MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

The attached letter outlines the details of my objection.

To whom it may concern

Unfortunately, this appears to be an amendment designed to save the developer time and money. They have very lazily replaced the Green Link with a concrete link from the light rail over the City West Link.

Since it’s a smaller plan, it doesn’t link green to green. It doesn’t link the foreshore with the Rozelle Rail Yards site. It's an unfair transfer of effort to make pedestrians work up and over ugly concrete structures rather than walk easily from one part of the site to the other, only to save costs for the developer.

My understanding is that it directly contravenes the explicit conditions of consent for the project and will also remove the Green Link between the Bicentennial Park and the New Park at the Rozelle Rail Yards which was intended to open up the whole foreshore — Glebe, Lilyfield, Rozelle, Annandale.

The proposed amendment is directly to the short term benefit of the developer and will have lasting consequences for the ease of use of the foreshore space for residents and visitors.

Yours sincerely

Jane Oldham

I object to the changes to the previously approved design. Please see attached.

I object to the fact hat the original plan has not been followed and the modification has withdrawn the Greenlink .Instead an ugly car overand cyclistpass is to replace Greenlink.The changes proposed will
1.impede safety for both pedestrians and cyclists from Annandale to the foreshore
2.take away direct access from Rozelle and Lilyfield via Greenlink
3.take away easy access to Johnston Street
4.withdraw design principles approved in the Urban Design and Land Plan
5.safety compromised at the Crescent and Johnston Street having to negotiate 4 lanes of traffic
6.access to Glebe Foreshore made difficult for cyclist
I submit that the original plan offers good people amenities with the use of Greenlink and should be kept.

I object to The Crescent overpass on the basis of further destroying the area, lack of amenity with regard to city views from the Rozelle Bay Lightrail Station, vastly reduced pedestrian walkways and cyclists providing easy access to the Rozelle Bay foreshore, and visual mpact of the overpass. These are in addition to the extra pollution caused by the greater number of speeding vehicles using the overpass, with very little if any provision for use of WestConnex roads and tunnels by public transport vehicles such as buses.
There has already been far too much destruction of hundreds of trees in the area over the last few weeks - along CityWest Link, Lilyfield Road, Rozelle Goodsyards next to the Anzac Bridge westside and now the former White Bay Hotel site. Your WestConnex webpage describes this area as part of the "almost completely underground" Rozelle Interchange area which is "Currently in design phase". There appears to be no rationale therefore for the hurried and vast destruction of trees in these areas. Someone needs to take responsibility for this oversight and inform the public on how the greenery will be restored to partially compensate for the loss of valuable trees.

The modification has a significant negative impact on the visual amenity of the area and does not promote the connection of communities with pedestrian and cyclist paths. The urban design needs to be cognisant with the goals of the Rozelle Interchange EIS and the Bays Precinct development project. Refer to the attached submission.

We believe the modifications ignore the conditions of consent given for this project and remove many of the favourable urban design features of the original proposal. We object to the proposed changes for the following reasons.

They remove the ability to turn right from Johnston St onto The Crescent resulting in Tramshed traffic being redirected via Annadale and Forest Lodge, thus increasing the volume of traffic through our neighbourhood.

They result in an increase in the number of lanes coming from the Rozelle Interchange onto The Crescent, towards Forest Lodge. The lanes all merge around the intersection of Johnston Street and The Crescent increasing congestion on The Crescent/Ross St, which at peak times is already a car park.

They combine and convolute the pedestrian pathway and cycleway, which were supposed to connect to the foreshore pathways, and place these beside a motorway overpass. This modification prioritises the needs of motorists over those of local pedestrians and cyclists. Indeed people crossing from the Western side of Johnston Street would have to use four pedestrian crossings in order to reach Bicentennial Park and relocating the pedestrian bridge creates an unnecessarily long walk and climb for pedestrians.

They create a monstrous overpass, which was supposed to be a hidden “underpass”, with the resulting negative visual impact. The proposed overpass is out of step with local development and will impose hugely on the local landscape.

They result in the destruction and loss of over 70 trees, including the large, mature fig trees at Buruwan Park. Removing vegetation impacts on the liveability of our suburb, as it removes shade and destroys the green barrier between the City West Link and homes. Even with replanting it would take decades to return tree cover to this site.

They fail to solve the traffic congestion problem in this area and, in fact, would worsen the problem.

Director, Transport Assessments Planning services
Department of planning , industry and environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney NSW 2001
Re application : SSI 7485

Dear Director Transports Assessments Planning services,

I write regarding the proposed modification to the 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|Cycling links. I am seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access form the approved EIS greenlink to create a continuous green open space from the Rozelle rail yard and Annandale to the foreshore. The greenlink is not just a walk way. It maximizes safety, and provides much needed open space for the community, now and future.

I request RMS put people back in the picture - you need to reinstate your own vision as laid out in the NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with us to design a feasible option that brings the best elements form the approved EIS design into the modification.

My key concerns with this modification are:

*Significant reduction of safety for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over the Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnston Street.
*Being required to cross 5 sets of lights at the Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale and Rozelle (no idea how school groups could ever safely do this).
*Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off form the area and the proposed revitalization 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 implemented before a finalized Masterplan for the area (note the landscape has been stripped of mature trees before the new plan has been approved).
*Traffic changes that increase movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

Add additional points here.
* poor consultation with the community with only 3 weeks to respond to this entirely new design.
* this new design isn't in anyway what was approved by the EIS so it shouldn't be approved.
* removes existing access along the western side of the crescent from Buruwan park to Johnston st.
* greenlink is marked as pedestrian path not a shared urban path.


My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
*Reinstate the Green link 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 maximize people safety and do no 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.
*Enforce the existing EIS which has no flyover and if that isn't done scrap the original EIS as this is a completely new design and enforce a new one to be done for the project.
*Immediately cease the destruction of the trees till an approved plan is in place.

Yours Sincerely,
David Gardiner
160 Young Street
Annandale NSW 2038
[email protected]

The flyover and nexus of overpasses proposed will wall-off the inner west from the harbor at this densely populated, inner corner of Rozelle Bay. This Mod 2 places a dangerous amount of traffic running above ground in a high pedestrian area. The original plan had safe, direct cycling & pedestrian access from Annandale to the foreshore above the intersection. Please preserve this. Please maintain the original shared user pathways as part of the Bays Precinct Master Plan. And please retain the connectivity between the light rail, cycle ways and ferry wharf at the same corner of Rozelle Bay as originally planned and approved by the Local Community.

Please see attached submission

As an Annandale resident who walks, cycles and drives locally, this proposal makes no sense for our garden suburb.

Through traffic is becoming heavier but trying to solve it with a concrete overpass will destroy the local feeling of community and change the suburb into a noisy, smelly, polluting place to live. We deserve better from our town planners.

What we have and love is easy and green access to parks, playgrounds, playing fields, the Tramsheds and most particularly Blackwattle and Rozelle Bays. The environment is relaxed and brings a feeling of calm. Wildlife thrives despite its proximity to the city. Viewing the News Years Eve fireworks from Bayview Crescent is a community night enjoyed by many. These are the reasons we choose to live here and it is a special privilege that should not be taken away on a whim.

This access will be spoiled by the proposed LA-style spaghetti junction modifications - who wants to climb a staircase and cross a busy road - which takes you on a significant detour from the current access? As a retired person, my ability to climb stairs will diminish as I get older. Families with prams will find it hard too. And what about the families with children on bicycles?

And in fact, to call it a "modification" is an insult - it is a brand new plan with no regard for the impact - just the hip pocket nerve.

I have never been an activist and have felt that inner city living requires some compromises, but this is too much - cities are for people not for infrastructure.

A resident of Annandale for almost 30 years, my family uses the parks and foreshore around Rozelle Bay almost every day, for dog walking/swimming, picnics, children’s sport, birthday parties and other functions, visits to the playground, accessing cycleways and the light rail, exercising and relaxation. We are extremely concerned about the adverse impact the proposed modifications will have on the amenity and quality of life of residents who rely on easy access to this area.

This project should be changed to put people back as a priority.

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 is important because it puts people central to the design and maximises pedestrian stafey. It provies much needed accessible open space for the community. I am requesting you to reinstate the vision laid out in Transport for NSW Future Stratey 2056 and to work with community to design an option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
1. The significanlty 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.
2. Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option ot reach the foreshore from Annandale or Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
3. Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and te proposed revialisation of the entire Bays Precinct, incluidng linking the light rail and bus stops to a ferry wharf and metro station.
4. Urban and landscapre desgin that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
5. 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 askin RMS and the Project Team to:
1. Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities to the green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park
2. relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
3. Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways
4. Integrate active and direct connections to all public transport including the future metro and foreshore ferry.

I am a working professional with two small children that attend the local primary school, Forest Lodge Public. We love our area. It's very much like a village. I supported the WestConnex project when it was underground. But now the modifications make the overpass above ground. This will be bad for our streets near the Tramsheds. On your website it says"Most of WestConnex will be in underground motorway tunnels, to minimise the need for land acquisition and remove traffic from local streets.." why did you change it for our suburb? Please don't put an overpass at the bottom of our street. It's really close to schools and pre-schools and Parks. Keep it under ground as you first opened it to us. Thank you

I am totally opposed to the government’s new plan to expand their WestConnex tollway by building a huge overpass at Annandale. This is a major concern for our community who were not consulted about the new elevated overpass, which was not in the original plan, to allow motorists to bypass traffic lights at the intersection of The Crescent and City West Link. Originally it was to be an underpass but is now to be an unsightly 2 lane overpass eight metres above the City West Link. I am concerned that this will not solve traffic congestion in any way . It will make it more difficult for pedestrians to access Jubilee Park from Johnston St Annandale and the Rozelle Goods Yards in Lilyfield. It will be the destruction of over 70 trees including the large, mature fig trees at Buruwan Park; and will have an unnecessary and unsightly visual impact generally. Liveable cities need to have ample greenspace, public access to foreshores and world-class public transport and this Rozelle Interchange modification without any consultation fulfills none of these criteria and will be a blight on the area.
•Fail to solve Sydney's traffic congestion problem.

The modification to the approved design of the M4-M5 link MOD 2 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 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. 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.
This modification also 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 abandons 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. A design 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 is crucial for local living experiences.
These modification appear another example of WestConnex lack of consideration for locals living within minutes of this development and lack of care of the impact of removing non-motorist design considerations to locals.

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 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 its 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.

Yours Sincerely,
Nicola Hassan

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.

As a resident, 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. With two children under 10, any issues that compromise pedestrian safetly are a major concern.
● 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 responseto 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 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

Yours Sincerely,
Thu Hien Dinh

To Whom it May Concern,

The proposed amendment to The Crescent Overpass works at Rozelle Bay are unacceptable - both from a long-term visual impact/quality of life perspective and immediate environmental impact.Such a significant change from the originally proposed and accepted plan also has no foundation in respect to residents, commuters or pedestrians. This change appears to be motivated by the commercial interests of third-party operators who will reap immediate benefit whilst locals are left to manage the issues.

Fundamentally Sydney residents are being asked to be patient and understanding as major works are completed to improve the future of a city we love. However as passionate local citizens we are also charged with the responsibility & duty to ensure decisions we make today, and those we allow to be made for us, are the best long-term solutions.

A design adjustment that impacts so negatively on it's immediate surroundings and sets such a bad precedent for other works cannot be allowed to progress. Ultimately Sydney strives to be a leader for green cover and the inner west is increasingly impacted from the volume of development that limits this goal - we educate our youth on the importance of environmental factors, yet our actions to revise this plan would allow for unnecessary destruction of established green areas - that action speaks much louder than words and is not a message I wish to support.

The overall flow of the area by regular users (such as the local neighbourhood/residents) and those who increasingly visit the area and access the foreshore, plus pending park areas via light-rail, should not have to navigate around imposing and heavy-handed design that cuts corners today to create bottle-necks and obtrusive structures into the future.

The elevated overpass should not proceed - it has no place in the local community and offers no significant improvement to the design, local area or environment.

We have a duty of care to make sure tomorrow is better for everyone, that we stand by our convictions for better design, to minimise negative environmental impact and ensure the tough but just decisions are upheld. We should not bend to the interests of a few versus the voices of many and send a mixed message that we are accept being an after-thought especially given the patience we have all afforded today, to make sure things are done right the first time and every time thereafter.

Please find attached a submission objecting to the modification application.