MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

Dear Fadi,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a submission.

I am concerned about the changes in the design, especially regarding loss of the direct, connected shared user pathway from the Crescent/Whites Creek path to Glebe Foreshore. Access to the Glebe Foreshore provides access to quality green space for local residents, including myself, as well as a key link to destinations such as schools like Blackwattle and the city, for children and slower cyclists who prefer a quieter, flatter and more scenic route.

Relocating the green link to the west so that it will no longer directly connect with the Glebe foreshore and installing multiple traffic lights to cross would compromise access for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users, adding to commute times and reducing safety. This seems inconsistent with the recently announced Premier's priority to ensure all Sydney residents are within 10 minute walking distance of quality green space - especially if it takes close to that time to cross the road.
If the reroute adds distance as well as elevation, it could present significant challenges for less mobile/less fit community members to access the parks and connection to the Fish Markets/Sydney city - including for prams and wheelchairs.
Please rethink flat, direct shared use access to the Foreshore, especially since this was what was previously approved as a condition for removing Buruwan Park.

Whilst I support the expansion of infrastructure in Sydney and the need for increased road networks, I do oppose the modifications proposed to scrap the green link and the underground section of road in replacement of an overpass. I have children that use the foreshore and travel up to Rozelle for school, crossing roads, particularly 4 - 8 lane roads is extremely dangerous and stressful. A safe passage is paramount. Also the aesthetics of the area need to be maintained, this is a beautiful part of Sydney with a rich history going back to the first fleet, why compromise a community to save dollars? Please do the job right the first time, for the community, the bike riders, runners, families, children and the city itself.

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.

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

Yours Sincerely,

Donna Youngman

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.


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.



Yours Sincerely,

Bryce Youngman

Th comments below are in reference to application number SSI 7485. Annandale Overpass

I am writing to object to this proposed amendment. Key points of my objection are below:

* The modification removes many of the favourable urban design features of the original proposal replacing them with a massive overpass.
* 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. This is no longer part of the design.
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.
* 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.
*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.

1. Eastern pedestrian overpass intimidates the most vulnerable
Even though we are assured the gradient is manageable, the absolute length of the incline, as well as the circuitous path make the overpass a nightmare for the disabled, elderly, children and mothers with prams. These groups are all those who will not have a credible alternate access route between the Rail Yards and Bicentennial Park, as these are all groups who cannot afford to risk the additional five street crossings they would be forced into by taking the “GreenLink” bridge.
2. Calling the western pedestrian bridge a “GreenLink” is disingenuous
3. The project has failed to understand the use case for the bridges

I have objections to the proposed change at Annandale/Rozelle which will change the area's amenity from an unobtrusive underground tunnel to an unnecessary and ugly flyover that will have a detrimental visual impact and will destroy many trees, many of these vital for wildlife and will remove essential canopy for an already overheated Sydney city.
The additional traffic noise will have significant impact on the amenity of the surrounding area, especially on people using the local parks for passive recreation.
Removal of the Buruwan Park trees, 70 trees in total, especially the mature figs, will have a detrimental effect on wildlife, removing not only essential habitat but also food resources for bats and birds. Mature trees provide hollows for many wildlife species, such as powerful owls, possums, microbats and many species of birds.
The proposed modification is in direct contravention of the Greater Sydney Commission's objectives as follows:
1. Key Direction 8 ' Valuing green space & landscape' - Removing parkland and trees is obviously decreasing the urban tree canopy.
2. Objective 27 'Biodiversity is protected, urban bushland is enhanced' - The proposed flyover will harm biodiversity and destroy vital remnant bushland.
3. Objective 28 'Scenic landscapes are protected' - The proposed flyover will destroy the scenic amenity of the area.
4. Objective 30 'Urban tree canopy is increased' - This proposal will obviously destroy vital urban tree canopy.
5. Objective 31 'Public open space is accessible, protected and enhanced' - This proposed flyover will obviously destroy, not protect or enhance public space.
6. Objective 32 'The Green Grid links parks, open spaces, bushland, cycle paths' - This proposal removes a link in an existing green corridor.
7. Key Direction 10 'A resilient city, Heatwaves and extreme heat are managed' - The reduction of open space, green space and the removal of tree canopy, particularly mature trees that provide deep shade increases the effect of heat waves and extreme heat.
In summary the new proposal should not be approved!! There are far too many serious impacts that would result if the proposed flyover was constructed. This proposal is also inconsistent with the accepted planning directives and objectives of the Greater Sydney Commission. The original proposed underground connection will have none of these negative impacts and is far superior and should be retained.

Please see submission in attached pdf document

Director, Transport Assessments Planning Services
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39
Sydney, NSW 2001

Application: SSI 7485

Dear Director,

Re: 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’m writing to let you know how worried I am about these proposed changes to the original plan for WestConnex in the area I live in. My family and I have lived in White Street, Lilyfield for over 30 years and have enjoyed the amenities of the parks in particular Bicentennial Park for many years. Walking on a regular basis to this park is my key health strategy. Being able to take grandchildren safely to the park is also key to the fabric of my life. These are now under threat.

I’m very upset to find that not only is the GreenLink gone but there is now to be 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.

The impact on pedestrians and cyclists, families and children wanting to go for a walk in the park has been severely affected.

Please place people back into the design at the centre rather than just cars.

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.

We live here and use the park on a daily basis.

I’m also very concerned about the impact of a proposed two lane overpass above the intersection of the City West Link and the Crescent - rather than an interchange built underground as promised. This will be pretty devasting for the area, both in terms of noise, character, pollution etc. It will affect the sense of community, increasing the way in which Lilyfield and Annandale are cut up from each other by roads and more heavy fast moving traffic. This seems out of step with a greener future where we really ought to be moving towards cleaner, safer, greener suburbs with fewer cars, more public transport and autonomous electric vehicles. I always believed the interchange would be built underground as the Government asserted.

Therefore I’m asking that the RMS reinstate the vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056 and please work with the community to design a feasible option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.

In summary I share the main concerns of the local community as follows:

● 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.
● The impact of a future white elephant two lane overpass above the intersection of the City West Link and the Crescent - rather than an interchange built underground as promised. A ‘spaghetti junction’ in a suburban area, bringing pollution, noise, heavy traffic etc. This seems out of step with a greener future where we really ought to be moving towards cleaner, safer, greener suburbs with fewer cars, more public transport and autonomous electric vehicles.
● 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.
● 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.
● 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.
● Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.


Please:
● Put people’s safety first - Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways. Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
● Rethink the two lane overpass above the intersection of the City West Link and the Crescent – and return to the plan for the interchange to be built underground as promised.
● Reinstate the GreenLink connecting people and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park
● Integrate direct connections to all transport – including the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf – don’t cut us off from these transport hubs.
● Keep the design in response to the character of the suburbs, the location of the foreshore and its potential future development.


Yours sincerely,

Gael Kennedy
--------
34 White Street
Lilyfield 2040
e: [email protected]
m: 0403131410

The proposed modifications to the M4-M5 Link are unacceptable as this design preferences traffic movement over pedestrian safety and ease of access to the green spaces as laid out in the original Plan. Urban spaces are ultimately people spaces - it's where we live and a well-planned city is one that people feel a sense of belonging to and caring. The modifications look awful. The alienating concrete passageways will do nothing to develop a sense of connectedness to place in this busy urban/city fringe. As a grandmother with care of two grandchildren I know the stress involved in negotiating crossing roads with small children and yet am determined to access park lands because they need to exercise and enjoy outside play. This modification requires crossing five sets of pedestrian lights to access the foreshore. The modifications will be an obstacle to pedestrian use of this much-anticipated green space. Again, community and pedestrians needs are subsumed by the traffic, cars, buses and trucks.
This also smacks of a paucity of design skills within the RMS if this clumsy, dangerous and eyesore modification is the best they can do. Surely Sydney has urban designers capable of managing the conflicting needs of traffic flow and pedestrian movement in a more effective way and give us the free flowing access to public spaces that we need to lead healthy and connected lives.
People need to feel a sense of belonging to their communities. Excellent urban design facilitates this.
This modification fails on every count and must not proceed.

Please see letter attached.