Northern Beaches Hospital Concept & Stage 1

this hospital site is the wrong place, frenches forest is not the place for a hospital

The intersection of the proposed hospital is gridlocked in the AM and PM. There has always been a need for an overpass or underpass system to assist prior to the hospital proposal. For hospital emergency access a separate lane would be required leading to the under/over pass. The parkway remains a problem due to its single lane and flooding. It requires urgent upgrading by elevating the entire road and widening. As a retired Intensive Care Paramedic I have had many frustrating experiences with this area due to traffic concerns and flooding. This hospital is required to upgrade medical facilities for many reasons.

I fully support the new hospital being built in Frenchs Forest.
The building height should be a minimum 10 storeys to accommodate patient intake into the future as well as housing specialist facilities onsite. The population of the Northern Beaches is growing and will continue to increase at a fast pace. Why build a hospital with fewer storeys that will only suffice for a few years and then become outgrown due to increasing patient numbers.
Consideration however, should be given to the traffic congestion into and out of the hospital, particularly during peak periods. I travel on these roads regularly, so I feel an underpass with relevant entry and exit points should be built, similar to the one built in Homebush to accommodate traffic to and from Sydney Olympic Park.
Get the development right first time.

the traffic in the area is a carpark any time of the day,

it will change the landscape of the "forest area"

my concern is the short cuts people will take to arrive at the hospital that it will impact of the quiet streets in the surrounding area.

the residents of Frenchs Forest are attracted to live here for the peace that the area offers, I am sure NSH once was in suburbia and have a look at it now.

our properties will be devalued because of this decision

RE: Environmental Impact Statement, Appendix C:Traffic and Transport Assessment

The traffic assessment for Frenchs forest Road does not give a complete picture of traffic conditions at peak hours. Typically from around 7 am to 9:15 am traffic banks up bumper to bumper, in one or both directions for over a kilometre on either side of the intersection of Wakehurst Parkway and Frenchs Forest Road; into Allambie Road in the east and Adams Street in the west. The afternoon peak hour is not as bad because is doesn't coincide with the afternoon school pick up time. The Frenchs Forest Police Station is in Frenchs Forest Road and they should be able to provide additional information on traffic conditions. The morning hold ups are significantly less in school vacation times.

Any emergency access to the proposed hospital and access in general from Frenchs Forest Road should be carefully considered. Further traffic survey data is required and sadly traffic conditions will no doubt be significantly worse by the time the hospital is constructed.

RE: SSI 13_5982
Development: Northern Beaches Hospital, FRENCHS FOREST NSW 2086

To whom it may concern,
I am writing to you to express my deep concern at the proposed State Significant Infrastructure development of the proposed Northern Beaches Hospital at the corner of Warringah Road and Wakehurst Parkway, Frenchs Forest.

As a resident of Epping Drive, Frenchs Forest (a 6 minute walk from the proposed development site) for the past 46 years, I am extremely concerned at the lack of information that has been forthcoming from the state Government concerning this development. As a State Significant Infrastructure project, I would have thought the Government would have more precise details about the project, other than the proposed location of the site.

As one of the residents living in close proximity of this development, and who will be greatly affected by it, I believe I am well placed to comment on this development.

My concerns to this development are as follows:

1. Details
The Government has not provided any details of the hospital, other than the location of the site and that the building will be between 6-10 storeys high and have a footprint of 70,000sqm.

I believe for such a major infrastructure project, the Government should provide clearer details to enable residents to be better informed before any development takes place, as this development will affect the lives of all residents living in the vicinity.

It has been disappointing that such lack of detail has been provided by the Government and its Planning Department.

As a resident of 46 years, at absolutely no time has my view every been sought by Government concerning this new Level 5 hospital and how it would affect me and the residents of Frenchs Forest. Minister Hazard did organise two community meetings in early 2011, which were hastily put together and did not answer the concerns of residents. Since then, there has been no other consultation of the wider community from the Government. This is unacceptable.

2. Traffic
Over the past 20 years, and particularly following the development of the Whiplash Valley (which runs off Carnarvon Drive), Oxford Heights, parts of Belrose and Beacon Hill, and the Skyline commercial redevelopment, the traffic funnelled through Frenchs Forest using Warringah Road, Wakehurst Parkway, Forest Way, Frenchs Forest Road and residential backstreets, has increased by an unbelievable amount. This traffic, some of which directly passes my house, has choked the streets of Frenchs Forest and many of these suburban access streets more closely resemble Pitt or George Streets in the city, rather than quiet suburban streets.

The current volume of traffic using Warringah Road, Wakehurst Parkway and adjoining neighbourhood streets (such as Frenchs Forest Road, Rabbett Street and Adam Street) has recorded a massive increase in traffic.

Currently, the entire local area surrounding the proposed development site of the hospital, is entirely gridlocked during morning and afternoon peak hour times. The neighbourhood streets of Frenchs Forest Road, Rabbett Street and Adam Street were never built to accommodate the volume of traffic it currently receives.

I am unaware of the Government conducting audits on the number of cars and trucks currently using streets around the hospital development site, and how these additional vehicles will further impact traffic congestion - currently, during construction and post development. However, anecdotal reports suggest an increase of 10,000 vehicles per day as a direct result of the hospital to Frenchs Forest and surrounding streets. This figure is extraordinary and will negatively affect the lives of all residents living in the area surrounding the hospital. Please remember, this is a residential area!

The traffic congestion around these arterial and neighbourhood streets is absolutely disgraceful. Warringah Council is already aware of this. Council president Michael Regan has commented in public forums on numerous occasions that Frenchs Forest is buckling under increased traffic, and that he was aware of traffic delays caused as a result of this.

I was dismayed to read in the local community newspaper - The Manly Daily - that Frenchs Forest Road (East) was to be the main entrance for the hospital and as such, would carry the bulk of the traffic accessing the hospital. The neighbouring streets (Frenchs Forest Road, Naree Road, Rabbett Street and Adam Street) are only suburban residential streets, yet are expected to carry increased volumes of traffic.

Already, during peak hour times, there is a traffic queue extending all the way down Forest Way, into Adam Street, into Rabbett Street, into Frenchs Forest Road East, to Wakehurst Parkway. The traffic congestion is already so severe, as a result of drivers taking `short cuts' through my neighbourhood, that I am forced to leave for work around 6:30am to avoid the gridlock. This is no exaggeration and I invite any Planning or Government representatives to visit this area to see the traffic congestion for themselves.

Roads need to be improved; public transport needs to be improved; and traffic congestion needs to be removed from local roads that were never built or meant to service this volume of traffic.

With traffic gridlock as bad as it is around the proposed hospital site, I fear for ambulances being able to access the hospital during peak hour times.

3. Public transport
The public transport in the Frenchs Forest area is not good. In order for the expected 1,000 employees working at the hospital and visitors, public transport will need to be addressed before increased development in Frenchs Forest is allowed to proceed.

According to the Planning Department's own assessment, there are no plans to fix the current transport and traffic issues in Frenchs Forest. I draw the Planning Department's attention to its own report `ARUP - Frenchs Forest Specialised Centre - State Significant Site Study Preliminary Transport Assessment'.

In section 2.3.5 (p10) of this report, the following paragraph reads:
"The Metrobus network commenced in 2010 and will be gradually expanded across Sydney. The network provides more frequent buses and more direct services on a number of key routes. However, at this stage there are no plans for services covering the North East Subregion including the Frenchs Forest area."

It is clear by this paragraph that Frenchs Forest can expect no improvement to public transport if this new hospital proposal is allowed to proceed. With an additional 1,000 employees expected to service the hospital, along with visitor numbers, a co-ordinated public transport plan is essential.

The public transport in Frenchs Forest is currently not good, hence, most residents are highly reliant on their own cars.

The only public transport routes available in Frenchs Forest are for bus travel directly to the city (Forest Coach Lines), Chatswood (Forest Coach Lines) or Dee Why/Manly (State Transport). These services are not frequent and less so on the weekend.

Adequate public transport in the Frenchs Forest area still has a long way to go. This needs to be addressed before increased development is allowed to proceed.

4. Parking
I am concerned that, like most hospitals, employees and visitors to the hospital will use local streets in which to park their cars. This will only add to congestion of the adjoining streets. Indeed, these streets were built for local residential traffic, not for a major infrastructure development. This will mean that cars parked on either side of these streets will make it hard for residents to pass each other whilst driving. On-street parking will only add to increased car congestion in the area and make it dangerous for children crossing the road, particularly around the Forest High School.

5. Noise Pollution
The development of the hospital will create 3-4 years of substantial noise as a result of building works. And once the hospital is built, the increase in traffic will continue to contribute to the noise surrounding the hospital. The Government has not yet outlined how it will address these noise issues.

I am also concerned about any noise resulting from helicopters using the hospital. Local residents will have to endure daily and nightly use of the hospital by helicopters, not to mention the constant sound of ambulance sirens. What will be done to address these piercing sounds? The Government has provided no information.

6. Light pollution
The additional use of lights in and around the hospital (such as street lights etc) will substantially add to the light pollution of Frenchs Forest. This will most affect the residents surrounding the hospital. What will be done to address this? The Government has provided no information.

7. Loss of habitat
The site of the proposed hospital contains remnant Duffys Forest vegetation. This rare and endangered flora needs protection, not destruction. It is also the habitat of the rare Powerful Owl.

8. Character of area
The size of the proposed hospital development is not in keeping with the character of the local Frenchs Forest area. People live and have moved to this area because of its low density housing and leafy, bushland aspect. A hospital will change the very character of the area.

9. Privacy
I have enormous sympathy for the adjoining properties along Frenchs Forest Road that will be directly affected by this development. To suddenly have a high-impact hospital development on your very doorstep, overlooking your house, is most distressing. Existing residents are entitled to their privacy.

The residents of Frenchs Forest did not ask for this hospital development but it seems we are having it forced upon us. Once again, this decision has been made by Government employees from the Planning Department without consideration of residents or addressing their concerns.

10. Location
The location of the proposed hospital development is located at the busiest intersection on the northern beaches, which is already buckling under a massive increase in traffic. As a result, the Warringah Road/Wakehurst Parkway intersection is often gridlocked, and surrounding residential roads are choked with traffic, which drivers use as `short cuts'.

There have always been better options for a Northern Beaches Hospital. It is surprising the Government has not considered the land at the corner of Mona Vale Road and Forest Way, Belrose, as a possible site for this new hospital. This area is already zoned for light commercial, with Bunnings, SuperCentre and Panasonic already located there. Importantly, there is no existing residential development. This area is also well serviced by two good dual roads - Mona Vale Road and Forest Way. It would be less problematic for the Government to situate a hospital here - which is only about 7 minutes from the proposed hospital site - rather than its current proposed location which is already struggling with major traffic and infrastructure issues, and affects many residents, some of whom have been living in the area for over 70 years. The Belrose site represents another gateway to the Northern Beaches and provides a site that will be less intrusive for residents.


Summary
I ask that the Government carefully consider this development proposal and addresses the concerns of residents (as outlined above). I ask that the Government take the time to meet with local residents who will be directly affected by this flawed development proposal. I ask that the Government make a conscionable decision, not a political one.

Local residents are not against development but we are against over-development.

If this development is allowed to proceed, it's the local residents who will again have to cope with increased traffic to the area, loss of privacy, increased noise and light pollution, parking issues, and further loss to the character of the leafy suburb which they have made their homes.

Our area has already suffered from over-development and traffic congestion. Please, enough is enough.

I am a resident of Belrose for the past 35 years, during this period the gradual increase of traffic has been disruptive to my daily travel on Forestway Then Warringah Rd. both ways to Willoughby or City & Dee Why or Freshwater ( North )

During pick hour its not passable!

If the plan goes ahead it will only succeed if a dedicated bus lane is provided for faster Transport & better trafic management than one Rd. Warringah taking all the traffic. Some form of alternate relief road structure should be created for residents to by-pass & have a better access for Ambulances etc. on Warringah Rd.

Thanks

Loss of important natural habitat for threatened or endangered species.

Degraded public health service by downgrading financial support for Manly and Mona Vale hospitals in favor of a privatized hospital.

Degrading already poor traffic conditions due to increased traffic.

Northern Beaches Hospital SSI 5982
Submission.
Dear Sir/Madom

I fear this is the wrong site for the proposed Hospital and for many other reasons,
For example,
Major traffic congestions, destruction of endangered ecological community and a major regional wildlife corridor, Lack of suitable road crossings for pedestrians.This will be a private Hospital not public and Mona Vale and Manly are both public this could lead to the sell- off either Manly or Mona Vale public Hospitals.
My major concern is if this hospital is approved it will lead eventualy to the sell-off of Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals.
I feel it would be better for major upgrades for both Manly and Mona vale Hospitals.
Please consider the points mentioned above.

Dear Project Officers,
If the proposed Hospital in Frenchs Forest (across from where we live) is not a Public Hospital you'll have to keep both Manly and the ideally placed for extensions Mona Vale Hospitals.
Already we can see problems with the parking proposals - minimum 1000 spaces for staff and 300+ for visitors should be planned for.
If this is considered too many this site is probably too small.
It's not to late to abandon the FF idea, is it ?

I strongly object to the removal of indigenous bushland and tree canopy within 20m of the Wakehurst Parkway on the grounds that a) the remnant is Duffys Forest Endangered Ecological Community; b) it is the only remaining, and linked, indigenous habitat remnant left along the ridgetop of Warringah Rd in Warringah and fulfills a vital link between Manly and Narrabeen bushland remnants; c) provides an important canopy link to Garigal National Park in Bantry Bay; and, d) the remnant should be preserved as a natural asset to the community in terms of its significance as the original beauty of the ridgeline of Warringah Road which, if removed, will appear indistinguishable from, say, the Pacific Highway adjacent to Royal North Shore Hospital in Crows Nest.

Dear Sir/Madam


My major concern regarding the new hospital is the increased volume of traffic this large piece of infrastructure will cause. The roads surrounding the hospital are already choked with traffic - not only Wakehurst Parkway and Warringah Road; Forest Way has serious traffic issues that will have to be addressed as this road will bring people to the hospital from various suburbs located on Mona Vale Road - from the beaches to the lower north shore.


Simply building new and improved roads will not solve the problem. A decent public transport system has to be devised to enable patients and their families to access the hospital. Manly older people especially have to rely on public transport to get to hospital/Dr's appointments, as their eyesight, reflexes and general health deteriorates meaning they are no longer able to drive.

More money put into decent public transport systems will take cars off the road and mean less money will need to be spent on upgrading and building new roads and parking provisions.

As a regular visitor to the area where the hospital is planned, by bus and who has been trapped in many a traffic hold up in the area, the first issue is getting the traffic sorted. The Wakehurst Parkway and Warringah Road are always busy, and it does not help that the Wakehurst Parkway can be closed by flooding.

The roads cannot cope with the traffic that building a hospital on the site would cause, even if out of peak time. On many occasions I have seen the traffic backed up on Frenchs Forest Road to the High school from the intersection with Wakehurst Parkway.

Once built the traffic would be worse, with all the staff for a large hospital and retail outlets plus visitors and suppliers. I hope no one dies in a ambulance while waiting for entry to the hospital.

A large area of the site contains vegetation identified as Duffys Forest EC (Smith and Smith 2000) which is listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). We need to keep this area intact. An Environmental Offset in another area will NOT replace the one destroyed. Seed is stored in the soil and will be destroyed by the building works.

I request that Application 5982 be referred to Planning Assessment Committee.

I would like to have Mona Vale Hospital upgraded and kept.. Having chosen the wrong site for the new hospital at Frenchs Forest I believe land on both sides of the Parkway should be used and The High School relocated. My main concern with or without the hospital is transport with current blocked roads a disgrace to government forward planning. a tunnel under Warringah and Frenchs forest road for the Wakehurst Parkway should be a must. Also opening Aquatic drive to Wakehurst for left turn traffic only will help. Opening up Morgan Road has a lot of merit. raising the Parkway makes sense and please get on with dredging the lake, Our roads are to narrow especially with parking on both sides so restrict parking to one side and consider making some streets one way like Frenchs Forest west. Put more of related businesses which use suites in the High School grounds and shift high school to say area of Ralston for this Belrose north appears the area the government has earmarked for release
In general I believe a new hospital is better than renovating an old hospital. I believe the new hospital should contain all services in one area so you can walk /lift to different departments .What should be considered is new areas to provide affordable housing for workers and suitable senior living areas for our aging population. Investment in infrastructure for the future is poorly done in this state because of political pressures to win.

Dear NSW Planning & Infrastructure,

I oppose the State Significant Infrastructure Application No 5982 for a ten storey Northern Beaches Hospital concept proposal and logging of Frenchs Forest for the following reasons:

I ) DESTRUCTION OF LOCAL AMENITY.

· 10-storey building with overshadowing

· Eyesore on hilltop location

· Loss of bushland and its air cleaning function

· Air pollution from increased traffic

· Noise pollution from helicopter, ambulance and cars

· Overflow parking in residential streets

· Light pollution at night

2 ) TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PROBLEMS

· Warringah and Wakehurst Parkway Roads already at or beyond capacity

· Intersection at hospital site gridlocked every day

· Planned population increase on Northern Beaches (e.g. Warriewood) which will increase problems

· Substantial additional traffic (expert's estimate 10,000 per day!): ambulances, staff, patients, visitors, suppliers, waste...etc.

· No public transport planned

3 ) ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

· Destruction of irreplaceable wildlife corridors 1) between Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment (Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park) to Manly Dam and 2) Narrabeen Catchment and Forestville Park ( Garigal National Park)

· Destruction of pristine and regenerating forest, with unique diversity of flora

· Destruction of the largest southern stand of well-preserved Duffy's Forest Ecological Community

· Death for wildlife, e.g. swamp wallabies, sugar gliders, powerful owl

· I oppose `Environmental Offsets' on principle: The destruction of one pristine area of native forest and its wildlife cannot be remedied by preserving bushland in another unconnected location.

4 ) HEALTH SERVICES DISTRIBUTION

· Provision of public beds insufficient for future populations

· Privatising hospitals, focuses on profits, not provision of health care for all.

· Centralising for administrative convenience, does not provide health care where needed, e.g. Mona Vale and Manly.

· Loss of existing public community hospitals

· Proximity of new large hospital to existing Royal North Shore hospital

(duplication of services)

With this submission I request that this Development Application be referred to PAC (Planning Assessment Committee)

Your sincerley,
Ross Johnson

I oppose the State Significant Infrastructure Application No 5982 for a 10-storey Northern Beaches Hospital concept proposal and destruction of endangered forest:
1. DESTRUCTION OF LOCAL AMENITY
10-storey building with overshadowing
Eyesore on hilltop location
Loss of bushland and its air cleaning function
Air Pollution from helicopters, ambulances and cars
Overflow parking in residential streets
Light pollution at night

2. TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT PROBLEMS
Wakehurst Parkway and Warringah Road already at or beyondcapacity
Wakehurst Pparkway can be closed by flooding
Intersection at hospital site gridlocked every day
Population growth on Northern Beaches (eg Warriewood) will increase problems
Substantial additional traffic (expert's estimate 10,000 per day): ambulances, staff, patients, visitors, suppliers, waste disposal.....etc
No public transport planned

3. ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES
Destruction of irreplaceable wildlife corridors between Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment and (a) Manly Dam (b) Forestville Park (Garigal National Park)
Destruction of the largest southern stand of endangered Duffy's Forest Ecological Community, with unique diversity of flora
Loss of habitat for wildlife, eg: swamp wallabies, sugar gliders, powerful owls
Énvironmental Offsets': destruction of on unique area of native forest and wildlife cannot be remedied by preserving bushland in another unconnected location
4.HEALTH SERVICES DISTRIBUTION
Provision of public beds insufficient
Private hospitals focus on profits, not provision of health care for all
Centralising for administrative convenience does not provide health care where needed
Loss of existing public community hospitals at Mona Vale and Manly
Proximity of new 10-storey hospital to newly rebuilt Royal North Shore Hospital (duplication of services)

I request that Application 5982 be referred to PAC (Planning Assessment Committee)

I object to this proposal and request that you please reconsider for various reasons that include the following:

(i) Need for our local public hospitals to be retained, and not be lost to the private hospitals run for profit.

(ii) Lack of time-critical access:
Thousands fewer beach area residents from Manly to Palm Beach could to get to the new hospital in the critical first 20 minutes of an emergency, so more will die, or, maybe just suffer for longer.

(iii) Traffic:
Peak hours already occur 5 days each week in winter, and 7 days per week in summer, further the frustrating critical 20 minute window.

(iv) Irregular periods of blocked access from coast to French's Forest site:
Even when Wakehurst Parkway is completely closed by heavy rains, Mona Vale Hospital is still accessible.

(v) New site necessitates destruction of endangered ecological community and it would take a huge chunk out of a regional wildlife corridor that is already suffering from road widening and increased vehicular traffic.

(vi) Questionable value of land trade-off for loss of existing wildlife corridor link.
Admittedly, existing links appear extremely tenuous, but please consider:
Although some land trade-offs for wildlife may have limited advantage at some locations, breakup of existing wildlife corridors can be a disaster for native animals. Unlike us, they cannot carry food and water from place to place. To survive they must go to the trees, or to rotting logs, or find the flowering bushes in season, and find water.

What if you and each of your kids, and Grandma, had to cross a busy road to get from your refrigerator to your water supply, and then get past some savage dogs or tigers (cats) to find a safe place to sleep.

Would you please carefully re-evaluate this proposal ecologically.


(vii) Local amenity of quiet residential area will be degraded.

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to appeal the placement of the Northern Beaches Hospital in the Frenchs Forest site. While a hospital is needed on the Northern Beaches, the proposed site is disastrous for a number of reasons.

Firstly the current levels of traffic are already problematic on that stretch of the Warringah Road of road. To further increase traffic on these roads would be absolute poor mismanagement of them.

Secondly to create extra bypasses and roads to counteract the increased traffic adds immense costs to the new hospital budget. As a taxpayer I want my money being directed into the actual hospital not ending up in band-aid road solutions.

Thirdly there presumable needs to be helicopter access at the Frenchs Forest site. To have further aircraft noise in an well used flight path area will be more distressing noise pollution for it's local residents.

Fourthly there is a precious wildlife corridor that will never be addressed by the proposed bio-bank. It is not only inadequate in size, it also fails to take into account the wildlife displacement. As more and more Australian species are heading for the endangered lists, this point alone should have stopped the Frenchs Forest being the proposed site for the new hospital.

Fifthly the visual height at 10 stories is out of character for the area and will be aesthetically inappropriate for an area with so many low lying buildings.

Finally it is unfair to expect residents from Palm Beach to Narrabeen to be so far away from the proposed Frenchs Forest site. This placement will put unbelievable pressure on family, friends and ambulance services in moving the sick, young, elderly and critically ill patients and may even result in patient casualties.

Please reconsider the Frenchs Forest site on these critically important environmental, aesthetic, vehicle congestion, noise and air pollution, and humanitarian grounds. It would be fantastic to see better sites selected for the new northern beaches hospital. For example Mona Vale Hospital site has a large amount of space to build such a new hospital from scratch. It not only has adequate roads and helicopter access, there would be no wildlife corridors destroyed. Another place could be the State Government Bus Depot in Brookvale which is out growing it's current site and is perfectly placed for vehicle access. I implore the Department of Planning to find a better site for the new hospital, and provide the wildlife corridor in The Frenchs Forest sanctuary and protection.

The Northern Beaches Greens oppose the site designated for the new private hospital at French's Forest on the following grounds:
LOCATION;
The distance from the new hospital for residents living north of Mona Vale is not feasible. Half an hour is required to reach the hospital site when traffic conditions are good. I live in Avalon and make the trip on a daily basis. Therefore it is clear that this location will not meet the health needs of residents living on the northern beaches nor those on the western shores of Pittwater.
TRAFFIC;
Not enough planning or funds have been allocated to ensure that the hospital will be accessible during the conditions that regularly occur through the parkway. The roads have already exceeded their capacity level and flood during heavy rain. The cost of fixing the roads is a waste of tax payers funds and the increase to time spent in traffic, will make commuting prohibitive for northern beaches residents.
WASTE OF RESOURCES:
Unnecessary duplication of facilities that already exist at Royal North Shore and Mona Vale. The site at Mona Vale is excellent for future growth of the area and accessible for the increasing numbers of people moving into Warriewood Valley.The Mona Vale hospital site has potential for further expansion and easier helicopter access with less disruption. Mona Vale Road is scheduled for an upgrade to increase access from that direction.
ENVIRONMENT:
The destruction of the wildlife corridor is a significant loss to future generations as the link between Manly and the Narrabeen Lagoon catchment cannot be replaced by bio-banking. The diversity of fauna will decline and the valuable contribution of this exceptional natural bushland to air quality, being located so close to the centre of the city, will be lost forever.
VESTED INTEREST:
Property values in all likelihood will rise in the French's Forest area, especially as new NSW planning laws will allow developers to determine use and to push for rezoning. The fact that Prime Minister Abbott, (a former health minister), plus the NSW state planning minister Brad Hazzard, live in this electorate, could appear to be a conflict of interest as this hospital and the associated developments, may be to their own financial advantage. Two major hospitals located within 25 minutes of each other, would be the envy of many residents living in other parts of Sydney.

Residents of the northern beaches are strongly opposed to this location and to the state government's abdication of their responsibility to provide health services within reasonable reach. The Northern Beaches Greens urge you to reconsider the decision to build this hospital.
Yours sincerely Pru Wawn





ENVIRONMENT:
The location at French's Forest dissects the wildlife corridor that runs between Manly and Narrabeen Lagoon catchment. This is a valuable

I am against this development.
1.I am appalled that it is going to be primarily a private hospital. If we are to upgrade from Manly or Mona Vale hospital, the only justification can be a SIGNIFICANT increase in services to PUBLIC patients!!
What about the 40% of patients on the Northern Beaches that have no private health cover ? how will a very small percentage of hospital beds for public use help them?
I have had top medical and hospital cover for over 30 years, yet cannot afford treatment as a private patient - the gap fee is way too big - - so who will this new hospital benefit?
2. The surrounding roads and public utilities -transport etc could not cope. planning??
3. There is a very important wildlife corridor in the designated space. It provides one of the last remnant Duffy's Forest vegetation.
I live in this area, and do not want it turned into a money making machine for a very few, at the cost to the MANY!