MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

Too much over development and traffic issues from project

Change the overpass to a short tunnel

 I oppose the proposal to build an overpass at The Crescent in Annandale. The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short (less than 120m) tunnel
under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green bridge
in a location to best connect the parklands together. This underpass needs to be designed to also facilitate the single pedestrian crossing at Johnston Street.
 The overpass solution is not my preferred outcome but if it is adopted, the bulk and scale must be reduced. One way to do this would be to reduce the allowed speed
limit to reduce the curve of the proposal. Lowering the height of the overpass should also be considered.

Maximise pedestrian connectivity including:
 Simplification of the Johnston Street crossing of the Crescent to a single traffic light crossing in the current location on the Northern side of Johnston Street as
currently exists.
 Ensuring provision of easy at grade access from Railway parade to the Glebe Foreshore with a direct connection to the simplified Johnston Street/The Crescent
intersection.
 Provide for the direct grade separated connection between The Glebe Foreshore and the new Rozelle parklands via the green bridge. Retain and protect trees adjacent the light rail station as per the EIS consideration.

The road design needs be altered to provide protection of mature vegetation including Sydney blue gums, and Moreton bay figs. These will provide some immediate pedestrian and visual amenity given that most of Buruwan Park will be removed.

Reinstate the right hand turn lane at the Crescent from Johnston Street. This will limit traffic through local Annandale streets to Glebe and key local destinations
such as The Tramsheds.

Protect the people’s mural - Careful consideration is needed to protect this much loved local artwork.

Refer to the outline of issues for more detail and a discussion of impacts, options and reasons.

Outline of Issues

Review of the new overpass - The above ground road overpass is what has primarily changed from the original EIS design, with multiple flow on effects. It has led to the relocation of the green link, the addition of a new pedestrian bridge, and associated visual impacts and destroys pedestrian connectivity. All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus on improved vehicle movements (level of service).

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 themassive imposition of an overpass and obscuring of the ‘people’s mural’. The Modification report in table 4.1 identified that alternate options, including The Crescent underpass – option 2. This option provided the greatest urban design outcomes and is the preferred community solution. This option needs to be carefully re-evaluated with the following criteria.

The intention should be to maximise the open slot trench to ensure the underpass section itself is no longer than 120m, so that it does not need to be mechanically
ventilated. This will greatly reduce cost and complexity. This might include the ramp from the centre lane, which may require the relocation of the bus stop location. The
gradients of the down ramps should be considered so that the ramp allows the existing pedestrian crossing at Johnston Street to remain.

Concerns about constructability should be reviewed to investigate alternative construction options – e.g. pre-cast or other technology and temporary traffic
diversions through the goods yard site.

Existing and proposed Indicative view from Rozelle Bay light rail stop showing how the overpass will block views.

Improvements to pedestrian connectivity. - This modification prioritises the needs of motorists, trashing the experience of local pedestrian traffic andmaking harderforresidents to access the public waterfront. In line with the urban design principles in the EIS, pedestrian connectivity needs to be greatly improved. This unequivocally demonstrates the incredible bias against pedestrians by the RMS and worship of private motor vehicles by this agency.

Pedestrian access to Bicentennial Park and Jubilee Park at Johnston Street - Pedestrians walking from the Western side of Johnston Street will have to use an astonishingf our pedestrian crossings in order to reach Bicentennial Park (see diagram below). This pedestrian arrangement should be returned to the existing arrangement and the EIS scheme to allow pedestrians to cross direct from Johnston Street to the Park via The Crescent with a single traffic light Relocation of the green link This modification alters one of the centrepieces of the original design: a pedestrian and cycling green link to connect the Glebe foreshore and Bicentennial Park to the new Rozelle parklands in the former Rozelle Goods Yard.

The green link was originally intended to provide a seamless grade separated connection for pedestrian between the Glebe foreshore parkland and the new Rozelle parklands. The relocation of the green link to the west due to the overpass now necessitates the crossing of the Crescent.

The Option 1 and Option 2 in table 4.2 of the Modification Report allow for the single green link to still serve that function.

Relocating that green link to the west of the intersection of The Crescent and City West Link puts the needs of motorists ahead of pedestrians and cyclists. By having it on the western side, you now need to cross the four lights at the Crescent rather than no road crossings at all. The original intent was safer and allowed for greater connections in and around the parklands.

To overcome this lack of a direct link, the modification has added a second pedestrian bridge. As this has to get over the new vehicle overpass, it is another three metres higher than a direct connection. This is adding about 120m length to the walkway to meet accessible grades. An undergrounded tunnel connection would avoid the need for this second bridge.

Destruction of mature fig trees at Buruwan Park. This EIS proposal and this design modification rips up Buruwan Park and all the vegetation at that site including over 70 trees and several beautiful mature fig trees. Removing this vegetation impacts 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. The visual impact is this will be considerable as evidenced by the removal this week of trees in the park along White Creek canal.

The Modification design should make every possible effort to save these trees and vegetation immediately beside the light rail line, including the large fig tree to the west of the Rozelle Bay station stairs. At a bare minimum, these trees should not be removed until a full Urban Design and Landscape Plan has beencompleted. No right turn at The Crescent will lead to 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. Intersection redesign should investigate the ability to easily turn right to access Glebe, The Tramsheds and other local destinations.

Visual impact and obstruction of ‘people’s mural’

This modification will impose hugely on the local landscape in the inner west. The 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 over pass will also partly obstructs 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 innerwest. It is a dearly loved and historically important local artefact that should be protected.

Please see attached submission.

I write to you to object to the proposed modification to M4-M5 link, MOD 2 the proposed Crescent overpass, and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.
I appeal to you as a fellow person, and citizen of New South Wales, who cares about the liveability, economy, beauty of Sydney. Creating this overpass is not the solution to achieving the Greater Sydney Commission’s goal to create a walkable city.

The proposed changes:
Severes the connection between the community and the park
Increases people’s exposure to dangerous vehicles and pollution
Reduces the green space
Increases the distance needed to travel and time delay to people walking and riding a bike
Reduces the productivity of the community
Reduces the economic value of the area and Sydney

The proposed changes do not:
Have a realistic design for creating a pedestrian and cycling connection between Lilyfield, Glebe, Rozelle, Annandale (highlighted lines on a map to not constitute a bridge design)
Encourage people to walk and cycle to places

My submission is oppose the proposed design modification from a tunnel to an overpass.

My submission is request the project to:
● Reevaluate the benefits of the Overpass design with environmental, community, health, safety, and economic benefits to the community.
● Reevaluate the benefits of the Overpass design with environmental, community, health, safety, and economic benefits to the community.
● 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 people onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
● Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport – including the future Metro

It upsets me to see my city being cut down and paved over when cities around the world are ripping down overpasses, Seattle, Utrecht, Seoul, Madrid to reinstate their green space and to provide better liveable, green, safe and beautiful city.


Please consider alternatives to the overpass.


Regards,
Jullietta Jung

Dear Director Transport Assessment Planning Services,

I am writing regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 Link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Roselle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.

I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate deign 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 is central to the design, maximise safety and provide accessible open space for the community now and in the future Bays Precinct design. I am requesting RMS reinstate the original vision and promise laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056.

My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
• The significant reduced safety and increase risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park.
• Increased traffic along Johnson Street and congestion in the local areas of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle.
• Being required to cross fve sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent to reach the foreshore from Annandale and 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 build before a finalised Masterplan for the area is aligned with the community.

My key concerns with work already done are:
• The mass destruction of tress removed in the period from mid August 2019 to the present mid September 2019.
• I request no further tree removal.
• I request that tress are replanted by the end of November 2019 with the recommendation that 28% more tress are planted than were removed to compensate for the nature of immature tress being planted compared to the tress removed.

My submission is seeking RMS and the Project Team to:
• Reinstate the Greenlink connecting community and green open spaces from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
• Design pedestrian and cyclist connection that are continuous, safe, flat and direct from Johnston Street to Bicentennial Part and the Bay Precinct for the community including walkers, runners, cyclists, dogs, baby prams and wheelchairs.
• Integrate active and direct connections to all active and future public transport.


Yours Sincerely,
FH (resident)

I have a general concern with regard to the Crescent/Johnston Street intersection.

Whilst I am pleased to see the investment to improve traffic flow in the area, I am concerned about protecting pedestrian safety crossing the Crescent.

We need to see more traffic calming, pedestrian safety elements incorporated into the proposal. This is already a very busy intersection utilised by school children, locals and animals to access Bicentennial Park and the number of cars will only increase due to the proposal.

Safety features such as pedestrian islands with sufficient width must be incorporated to ensure the safety of all pedestrians and animals.

In the planning I am most concerned about the bicycle access points to the city and pedestrian/bicycle access to Bicentennial Park- I am also keen to maintain the public amnetiy givent he very limited green space across Annandale, Rozelle. The Lilyfield/Leichhardt/Annandale and Rozelle residents havelimited car parkig and so residents have been some of the highest users of bicycle access to the city and local facilities. The bicycle access to Rozelle Light rail from Rozelle Bay rail yards is supported however it =does nto complete the access to Bicentennial Park and requires difficult negotiation of the Johnston St and Crescent intersection - I propose that either a continued cycle path elevated or an underpass wode enough for pboth pedestrian and cycle access to Bicentennial Park be included in the proposal as this will becoem a much busier intersection making it very difficult to negotiate this crossing. already there is a high volume of users with unacceptable bicycle access to the Rozell light rail and back streets.
Secondly in the process of improving cycling and pedestrian access to Anzac bridge the current access from the junction of Lilyfield Rd and Victoria Rd to Anzac Bridge needs to be redesigned and replaced- it is currently hazardous and not wide enough for the purpose and railing is dangerously low for cyclists and pedestrians crossing this bridge- perhaps this could be replaced once completion of the alternative route to the city from Rozelle Yards to Bicentennial park is completed.
The final alternative is clearly to improve bicycle and pedestrian access from Rozelle Rail Yards directly to Bicentennial Park which is the main access required rather than to the Rozelle Light rail. Rozelle residents tend to access the Lilyfield light rail stop rather than the Rozelle Light rail but would preferentially use a direct bicycle pedestrian access to Bicentennial park and then to the city rather than use the hazardous combined bicycle pedestrian bridge at the end of Lilyfield Rd.

I would like to object to this submission because the modification will remove the continuous GreenLink connecting Rozelle across the City-West Link to the foreshore. The Greenlink was designed to safely reconnect Innerwest communities and provide direct access to the water.

There seem to be a number of significant impacts to our community and how we safely access the foreshore from Annandale, Lilyfield and Rozelle, Forest Lodge and Glebe.

I urge you to look at alternate options and reinstate safe, direct access as in the approved GreenLink.

I believe there are considerable safety concerns and increased risk with the removal of pedestrian and cyclists access above The Crescent to Bicentennial
Park. It will mean unsafe and indirect access across five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent to reach the foreshore/railyards.

Removal of direct active links to the foreshore (including the new skatepark and kids playground) will cut 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 will limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge,
Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle.

The NSW is reneging on it’s original plans to keep all Westconnex connectivity underground. This decreases trust and confidence in government.

I oppose the proposal to build the overpass at the crescent. It should be replaced by a short tunnel under the Westlink. The original green bridge design should be maintained and all parkland connectivity seamless. Tree canopies need to be maintained not further destroyed at a time when cities are heating up. It is incumbent on government to listen to and address the genuine concerns of constituents, particularly when public amenity and connectivity solutions that are much more favourable than those proposed are available.

We ask that you retain and protect historical trees and gardens, and the much loved mural that holds a place in the community’s heart. This is about retaining neighbourhoods, connections and nature in an urban environment that is being decimated.

Experts know there are better ways. Hear their voices and those of the community. We are better than this. The government is better than this.

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:
 
 The removal of the community’s direct access to to the foreshore by the project is completely unacceptable.
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 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
 

Re SSI 7485
As a pedestrian in the Rozelle Bay Area, I wish to object to this overpass and urge instead the construction of a short tunnel to direct traffic under the City West Link. This would obviate the need to remove the existing mature figs and gums from what is left of Buruwan Park, leave the community mural uncovered, and most importantly allow a vegetated link for pedestrians, which was what the community was promised. I believe that a short tunnel with an underslot trench is able to deliver a more favourable outcome.

As a Balmain resident who walks frequently both to and from Annandale, and to and from Glebe via Bicentennial Park, I am concerned at the complexity of the proposed access to Bicentennial Park from Lilyfield - 4 crossings are proposed. While it is difficult to gauge what the future pedestrian experience will be, any alienation of pathways away form the water, and alongside or close to vehicle routes is hardly likely to be positive.

The proposal is an indication that motor vehicle traffic is being further prioritised over pedestrians. The WestConnex project has already cost NSW citizens $16 billion, and will deliver the inner west community unventilated smoke stacks, and vastly increased traffic noise and extra fossil-fuel emissions. The communities of Annandale, Rozelle and surrounding suburbs bear the impacts of this phase of WestConnex - surely it is reasonable that the best outcomes for the pedestrian community are not further compromised.

SSI 7485 M4-M5 Link Mod 2 The Crescent overpass

The community needs to be consulted on the latest variation of this project
The proposed changes will create an eye sore and creates significant congestion at the expense of those who are trying to alleviate congestion by walking and running and riding a bile or a taking public transport

The safety of pedestrian and cyclists has not been considered and has been compromised

Teh number of traffic lights is unaccpetbale

The proposed modification to the M4-M5 Link Mod 2 The Crescent overpass

I live near the overpass and I am a regular cyclist and pedestrian around the Rozelle foreshore. I am very concerned about the proposed modifications to the M4-M5 link at Rozelle bay. The proposed number of traffic lights that one will need to use to walk from Annandale to the foreshore is too high. The design does not facilitate easy pedestrian access to the shoreshore.

I request that the NSW Government ensure that pedestrian and cycling access is prioritised at the foreshore interchange. The consent authority should consider that the number of cyclists using this area is increasing and will continue to increase over the years especially with greater use of e-bikes. The proposed modifications will disadvantage cyclists and pedestrians and I strongly oppose the modifications because of this.

To Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,
I am a long term resident of the area affected by 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 would use this area virtually every day as a car driver, cyclist and pedestrian. Consequently, I have a strong and direct interest in the changes proposed.
Having closely looked at the proposal, I must register my strongest objection to the proposed changes. From my various perspectives - as a driver, cyclist and pedestrian, none of the changes make any sense and instead will substantially limit and complicate my transport routes and ability to have easy access to enjoy the foreshore areas.
In particular I am seriously concerned by:
- the bizarre proposal to replace pedestrian/cyclist access across the Crescent to Bicentennial Park with needing to make our waythrough 5 sets of crossings, which would significantly limit access and add considerable risks and delays, for no apparent benefit to anyone.
- the proposed removal of the right turn from Johnston Street into the Crescent, that we use several times each day. The removal of that traffic route will create significant inconvenience and force drivers like us into the suburban streets of Annandale that are already having difficulty coping with local traffic, and thereby creating further congestion and delays.
- the removal of direct access by the local community to the foreshore and Centennial Park at the very time when those areas are finally being opened up for additional open recreational spaces.
I would request that the proposed changes are not proceeded with and that the RMS and the Project Team:
- relocate safe and direct pedestrian and cyclist connections
- provide for a right turn for traffic from Johnston Street into the Crescent and
- reinstate the greenlink connecting Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
It would be greatly appreciated if our concerns as local residents directly affected by these changes be taking into account in a review of this proposed set of changes.
Yours sincerely,
John Martin
29 Paling Street, Lilyfield NSW 2040.
email: [email protected]

I strongly object to and oppose the suggested modification which would allow the building of an overpass at The Crescent in Annandale and request that the plan for an overpass be replaced with a short tunnel under the City West Link. The underpass would provide the best urban and visual outcomes and should allow the retention of the green bridge in a location to best connect the parklands together. In particular it strengthens the connection of communities and green spaces by facilitating the single pedestrian crossing at Johnston Street. Pedestrian connectivity must be maximised by ensuring there is a single crossing point from Johnston Street across the crescent to the foreshore parks.

The above ground road overpass has significantly changed from the original EIS design with multiple flow on effects. It has led to the relocation of the green link, the
addition of a new pedestrian bridge, and associated visual impacts and destroys pedestrian connectivity. All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive
focus on improved vehicle movements level of service. This modification prioritises the needs of motorists, ignoring the experience of local pedestrian traffic and making it harder for residents to access the public waterfront. In line with the urban design principles in the EIS, pedestrian connectivity needs to be greatly improved. Under this proposed modification, pedestrians walking from the western side of Johnston Street will need to cross in four different locations to reach Bicentennial Park. This pedestrian arrangement should be returned to the existing arrangement and the EIS scheme to allow pedestrians to cross direct from Johnston Street to the Park via The Crescent with a single traffic light.
Relocation of the green link
This modification alters one of the a key part of the original design: a pedestrian and cycling green link to connect the Glebe foreshore and Bicentennial Park to the new Rozelle parklands in the former Rozelle Goods Yard. The green link was originally intended to provide a seamless connection for pedestrian between the Glebe foreshore parkland and the new Rozelle parklands. The relocation of the green link to the west due to the overpass now necessitates the crossing of the Crescent.
Relocating that green link to the west of the intersection of The Crescent and City West Link puts the needs of motorists ahead of pedestrians and cyclists and places cyclists and pedestrians at increased risk. This modification necessitates four separate crossing points across the four lights at the Crescent. The original intent was safer and allowed for greater connections in and around the parklands. To overcome this lack of a direct link, the modification has added a second pedestrian bridge. As this has to get over the new vehicle overpass, it is another three metres higher than a direct connection. This is adding about 120m length to the walkway to meet accessible grades. An underground tunnel connection would avoid the need for this second bridge.
No right turn at The Crescent will lead to 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. Intersection redesign should investigate the ability to easily turn right to access Glebe, The Tramsheds and other local destinations.

I am appalled at the RMS' attempt to slip in such a significant change to what was previously agreed. Solutions which address the need for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists are essential rather than a solution which only meets the needs of one group. As such, I insist that changes be made to this modification.

I am writing to object to this proposed amendment, given that it is substantially different to the indicative design proposed in the original concept design, which promised — despite the potential damage to properties and loss of resumed substrata affecting property values — to offer an unobtrusive underground tunnel to avoid the traffic lights we were told WestConnex was designed to circumvent.

As a community, we were promised safe, direct pedestrian and cycling access across the Crescent by means of an above ground, vegetated green link, which would ameliorate the unprecedented concentration of unfiltered, toxic emissions from the three stacks at the Rozelle Goods Yard, and that current traffic conditions, including the right turn into Johnson Street, along with shared user pathways and considerate connection to the Bays Precinct Master Plan, would be maintained.

Instead, we now see — thanks to an approval without finalised or consulted design — that we will now lose all of these, including convenient green link, the destruction of trees and Burawang Park, a massive spaghetti junction with no direct route for pedestrians or cyclists, no right turn into Johnson Street, resulting in even longer bottlenecks along the Crescent as drivers are forced to turn at the Bicentennial Park roundabout, and no vegetation on the proposed footbridge. Worse still, the unique and much-loved People's Mural on the Crescent, will now be obscured, with fears the wonderful troll under the bridge will be relocated or destroyed.

Given how blithely, aggressively and summarily WestConnex has destroyed communities, parkland and homes, we can only expect this is likely — especially given how poorly WestConnex, Transurban and RMS have communicated with residents and homeowners.

This new, previously unexplained modification completely disregards the previous consent given to this project, and not only seriously degrades the amenity of this area and community, destroying its unique character, it does so in a completely ugly and unnecessary way, removing any greenery from the original concept, and rendering it potentially dangerous to commuters and women and children after dark, especially given it now drastically increases the walk time from the proposed metro station. It also prevents Johnson Street residents any direct access to Rozelle Goods Yard and to Bicentennial Park, with pedestrians being forced to use four pedestrian crossings to reach Bicentennial Park — and further restricted from accessing or using the public foreshore.

Furthermore, we were told by SMC air quality experts that the entire point of tunnelling so dangerously close to our homes and schools was to ensure that emissions did not escape the tunnels. Building this ugly, unnecessary, undisclosed overpass removes this argument, or any suggestion that this project, which does not address issues of congestion on the Anzac Bridge, significantly increases traffic, exhaust emissions and costs to commuters, and the destruction of these trees, many of which are over 30 years old, and were specifically planted to create a barrier to the Crescent and WestConnex and to ameliorate exhaust emissions, mean that even if they are replaced with saplings — WestConnex's infamous "trees" — it could take decades for tree cover to return, resulting in greater heat, more local traffic in Johnson, Booth and Piper Streets, and increased noise and emissions for Annandale residents.

I urge you to please reconsider this new development and to not further destroy our community, as promised in the EIS, design concept and consultations over the last three years. But as I — and thousands of other homeowners, small business owners, parents and school children have discovered, our concerns and fears are not as important to this Government as ensuring its big business and party political mates are looked after.

OBJECTIONS ARE THAT THE MODIFICATION
1. Prioritises the needs of motorists before those of local pedestrian traffic and access to the public waterfront. In line with the urban design principles in the EIS, pedestrian connectivity needs to be greatly improved.
2. Impedes pedestrian access to Bicentennial Park and Jubilee Park at Johnston Street 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 returned to the existing arrangement and the EIS scheme to allow pedestrians to cross direct from Johnston Street to the Park via The Crescent with a single traffic light
3. Alters one of the centrepieces of the original design: a pedestrian and cycling green link to connect the Glebe foreshore and Bicentennial Park to the new Rozelle parklands in the former Rozelle Goods Yard. The green link was originally intended to provide a seamless grade separated connection for pedestrian between the Glebe foreshore parkland and the new Rozelle parklands. The relocation of the green link to the west due to the overpass now necessitates the crossing of the Crescent.
Relocating that green link to the west of the intersection of The Crescent and City West Link puts the needs of motorists ahead of pedestrians and cyclists. By having it on the western side, you now need to cross the four lights at the Crescent rather than no road crossings at all. The original intent was safer and allowed for greater connections in and around the parklands.
To overcome this lack of a direct link, the modification has added a second pedestrian bridge. As this has to get over the new vehicle overpass, it is another three metres higher than a direct connection. This is adding about 120m length to the walkway to meet accessible grades. An undergrounded tunnel connection would avoid the need for this second bridge.
4. Destroys mature fig trees at Buruwan Park. This EIS proposal and this design modification rips up Buruwan Park and all the vegetation at that site including over 70 trees and several beautiful mature fig trees.
Removing this vegetation impacts 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. The visual impact is this will be considerable as evidenced by the removal this week of trees in the park along White Creek canal.
The Modification design should make every possible effort to save these trees and vegetation immediately beside the light rail line, including the large fig tree to the west of the Rozelle Bay station stairs. At a bare minimum, these trees should not be removed until a full Urban Design and Landscape Plan has been completed.
5. Creates no right turn at The Crescent which will lead to 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. Intersection redesign should investigate the ability to easily turn right to access Glebe, The Tramsheds and other local destinations.
6. Has a massive vvisual impact and obstructs the ‘people’s mural’
This modification will impose hugely on the local landscape in the inner west. The 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 partly obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates he 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

Please review my attached letter outlining my concerns with the aforementioned project.

Application number SSI 7485
I strongly object to this modification to the M4-M5 link because it alienates pedestrians from access to Rozelle Bay and the new Rozelle parklands, it is detrimental to the suburb of Annandale, and it prioritises the convenience of motorists above the needs of residents.
Our suburbs are not just swathes of land waiting to be decimated by roads. They are places where people live and raise their families. Access to areas like Rozelle Bay where people can exercise is essential for our physical and mental health. So many government guidelines talk about the threat to our health from obesity, yet this new plan cuts people off from the parks around Rozelle Bay as well as the new Rozelle parklands.
We should also be encouraging the exercise involved in catching public transport rather than driving. This modification is only focused on increasing the convenience for motorists and puts every other consideration as a lower priority.
An overpass of the size proposed will have a severely detrimental effect on the suburb of Annandale. Noise and pollution will be increased.
Even before you have received permission to proceed with this modification the trees adjoining the road and in Buruwan Park have been destroyed, destroying the visual and aural barrier between the road and the Rozelle Bay light rail stop and surrounding houses. This is sheer arrogance, ignoring the processes of community consultation that have gone before.
At a time when the climate science can no longer be debated, and some of the proposed solutions to this disaster include planting millions of trees and using public transport, a proposal to prioritise motor vehicles above all else, to cut people off from parklands and to cut down established trees demonstrates an outmoded and destructive approach to urban planning.