MOD 3 - Iron Cove ventilation underground

Hi there,
with the modification, moving the ventilation unit underground, I'm wondering if there'l be any permanent noise barriers / acoustic walls installed towards the western- & southern parts?
I'm fully supporting the move to the underground, but a bit concerned about noise if there's only a bit green space...
See attachment mock up for details.
Thanks,
Volker

Considering the fact that the modification will require a ventilation tunnel to be dug out under the front of our property (where the facade of the property already is displaying signs of structural weakness) I object to the project modification.
Considering the fact that a Switch room, high voltage regulators and alternative Operational Motorway Control System (OCMS) being six meters wide and thirty meters long, with a height of (5 - Proposed Modification - 5.2.2 Surface infrastructure - with a height of up to five meters) contradicts (Appendix D - Noise and vibration, 1 - Introduction- 1.1 Summary description of proposed modification - with a height of up to eight meters) I object to the project modification.
We have lost a beautiful jacaranda tree at our rear boundary which has been replaced with a 3.8 meter noise barrier. I don't know how much summer sun will be available to our property if we are in the shadow path of an eight meter building? Because of this I object to the project modification.

- https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-s-toxic-footprint-the-suburbs-most-at-risk-from-lead-contamination-20191130-p53fnx.html.
- the tunnel between Iron Cove and west link has no purpose : it is not improving the quality of the Victoria Road plain as this continues to be a 6 lane sewer - Iron Cove bridge is a bottleneck - it will only cause more toxicity for residents
- without this side-tunnel it is not possible to construct this tunnel section between iron cove and west link - this side tunnel should not be approved and the tunnel to Iron Cove should not be built.

I object to the following in particular:
size of operation: 10 additional workers who will park in local streets, making it more difficult for residents and users of King George Park to find a parking spot. Contrary to what John Holland suggests, a lot of their workers park in the area and with the work continuing 24/7 we get woken up by cars of workers arriving and leaving throughout the night. If this proposal goes ahead - , no additional workers should be allowed.
the tunnel depth: the depth is not sufficient, 7 meters is too close to streets and houses. This noise and vibration caused by this tunnel should be assessed now and should be taken into consideration in assessing this application - not after the construction as suggested by the proponent. That is what an Environmental Impact Assessment is for: to assess the impact of a proposal and determine if the impact on other sources is acceptable/how it weighs up to the proposal. Basically: this proposal can't be assessed without the noise and vibration impacts available.
- substation: electro magnetic radiation: what is the impact of the substation on the health of people living in close proximity?
- hours of operation: I strongly object to the proposed 24/7 operation of the excavation with trucks moving in and out so close to where people try to sleep. Research proves that sleep deprivation is extremely dangerous for health. Here is just one article: https://australiascience.tv/four-ways-sleep-deprivation-affects-your-brain-and-your-body/ Excavation trucks should not be allowed to exit as per the proposal but exit to the rail yards. The impact on the community is too grave to approve this proposal.
- pedestrians and cyclists: relocation of existing shared paths has not been considered appropriately and no consultation process has been conducted. The contractor does not know how many people use the existing shared lanes, where these people come and go and thus, can't provide proper alternatives that reduce the negative impact of the closure of the paths. Given the long timeframes of the pathways being relocated, these can't be considered 'temporarily' and should be considered permanent and as such should be going out for public consultation. There has been no consideration for cyclists coming from Drummoyne, children crossing Victoria Road. - no safe and workable alternatives have been provided so far .
- air quality: the air quality during construction will be worsened compared to the approved EIS for the local community as the proposal is to remove debris from the site instead of from the rail yards.
- any residual land should be bounded by sound walls.

1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes. I have read in the Sydney Morning Herald that filtration systems in use in Japan with their tunnels are cheaper than the proposed unfiltered stacks proposed by NSW Government.
2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost. Also concerned about the ground water which when there is no drought, naturally flows through this land, its where Springside street got its name, we often have frogs in time of heavy rains in Moodie street. Has there been any provision to protect this ground water?

please see attached submission

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:
1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes.

2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost.

It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”

Dear Staff member,
We have reviewed the proposal and have no comments.
Regards,
Kleete Simpson

The modification is for moving the ventilation and electrical equipment underground.
I think the modification is a positive change providing the surplus land is able to be incorporated into the Residual Land Management Plan and in the Urban Design and Landscape Plan being undertaken by the consortium and not given back to RMS or any other party to sell to developers. This plan needs to be available for public comment at least 6 months prior to theses works commencing.
Other issues are in the attachment.

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:
1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of
Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite
Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes.
2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost. It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”

A Land status investigation on Iron Cove ventilation underground (SSI-7485-Mod-3) shows that there is no Crown land features exist apparently. If the proposal affects Crown land it should be compulsorily acquired under the provisions of the Land Acquisition (just terms) Compensation Act 1991. Its proponent is Roads and Maritime Services and mainly involved with their infrastructure. Therefore, No comments from Crown land at this time stage of the Project

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:

1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary
Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve
the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW
Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in
order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the
ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks
in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the
proposed changes.

2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for
community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically
the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be
planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our
community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of
all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help
reinstate some of what has been lost.
It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public
Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan
for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and
regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:
1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes.

2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost.

It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:
1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes.

2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost.

It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”

Errors in the Modification Documents require the Modification to be represented and renotified.

Currently there are changes proposed to all parts of the design, not just associated with the undergrounding of structures, which are shown on the drawings Of the Mod 3 submission but not explained in the text and therefore their impact is not being highlighted to the community or addressed by Westconex/John Holland. All plans, diagrams and artists impressions use the numbering provided in “Rozelle Interchange, Westconnex, Community Guide, Iron Cove ventilation under grounding Modification” dated Nov 2019.

The Number of Lanes and Road width has been Modified Without Notice
Figure 5 (cross section) is now incorrect. There are now 4 city bound lanes shown on Victoria Road according to the Modification Fig. 2 Plan, rather than the 3 lanes shown in the Fig.1 M4-M5 Link EIS Approved Concept Design.
This equates to an additional lane and a now expanded road width. The modification plan shows a total of 11 lanes including the 4 lanes in the tunnel, 4 north of the tunnel and 3 south. Additionally the change can be seen in the difference between Artists Impression 7 from the approved EIS showing only 3 lanes of Roadway and a new and improved wider foot/cycleway to the north, and then in the 7A artists impression we can see the crumbling footpath is staying as is and at this point Victoria Road is shown to be 5 lanes wide.

The Cycleway/Footway Width has been Modified without Notice
The current pedestrian and cycleway sharing on the south side of Victoria Road as drawn in the modified plan at Fig. 2 is a variation from the approved plan and is completely inadequate. The width of the cycle/pedestrian way on the Fig. 2 plan shows the width to be the same as existing. Whereas the approved artists impression on the cover of the “Community Guide – Iron Cove Ventilation and Underground Modification – November 2019”, the artists impression at Fig.7A and the Fig 5 cross section shows the cycle/foot path at the same width as a car lane, and consistent with the cycle/footway on Iron Cove Bridge to which it connects.

Bus Pullover Bays
Pullover Bays are shown in both the Approved EIS documents (Fig.1) and the modification documents (Fig. 7A) but not in the same locations. Fig.2 Modification Plan shows no bus pullover bays. Have proposed bus stop locations been moved, have pullover bays been deleted? Is this because the roadway is now wider and the room for pullover bays is diminished?

Residual Land
How can Westconnex describe the newly formed Residual Land having improved amenity (by reducing the size and height of buildings), and now show this space in an artist’s impression as green landscaping (Fig 7A) when in fact residual land is subject to Transport NSW’s Residual Land Management Plan for the site’s use and that is yet to be determined? Its not factual.

Authentic, Factual, Correct Documents and Accompanying Communication is Urgently Required – Community Impacts Cannot be Determined and Assessed Without it
Before these modifications are approved, and before Clubb Street is permanently closed and a temporary footway installed, the community would like to see a physical line painted on the roadways of Clubb Street, Toelle Street, Callan Street and Springside Street showing the location of the new Victoria Road kerb and the width of the foot path and cycle way painted adjacent to it. These markings should be placed by surveyors and be accurate. This physical mock up is a standard planning approval method for demonstrating to the effected community the extent of a development and is often used to present the height of a development to assess shadows and view loss. In this case it allows the community to understand if the roadway just got 3m wider and they lost some of their future open space or did it impact the width of their cycleway, has it brought everything much closer to the homes adjacent to the development, or are there no longer any bus pullover bays? Additionally have improvements to the pedestrian/cycleway on the north side of the road been dropped from the scope? At this stage, with so much inconsistent documentation, the community needs to be given the clear scope of work for the project. We need the actual dimension of the roadway. And we should be given offsets from property boundaries at the top of Clubb Street, Callan Street and Toelle Street to believe that the project details and impacts are being correctly communicated and indeed to have confidence in the management and direction of the project.

UDLP
The walls of the tunnel entry should be lined in a hanging plant/moss garden to absorb pollution, nose and heat and restore a modicum of soft landscaped area lost to due to the project and now to what appears to be an expanded roadway.

Pedestrian Crossing across Drumoyne Bound Lanes of Victoria Road from south side (Toelle Street) to “Ventilation Island” has been deleted
The Figure 2 Plan shows no Pedestrian Crossing across the south roadway. Where is the crossing?

Parking in Clubb Street
How much parking is to be provided in Clubb Street and Where? There appears to be one spot shown off street but why is the end of the street no longer shown as a turning circle? Why is it square and it goes all the way to the foot/cycle path?

I object to the modification in its current form, with my specific concerns outlined in the attached document.

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:
1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes.

2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost.

It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:
1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes. It is unacceptable that there be unfiltered smoke stacks in this community, a residential area and some located near Rozelle Public School.

2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost. The character and environmentally necessary enhancements of this community must be retained.

It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”

While it is a relief that the underground ventilation facility will be placed underground and away from King George's Park and the previously proposed bio retention facility will not impact on playing fields and other much needed green space in the community, I still protest this development and the lack of filtration on the proposed stack so close to Rozelle Public School, Sydney Secondary College Balmain and a number of residential developments and preschools.

All these schools and educational facilities should be given double glazing to mitigate noise, shade cloths in playgrounds to prevent spoil and dust falling on children, and airconditioning to prevent toxic lead, dioxins and particulates from contaminated spoil entering classrooms and developing lungs during construction.

The use of imagery depicting the development after 10 years' of use, with few cars, is also misleading, as we know that Victoria Road, the Rozelle Goods Yard, the Crescent and White Bay will continue to look like the dusty, treeless, apocalyptic moonscape you have now made it. To show us what the project might look like in 2038 – after 3-5 years’ of non-stop construction and then 10 years’ of operation, is deeply misleading.

Given previous breaches by WestConnex contractors in spoil removal and truck movements in Haberfield and St Peters, I am extremely concerned about provisions for safe spoil removal through residential streets and so close to schools, and there is little detail about how this is proposed, or where residents can lodge complaints or reports of these breaches.

The impact of 24 hour noise as being akin to "a truck idling next to your house" sounds horrific and distressing — perhaps project managers, the Planning and Roads Ministers and the Premier might consider having a concrete mixer outside their homes 24/7 in solidarity with affected families? The suggestion that there will be no structural damage to homes, given the extensive damage to homes in Beverly Hills, St Peters, Strathfield, Concord and Haberfield by drilling and construction is fallacious.

All homes affected by drilling should be provided with double glazing and airconditioning to mitigate vibration noise and dust. Any householders in the immediate area affected by this should be given respite accommodation for the duration of drilling.

However, after long experience of "community consultations" in which any concerns are patronisingly and blithely dismissed by SMC, RMS and contractors, I know any objection is futile. You will do what is best for investors, contractors, the Government's political donors and fellow travellers, no matter the cost to us, our homes, our and our children's health, and our community's amenity. You will bulldoze our homes and concerns with relish and punish us for standing up for our homes and community. I imagine you will be laughing as you read this now, just as we have been regularly ridiculed, dismissed, condescended to and ignored in community meetings and "consultations".

That you should have called for submissions a week before Christmas, at the same time as submissions for the proposed egregious changes to the White Bay Cruise Terminal traffic and noise conditions, reflects that contempt for our community, hoping no doubt to "put the rubbish out" without anyone noticing.

I hope you sleep much easier than we or our children do now, and as apparently the Premier can now too. https://www.9news.com.au/national/gladys-berejiklian-labelled-a-hypocrite-over-smoke-stack-backflip/1558ddb0-b5fb-40c2-b441-bbb722eb84e4

The following two conditions must be included in the new design prior to approval:

1. The EIS and the approval of the Rozelle interchange preceded the Parliamentary Inquiry into Westconnex. The recommendations of this Inquiry should inform the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) in its decision to approve the proposed changes. The Parliamentary Inquiry stated: “That the NSW Government install, on all current and future motorway tunnels, filtration systems in order to reduce the level of pollutants emitted from ventilation stacks”. Therefore the ventilation stack on Victoria Road opposite Callan Street and the 3 ventilation stacks in the Rozelle Goods Yard must include filtration as a condition of the approval for the proposed changes.

2. All residual land along Victoria Road at the Iron Cove Link should be used for community based amenities, such as planting, parks and playgrounds. Specifically the residual land on Victoria Road between Callan and Springside Streets should be planted with mature size trees and become a park for all residents to enjoy. Since our community has been ravaged by the destruction of historic homes and the removal of all vegetation, including mature aged trees along Victoria Road, this would help reinstate some of what has been lost.

It is important to note that this is consistent with the DPIE’s Place, Design and Public Spaces policy, which states: “We create great places and experiences for all, plan for a changing and thriving NSW, inspire strong and resilient communities and regions, and ensure the responsible and sustainable use of NSW’s resources.”