North West Rail Link - Civil Works

Dear Sir

We fully support the construction of the North West Rail Link. However we do not support one of the options under consideration for access to the Cheltenham Intermediate Services
Facility.

We understand that there are two options possible in respect to access to the Cheltenham Intermediate Services Facility.

(1) Access to the Facility requiring new ramps on and off the M2 to the proposed site of the Facility; or
(2) A new two lane road to be built through bushland from Kirkham Street to the proposed site of the Facility.

The bushland through which the proposed road from Kirkham Street to Cheltenham oval was gazetted as a reserve about 100 years ago. The quality of that bushland is still in excellent condition today. Unfortunately it did lose some of its area with the building of the M2 and the current widening of the M2. The high quality bushland has numerous beautiful native shrubs and orchids and wildlife. It has recently been inspected by botanists from the Australian Plant Society. They identified over 100 species of natives plants in that bushland. It is a beautiful area of bushland and it is well used by bushwalkers. There are many stands of beautiful large trees, the panorama of which can be viewed when driving down Murray Farm Road over the bridge and on towards Kirkham Street. To destroy this bushland will be a disaster for this area and will require the removal of huge trees and a massive clearing of other vegetation.

It seems an enormous sacrifice to make to destroy this beautiful and very old high quality bushland just to build a 350m two lane road through it when, in the long run, access to the Facility will only be necessary for any maintenance or emergencies.

We believe a much better access for building the Facility could be made by building ramps off the already built M2 Motorway and there is also the option of using Castle Howard Road which already has direct access to the netball courts. Parking of cars has always been problem in Castle Howard Road when there is a sporting event taking place on the Oval. As a temporary measure during the construction of the Facility access can be made by pedestrians to the Cheltenham Oval via Murray Road and Cheltenham Road, and parking would also be available in these streets.

It would be financial a folly to build a two lane road through the steep sandstone terrain which is quite heavily timbered when access is available through existing roads at minimal cost. We believe it would be a tragedy to destroy this beautiful bushland just to build a 350m two lane road, which when finished would only be used occasionally when there are two more economical options of using roads already built and are right next to the site.

Yours sincerely
George and Valerie Zalitis
98697317
18May 2012

Dear Sir/Madam,


I would like to express my concern along with my dismay on how you can think of ruining the 100 year old gazetted "Black butt Gully Forest reserve " ???

You guys have already had a go at splitting our suburb in half and "taking" away from the beauty of this area and threatening once again rare plant species and habitats.

How much more do the community have to give to provide more space for cars .... We should be providing better transport options NOT ruining what little natural beauty we have.

You will have a fight on your hands as this area is USED AND LOVED BY THE COMMUNITY !!!!

Our kids need open space and some "natural" bushland to appreciate what's worth saving. Our kids need the netball courts to encourage sporting activities and not be sitting inside looking at a computer screen !

Taking away these courts will not only take away something from our kids but put MORE traffic onto Beecroft Road and Pennant Hills Road as parents ferry their kids to training or a game? Not to mention that kids may not be able to play as many parents may not be able to get home in time to make the "already up to 40 minute drive in traffic to Pennant Hills Net ball courts...

Your proposal is short sighted and dos not provide ANY benefits to anybody. Start thinking long term and protect what little bushland , open space and sporting facilities we already have.

Our established suburbs should NOT be sacrificed because the government of the day WONT commit to a better public transport or infrastructure when creating new suburbs.


Regards

Jenny Houlihan

2 The Crescent

Beecroft NSW 2119

0448 209 039

Dear Sir/Madam,


We refer to the proposal to build an emergency access facility on the site of the Netball courts next to Cheltenham oval as part of the NWRL, but more particularly to the proposal to either construct approximately 400 m of road linking that facility with Kirkham Street adjacent to the bridge across the M2, or alternatively, to provide access from the M2 itself.


In view of the nature of the Conservation Reserve and the effect on using local roads (not designed for the purpose) for the removal of spoil, it would appear to be in the best interests of the local Beecroft/Cheltenham community to have access to the site from the M2 Motorway.


We therefore formally lodge our objection against any proposal to construct an access road linking the proposed NWRL facility with Kirkham street.



Yours et.,



Ross and Pat Johnson

3 Boronia Avenue, BEECROFT

Tel: 9876 6178

Dear Sir,


Re: North West Rail Link And Cheltenham Oval


I object to the building of a new paved road through the bushland reserve to Kirkham St
(Castle Howard Road, near the bridge over the M2), a distance of approximately 400m.


The bushland that would endure despoliation is Blackbutt Gully and it is enjoyed by both the local and wider community.

Yours sincerely,


Rex and Sandra Sadler

Good afternoon,

I would like to comment on the two options under consideration in the EIS for access of heavy construction vehicles to the site of the proposed access facility at Cheltenham Oval.

I strongly support the option which favours the building of on and off ramps from the M2 Motorway. This is next to the site and engineering advice is that it should be possible to widen the breakdown lane from 2m to 3m for 150 m from the access point in both directions to allow the heavy vehicles required for the work to enter and leave the site safely. These ramps would remain after construction and serve to access the tunnel for emergency services. This would be a permanent arrangement therefore and would make economically good sense.

The alternative option of building a paved road through Castle Howard Conservation Reserve to Kirkham Street has two major difficulties.

1. It destroys Blackbutt Gully forest which was gazetted reserve over 100 years ago. The southern edge near Devlins Creek was taken for the building of the M2 in 1995. It would be a tragedy if still more of this forest was taken. It is a beautiful area in which to go walking and the people of Beecroft and Cheltenham have enjoyed the magnificence of this area for many decades. I have walked daily in the forest with my dogs for forty years. It is enormously important for the preservation of biodiversity in our area. The forested areas of Beecroft and Cheltenham are what makes these suburbs so beautiful and such wonderful places in which to live.

2. It requires that heavy construction vehicles make their way through the local road system which is narrow, winding and hilly and completely unsuitable for heavy vehicles. The local roads are also unsuitable for access by large numbers of emergency vehicles. The noise from heavy vehicles in this pristine area would also be a problem for the local residents who have already suffered with the building of the M2 in 1995.

For these reasons, I strongly support on and off ramps from the M2 Motorway as the better option of the two under consideration.

Kind regards,

Kay Martyn
15 Hull Road,
BEECROFT.

Hello ,

Please dont wreck the Castle Howard Conservation REserve- Blackbutt Gully Forest. Please use the M2 access option.

Leone Pike

Submission to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure on the proposed North West Rail link
from Peter Correy, 35A Boronia Ave, Beecroft NSW 2119
Application Number SSI - 5100

Attention : Director Infrastructure Projects

First of all, I believe that the North West rail link is an important project and applaud both the progress to date and the community consultation.

However, I wish to object strongly to the proposal option associated with the Cheltenham Intermediate Services facility which would destroy part of the natural bush area with an access road as well as part of an established sporting complex when an alternative associated with use of the nearby M2 is available. In addition, if the access road option goes ahead, unless traffic lights with right turn and left turn arrows are installed at the junction of Beecroft Rd and Kirkham Street an influx of heavy vehicles will increase the problems associated with an intersection which is already a hazard for traffic and pedestrians, especially children attending nearby schools.

To-day, for the first time since the recent local information meeting I, with my wife and another concerned local, had an opportunity to make an up-to-date inspection of the proposed site. The thing that impacted me most was the proximity of the people working on the adjacent M2 ( separated from the apparent proposed location of the emergency access facility by a wire fence on almost level ground - as shown on the map at p 41 of the EIS ). There were massive trucks laden with road materials as well as equally massive other equipment. Clearly these trucks etc gained access and have been able to leave the area without further intrusion into the bush. It stands to reason that with appropriate co-operation with the M2 people, trucks etc associated with the Rail project could also enter and leave the proposed site without any new roads, further destruction of bush etc. When the rail line is operational, in the rare event of an emergency, the required vehicles ( be they buses, ambulances or fire ) could very easily get on to the M2 at Pennant Hills to access the site and equally easily with police assistance leave the site onto the M2 and head towards the city or use a new emergency U facility to turn around and exit at Pennant Hills . In other words, having walked over the area in question on an ordinary working day, I believe that the construction of an access/emergency road and the associated destruction of good quality bush are quite unnecessary and the M2 option identified in the EIS is clearly preferable.

Further consultation and release of more detailed information ( such as the outcome of discussions with the M2 principals ) are essential in connection with this part of the project.

Also, ( in connection with the same matter ) during the construction period, what are " light vehicles" and what level of such vehicles is expected to use the proposed access via Boronia Ave, Oaklands Ave and Murray Farm Rd and who will "police " the light traffic restriction? Further what improvements are proposed to this approach especially as where Oaklands becomes Castle Howard there is a dangerous almost blind curve and the rest of the road is very narrow and lacks a safe pedestrian pathway ( the oval adjacent to the site is regularly used by children and others) ?

Finally, as it appears that both options take over recreation facilities, what compensation/replacement provision is there for the loss of the netball courts and, if impacted, the nearby children's playground and the cricket nets ?

Thank you.

P.M.Correy
35A Boronia Ave, Beecroft 2119

Attention Cecilia,
We spoke at the Information evening at Epping about preserving the Sandstone Woodlands (dry sclerophyll ) bush bordered by Castle Howard, Kirkham Streets and the M2, which according to the Beecroft / Cheltenham Civic Trust, was gazetted as a reserve more than 100 years ago, giving it protection.

There is considerable merit in choosing the M2 EIS proposal on pages 40/41 of the document we were given.
Together with the reserve status,
To cut a swathe along and into enviably vital self regenerating viable blackbutt forest ( this species
germinates when a forest is opened up by a conflagration fire, beginning the successional growth allowing plants needing shade protection to germinate ) there is a fine stand of blackbutts here.

With my husband Peter whose email I endorse, and another Boronia Ave Bushcare team member we looked at the area suggested in the EIS, this morning. Cutting in along the bridge approach then leaving a margin of bush beside the M2 all the way down 400m, slices into good vegetation it isn't average. Then as a forest operates as an integrated whole that margin and the edges would be degraded. . The species in this proposed take out strip with banksias on rocky outcrops on the level before the land drops down to the M2 has another distinctive group of understory plants in this reserve, incredibly diverse in comparison to the slope grass cover only meters behind it Moving toward the netball courts, coming on the higher of the tracks over the rocks down the sloping path into the post hazard burn, wondrous savannah grasses which I haven't seen in our 40years, Lomatias flowering and seeding after fire, persooonas fruiting, christmas bushes jumping up,..... our Bushcare team in January spent 3 hours just identifying species either side of the track growing after the fire, very exciting. Now the Xanthoreas grass trees 7 near one another with the strongest centre flowering fruiting stems I've seen ever, the bush is wonderful!

There is so much happening in that relatively small area. The health of a forest is judged by the vitality of the insect population, the ants are very significant in this regard, there is evidence of much of their activity but it is the number of different varieties which matters even more. Importantly there is a critical size for a forest to operate viably otherwise it is just a remnant which degrades.

There is a telling example of deteriorating bush on the other side of the oval where a new car park was intended, bush cleared...... it didn't go ahead and the degradation is rampant. When you follow on, privet ( not controllable like yours in England ) balloon vine with vines festooning the trees and lower growth, seed clinging weeds, many seeds come in on shoes and tyres, it is extraordinary when a survey was done after soil on walking shoes and mud on cars and tyres were analysed, just how many seeds were collected and the surprise of those which were endemic to distant places.

Our Bushcare site is a remnant between Murray Road and Castle Howard, opposite the proposed access and egress road on your map. A steep slope with creek falling and green ground cover under high canopy, though just over the road from the reserve in question, it is very uninteresting in comparison.

I was glad to talk with you on the night and you gave me your card, but unfortunately the booklet with your card has been mislaid.

As the site on the other side of the oval is needing remediation, would that be suitable for the replacement of the frequently, daily used children's play equipment, the much used cricket nets and tennis practice wall?

With regard to the restoring the compacted paved road, adapting is always happening in the bush but with the loss of the road space canopy shade and the heavy compacting, restoring is unlikely in 50 years.

Best wishes, sincerely Maureen Correy

Attention: Director, Infrastructure Planning.

Dear Sir,
We would like to object, in the strongest possible terms, to the NWRL proposal to build an access road from Kirkham Street to the Emergency Access facility next to Cheltenham Oval.
We spent a great deal of time and effort to effect a re-alignment of the M2 motor way to the South to preserve pristine bushland and Cheltenham Oval. Both these community assets have been greatly improved since then and are now in jeopardy. This is totally unacceptable. In addition, local roads are not suitable for heavy vehicles.
It is essential that access to the facility is through the M2. The possibility of re-locating the facility next to Kirkham Street just north of the road bridge should be considered. This would allow the net ball courts to be retained, and existing pathway/cycle track to Cheltenham Oval to continue.

Yours faithfully

Michael and Lola Barrett

02 9875 3087

Dear Sir / Madam,

I write to request that the access by heavy trucks to the tunneling portion of the NWRL project should make use of on and off ramps from the M2 Motorway onto Beecroft Rd which is adjacent to the site.

I am completely opposed to the other option which is apparently to build a new access road to the bridge which connects Kirkham St. and Murray Farm Rd. Such a bridge would result in the destruction of a significant portion of what remains of the Blackbutt Gully bushland which lies to the North and South of Devlins Creek. I walk several times each month in this bushland with my 39 year old autistic son and any further destruction of it will significantly diminish the pleasure we both get from these walks.

I am a close-by resident living at 69 Chapman Ave Beecroft. Please confirm you have received my email either by responding or calling me on 0411 252 160.

Regards

Peter Palethorpe

Dear Sirs ,

Re: Application number SSI-5100.



My name is Ross Muller and my address is 1 Marron Place Beecroft 2119. ( 02 9871 1360)



The proposal to build the Cheltenham service facility access road through prime bushland which has been cared for by volunteers for at least 25 years is a terrible side effect of a proposal which I basically support . I have only been a Bushcare volunteer for about 12 years but understand the gut wrenching effect on volunteers , of the proposed access road from Kirkham Street to the site.

An access via the M2 utilising a slightly widened breakdown lane would be preferable during the construction phase and also in the event of an emergency and should greatly reduce the impact on prime bushland .



My recollection is that the M2 widening work will require the reservation of a vacant parking and access facility for trucks and heavy equipment in the unlikely event that some unexpected emergency or maintenance requirement necessitates access to the underside of the elevated section of the M2 above Devlin's Creek . Is it possible that this area located under the M2 could also be used for the Cheltenham Service Facility for the NW Rail Link ?



Sincerely,

Ross Muller

Application No. SSI-5100



Dear Sirs,



It is distressing to hear that there has been consideration given to a plan to destroy even more of the Castle Howard Conservation Reserve in order to allow access to spoilage trucks during the construction of the North West Rail Link. Considering the suburban location of this portion of bushland it is amazing that it is in such good condition, with majestic examples of blackbutt, angophora and turpentine trees and a healthy understory of banksia, geebung, acacias of various kinds, lomandra and even a trigger plant flowering today. No amount of `regeneration' is going to replace these significant trees.



Historically, there was an access road to the Cheltenham Oval close to the original bridge over Devlin's Creek on Castle Howard/Murray Farm roads but this was sliced away to construct the M2 Motorway and it would be a travesty to lose even more to a road which would be useful only while the rail is under construction and in the unlikely event of a train emergency. During construction the spoilage trucks would be using the narrow and unsuitable roads which provide an important link , east/west, within this suburb. We know what it is like living almost next door to a major construction site - the M2 has demonstrated that.



The only possible and sensible consideration is to use the M2 as an access point. What better time to widen the breakdown lane to allow access to the underground rail than while the motorway is itself a construction site?



Please give some consideration to our submissions.



Yours sincerely,



Rosemary Walker



39b Boronia Ave.

CHELTENHAM 2119

Attention: Director, Infrastructure Projects

Application No: SSI-5100 Northwest Rail Link

As a resident of Cherrybrook, I fully support the construction of Northwest Rail Link, to service the fastest growing area in Sydney for businesses and residence. The construction of this rail link, not only serve the current population, more importantly, will serve the future generation.

I would be grateful if you could consider the following suggestions.

1. I am pleased to see 4000 carparking spaces planned for a number of stations by 2019, I hope you consider these parking spaces to allow for expansion to cater for future population growth in the area. I feel the planned 4000 car parking spaces would not be sufficient at time of completion.

2. More bus services to cater for residence in the outlying area to the new train stations, such as Dural, Round Corner, Glenorie, Glenhaven, Kenthurst, Annangrove.

3. Traffic lights to replace the County/Shepherds Drive-New Line Road roundabout. This is one of the most hazardous roundabouts in North West area during peak hour traffic 7 days a week, accidents happen frequently.

regards
Yang-Tze Ong
20 Hibiscus Place
Cherrybrook 2126

Hi,
I am delighted that the North West Rail Link is finally becoming a reality! Thank you so much! Travel in this area gets terriblyy congested. Although we are very grateful for all the extra buses and the extra bus routes that have come about lately, as has been pointed out, bus travel on congested roads is also very slow.

As for the two options, it appears to me that the Marsden Park route allows for more options for extending the transport link in the future. I am sorry that some people are angry and upset that their properties may be affected, but it is imperative that transport infrastructure is built. Paying them a fair price for their properties may make them feel better about it.

At one of the public consultation sessions at Rouse Hill, I was relieved to hear from a courteous and knowledgeable man, that where the North West Rail Link currently stops on the plan, will not be the final end. I am glad that there are far-reaching plans for transport in the future. My main concern was that the link would just stop nearby at that would be the end of it. It is great that there are plans to join it to the Richmond line and beyond.

Please, don't let the negativity of the minority prevent this wonderful initiative, that will bring so much benefit, to so many, now and in the future, from going ahead.

God bless,
Wendy Bowring

20th May, 2012



Submission: EIS 1


Application No. (SSI-5100)


Attention: Director, Infrastructure Projects


Dear Sir /Madam



I rent an area of the dog grounds twice a week and am writing to voice my concerns over the proposed "temporary" road that is to be built directly alongside the Dog arena at the Castle Hill Showgrounds. I was informed that dirt, stone and dust filled trucks would be continuously (every 3 minutes) using this road, during the excavating process. My concerns are as follows:

That the noise from the trucks will scare and interfere with the training of some of the dogs.

That the noise would interfere with my students (humans) being able to here my instructions.

That the noise would interfere with the dogs ability to hear their handlers commands.

That the dust from the trucks could have a detrimental effect on the dog's sensitive noses and especially on any dog doing scent work.

That the dust from the trucks will have adverse allergic effect on many of the humans that attend the grounds.

That important shade tree's that we use during the heat of the day to keep our dogs cool, may be lost to accommodate the road.

Assuming there will be some sort of safety fence up to keep both humans and dogs safe, will there be a "gate" and crosswalk so there is access to the walkway that goes under the Showground Road and takes you to Fred Caterson Park?

I look forward to your response.



Marion Brand

Director, Infrastructure Projects



My name is Ray Jowett of 10 Fernleigh Close, Cherrybrook NSW 2126

Application Number SSI-5100



In principle I agree with the urgent need for the North West Rail Link, however, I do object to the location of the Cherrybrook station.



Issues with the current proposed location:

- Franklin Rd is the location of the Inala School for the mentally handicapped who have to walk between the home and the work location 200m further down the road and as such the extraordinary additional amount of traffic during the building phase will significantly increase the risk of an accident which could be potentially deadly.

- Franklin Rd is also the location of the Tangara School for Girls who have to walk down this road once the bus has dropped them off in Castle Hill Rd, again significantly increasing the possibility of a fatal accident. This area is already congested twice daily just with the normal school drop-off and pick-up.

- Franklin Rd is a road that is far too narrow for the additional load put on it by construction vehicles which would result in undue congestion for the local residents.

- Should the station be completed in its current proposed location, I have heard that potentially the car park would facilitate space for over 900 vehicles. It is my opinion that these vehicles would predominantly come along Franklin Rd to reach the station, along a stretch of road that is already congested with the drop-off and pick-up of school children twice a day.

- A car park of such proportions as indicated stretching to Kayla Way would effectively destroy the rural look and feel to the area.



Benefits of proposed new location:

- I feel that instead the station should be located at the top of the Cumberland State Forest, which by its very name is land that is owned by the State. This would have little impact on any residencies as there are none.

- In this location, the safety of the children attending both Tangara School and Inala School would be greatly improved whilst still being close enough to effectively serve these establishments.

- In this location, access can be gained from all directions by major roads far more capable of handling the additional transport loads.

- In this location, the construction noise would have far less impact upon the residents as there are fewer residents in this location.

- In this location, easier access can be gained for ingress and egress without having to turn across lanes of traffic. This would enable construction vehicles to approach from multiple directions thus sharing the vehicle load across several roads.

- In this location, once built, buses from both Castle Hill as well as from Dural converge on this common corner thus enabling more people to gain access to the trains with less walking between the nearest bus stop.

- In this location, there is more opportunity to effectively hide the large car park in the natural bush of the State Forest. Should the State continue with its proposed location then I would like to see every effort made to screen the car park from the road to preserve the look of the current neighbourhood.



I truly believe that the benefits of moving the station location slightly far outweigh those of keeping it as proposed.



Regards,



Ray Jowett

0417 449 067

Director, Infrastructure Projects
Names:_
K A Coble
H Coble
7 Boronia Avenue Beecroft, NSW 2119
As residents for 50 years at Boronia Avenue Beecroft, we object to the ` Northern Sydney Freight Corridor-Epping to Thornleigh Third Track.' and our reasons are in accordance with the BCCT's submission.
We believe the combined road/rail link between the M7 in Western Sydney and the F3 north of the Hawkwsbury River is needed to take freight and road traffic out of residential areas.
Signed
K A Coble (Life member of BCCT)

See attached

Your name and address; My name is Peter Duckmanton and I live at 8 Rosemount Ave , Pennant Hills NSW 2120 and I am the legal Guardian for my 89 year old mother who is the owner of 7 Castle Howard Rd Cheltenham NSW 2119
2. The name of your application;..The name of my application is.."Why not make your emergency access point at Cheltenham Oval a station!"


3. The application number (SSl-5100);..how can I have a number..if this is a submission, not an application? Do I need to apply for a application number too make a submission?


4. A brief statement on whether you support or object to the proposal; and Yes, I support the project


5. The reasons why you support or object to the proposal. Surely you want more than just support or objections if you are asking for submissions..surely you also want comments and suggestions!


I confirm that I have not made any political donations to any party in the past two years nor am I a member of any political party.


Dear sir or madam, I have spoken by phone previously to some of your staff by the matter which concerns me..and principally my mother, Mrs Elisabeth Joan Duckmanton, the owner of 7 Castle Howard Rd Cheltenham who is now resident in a nursing home in Galston.


--
Our concern is that the 4 houses between Castle Howard Rd and the proposed emergency access to the tunnels will be so severely affected by the process of contruction and the structure once built that these 4 properties will become almost unmarketable. 2 of of these houses have been in the same hands since the mid 60's and predate the building of the M2..and indeed the planning of the M2 for several decades. These property owners should be offered full and complete compensation for their loss of value. They have the M2 behind them,and the railway under them as well as the emergency access point beside them. This hardly seems fair! Perhaps these properties should be aquired by the contruction authority for a fair market value
before the proposed construction of the railway prior to the start of construcion?
When the M2 was being bult, the then Transport Minister, the Hon Bruce Baird canvassed the purchase of such affected properties but this process did not happen as these four properties were deemed to be too far from the M2 carriageway. With an access immediately behind them I think this possibility should be revisited. Recently the property was valued at land value only and we have had great trouble even renting the property due to the impact of noise fron the M2 on the amenity of the house. Imagine what further deleterious effect the railway emergency access will have on its value.

To our mind 7 Castle Howard Rd would made an idea access for contruction vehicles during the contruction of the emergency access point.

Also, with such a long stretch of tunnel between Epping and West Pennant Hills without a station..which seems rather strange..why not put a station in at the emergency access point?..after all the idea of public transport is to get as many ppl as possible to use it..and another station will certainly do that!

Yours sincerely,
Peter Duckmanton
Associate Professor

Please find attached Council's covering letter and submission.

Confirmation by return email is appreciated.

Regards

Lawrence Nagy
Manager, Traffic & Road Safety | Traffic & Road Safety | Hornsby Shire Council
p 02 9847 6524 | m 0438 103 137 | f 02 9847 6559
e [email protected] | w hornsby.nsw.gov.au | t twitter.com/HornsbyCouncil

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Council acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands of Hornsby Shire, the Darug and Guringai people.