foreshore parklands for leisure and exercise I have concerns regarding the application to modify the planning proposal to exclude the green link to the foreshore from Annandale, Rozelle and Lilyfield.
The new design appears to exclude local, pedestrian and bike traffic from accessing relatively rare recreational land and essentially landlocking North Annandale.
It also significantly reduces the affected inner west suburbs from remaining connected to one another as part of an innerwest community.
It does not appear to reflect a shared user plan as first proposed with a focus on vehicular traffic and movements to the exclusion of all other users.
It appears to separate and consequently denigrate a beautiful natural resource, harbourside foreshore.
I am also concerned of the negative impact on accessibility to future Metro and Ferry public transport facilities.
I also have concerns with the removal of the right turn from Johnston St to The Crescent. This fosters connections with neighbouring suburbs such as Forest Lodge And Glebe and the facilities such as restaurants, cafes and grocery stores at the Tramsheds. Denying access at this junction will burden Booth Street, Wigram Rd and Minogue Crescent with increased traffic as the alternate more indirect access route.

Please reconsider the design and reduce the negative impacts on neighbouring suburbs, pedestrian and bike users.

With thanks
Susan Thomson

To whom it may concern,

I would like to register my objection to the planned Crescent overpass. This modification totally disregards the promised & approved Urban Design & Landscape Plan for the EIS approved Greenlink. I live across the road from Easton Park which is used extensively every day by the community, and am saddened that green space is being taken away from children, parents, dog owners, cyclists, joggers, and other members of the community who would use this Greenlink every day.

As a health professional and member of the community this is important because community is of the utmost importance in a world where isolation and mental health is on the rise. We need more connection and healthy activity, and less concrete, division, pollution and traffic noise.

The community doesn't thrive when we add in busy intersections or steep concrete bridges by way of an ugly space-dividing overpass. We all want a continuous Greenlink for a safe pedestrian & cyclist friendly green space that connects us to each other, the foreshore, (in time) the Bays Precinct, light rail; Metro West & ferry wharf. The goal should be to revitalise and expand the community's ability to connect with each other via a safe, green and direct access to what the area has to offer us.

I request you explore alternative design options (underground if possible) and not remove the promised Greenlink for the pedestrians, cyclists and all members of this close-knit inner west community. We don't want to be divided or disconnected via concrete plazas and caged walkways.

Your sincerely
Michelle Mravunac
mobile: 0416 124 275