Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1

As a passenger who uses the existing Carlingford heavy rail I can only express my complete non support of your project, your proposal seems to be a waste of public funds that could be better used on other projects, such as hospitals etc.

Some of the reasons are as follows,

1. You will remove the daily direct heavy rail service from
Carlingford to Central with a time consuming around
about trip to Parramatta, this seems to be a rather inept
idea given the recent housing developments in the area.

2. A few years the existing line was upgraded with concrete
sleepers, so public money has already been spent on
improving the line.

3. I would think that there are not many places in the world
that world rip out a heavy rail line to replace it with a tram
that would guarantee the passengers a longer transit time
and then be forced to transfer to already crowed trains at
Parramatta.

4. From the looks of your projects it would appear that the
passenger who now use the Carlingford train have NOT
been consulted, it would be a good idea if you did a survey
of them asking for their imput.

5. If you do a survey the question to be asked should be " Do
you want your heavy rail service removed and replaced
with a tram that will definately take longer in both transit
time and distance.

I await your reply.



Chris Sattler

I am raising my strongest objections to the demolition of the historic Royal Oak Hotel at the intersection of Church and Ross Streets, North Parramatta.
There has been a hotel on this site since the earliest settlement of Parramatta. The original licensee, John Tunks was the son of a convict woman, Sarah Lyons(Second Fleet) and a marine, William Tunks who arrived with Captain Arthur Phillip on the Sirius, in 1788. The historical significance is obvious with the original construction occurring during some of the most tumultuous events of the early colony. A drawing of the pub in its original construction is available and shows the fashions, and transports of the day. Photographs of the current construction date from 1864. The link between the pub and the associated stables will be destroyed with any demolition of the Royal Oak.
As one of only two remaining pre 1850 hotels in Parramatta it should be preserved at all cost.The Hotel as it stands today is on the original footprint and is substantially the same as the construction in1864 photograph with only the addition of a surrounding awning and upper facade.
The Royal Oak is listed as of 'local significance' together with the adjoining stables(Section 9.1 p.145). It is ambiguous on p.137 whether both are listed or one as a potential archaeological site. Both buildings should be retained for future generations to understand the relationship between the hotel and the stables.
The building has Associative significance as it is connected to Norfolk House a large stone double storey construction currently used by Timmins, Funeral Directors an indication of the thirst of the settlement as well as the business acumen of John Tunks.
The social significance of the pub is apparent as even in recent generations being a favoured pub for Parramatta supporters to meet before a game and celebrate or commiserate after the event.
Sadly most of the nineteenth century buildings have been either demolished or hidden from view through modern facades in the area of Church Street between Lennox Bridge and the intersection of Church Street and Pennant Hills Road. It is becoming more and more difficult to see the unique historical landmarks of Parramatta. What has occurred and is occurring is 'Death by a thousand cuts'; an incremental loss of our heritage. The demolition of the Royal Oak would be another part of the process.
I urgently request that you reconsider the proposed demolition of the Royal Oak Hotel and reconsider O'Connell Street then into George Street for the Light Rail route.

I like see the rail line retain between Clyde and Camelia. For train between either Strathfield or Lidcombe Olympic to Camelia for connection intechange light rail.. Important issue to raise

I like to see the light rail extended from Carlingford to Macquarie Park via Epping, Macquarie University and Macquarie Centre. Also to reuse the Sandown line from Camelia interchange to Strathfield via Newington and Olympic Park.

Yours Sincerely,
Paul Vonwiller

NSW Department of Planning

Re: Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1
SSI 17_8285

I am writing in regards to the Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1 EIS that is currently on exhibition. I OBJECT to this project for the following reasons:

1. The Greater Parramatta Area is well served by existing heavy rail and bus networks. Westmead Precinct is already served by a heavy rail connection, with Westmead Hospital and the Children's Hospital at Westmead accessible on foot in 5 and 10 minutes respectively. Additionally, Westmead is well served by the bus service from Parramatta. The light rail also duplicates the already functional pre-existing heavy rail route from Clyde to Carlingford.

2. The proposed Light Rail project will have a deleterious impact on the heritage values of the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct (identified in the EIS as the "Cumberland District Hospital Precinct"). This unique Precinct carries within it highly significant heritage values associated with indigenous and colonial Australia. The EIS acknowledges that the Light Rail project will have anywhere between a "minor" to "high" adverse effect on the Precinct. This is in addition to the already egregious heritage impacts on the Precinct resulting from Urban Growth's Parramatta North Urban Transformation (PNUT) Project.

3. Whilst the EIS adopts a conservative stance in its assumption that the Parramatta Female Factory site will attain National Heritage Listing, what is not explored is the potential impact on a World Heritage Listing. Passing within metres to the north of the Parramatta Female Factory Site (the proposed "Heritage Core" of the Precinct under Urban Growth's PNUT DA), this Light Rail route could place in serious jeopardy any claim on Australia's first World Heritage Listing since 2011.

4. This Project will, like the South-East Light Rail Project, result in the wholesale destruction of large swathes of mature native and introduced trees, some of which date to the colonial era. This is unacceptable, given the urban heat island effect, which has been well established in Western Sydney, and will significantly reduce the aesthetics and amenity of North Parramatta.

5. Finally, the route of the proposed Light Rail project south down Church Street will result in the destruction of The Royal Oak Hotel. This Hotel is one of the oldest in Australia, and is a site of significant colonial importance. Additionally, the EIS is unable to fully mitigate against construction damage to the Stables at the rear of the Hotel.

For these reasons, I object to the Parramatta Light Rail project.

Kind regards








June M Bullivant OAM Secretary

My comments cover 2 areas: 1) Pennant Hills Road Bridge, and 2) Traffic changes in Parramatta North

1) Rather than being seen as a constraint, now is a golden opportunity to replace this bridge such that it can fit two light rail tracks, which you'll need in the future anyway when the line hopefully gets extended further. The previous Parramatta Rail Link EIS proposed to replace this bridge to fit the two train tracks. A major benefit identified at the time was that a replacement bridge would also widen the road above and allow the extension of the right turn bay from Pennant Hills Rd to Jenkins Rd. In peak periods, the queues there extend into the right lane and is a major cause of congestion flowing back to the speed camera. The congestion on the right lane means drivers often weave out to the left lane to avoid being delayed and I myself have experienced many close calls for decades. This can only guess worst given the amount of growth in the area with all the new residential developments in Carlingford. Doing it now would mean avoiding disruption to light rail services in the future, and solves 2 problems with one solution. Rather than a silo mentality with just restricting to this being a light rail infrastructure project, here's an opportunity to solve a main road problem as well. If it is a case of cost (including potential need for acquisition), you should actively work with RMS to further this opportunity. Furthermore, the Pennant Hills Rd has a widening scheme here for a 6 lane highway, so a widened bridge would help start contributing towards it long term plan.

2) The funneling of traffic down O'Connell/Barney/Board St, the many new traffic lights and the significant removal of parking nearby will completely change the environment of those streets into a main road. This discounts the urban amenity improvements that comes in other parts of the corridor. What noise or amenity improvements are on offer for those living on O'Connell, and to replace the parking places? Spaces are hard to find already in the area at night, and with new parking restrictions in the area that comes with the LR stop during the day, parking will be difficult.

NSW Department of Planning

Re: Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1
SSI 17_8285

I am writing in regards to the Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1 EIS that is currently on exhibition. I OBJECT to this project for the following reasons:

1. The Greater Parramatta Area is well served by existing heavy rail and bus networks. Westmead Precinct is already served by a heavy rail connection, with Westmead Hospital and the Children's Hospital at Westmead accessible on foot in 5 and 10 minutes respectively. Additionally, Westmead is well served by the bus service from Parramatta. The light rail also duplicates the already functional pre-existing heavy rail route from Clyde to Carlingford.

2. The proposed Light Rail project will have a deleterious impact on the heritage values of the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct (identified in the EIS as the "Cumberland District Hospital Precinct"). This unique Precinct carries within it highly significant heritage values associated with indigenous and colonial Australia. The EIS acknowledges that the Light Rail project will have anywhere between a "minor" to "high" adverse effect on the Precinct. This is in addition to the already egregious heritage impacts on the Precinct resulting from Urban Growth's Parramatta North Urban Transformation (PNUT) Project.

3. Whilst the EIS adopts a conservative stance in its assumption that the Parramatta Female Factory site will attain National Heritage Listing, what is not explored is the potential impact on a World Heritage Listing. Passing within metres to the north of the Parramatta Female Factory Site (the proposed "Heritage Core" of the Precinct under Urban Growth's PNUT DA), this Light Rail route could place in serious jeopardy any claim on Australia's first World Heritage Listing since 2011.

4. This Project will, like the South-East Light Rail Project, result in the wholesale destruction of large swathes of mature native and introduced trees, some of which date to the colonial era. This is unacceptable, given the urban heat island effect, which has been well established in Western Sydney, and will significantly reduce the aesthetics and amenity of North Parramatta.

5. Finally, the route of the proposed Light Rail project south down Church Street will result in the destruction of The Royal Oak Hotel. This Hotel is one of the oldest in Australia, and is a site of significant colonial importance. Additionally, the EIS is unable to fully mitigate against construction damage to the Stables at the rear of the Hotel.

For these reasons, I object to the Parramatta Light Rail project.

Kind regards,

Sharyn vogels.

My concerns with preferred route are
-the current railway is a route to the city, the light rail won't be as it will be slower to Parramatta and further to the city when you get to Parramatta.
-the light rail needs to go to Epping and not terminate at Carlingford as Epping is a main rail and bus hub. Carlingford Station is not near Carlingford Court or anything else.
-the 546 & 549 are poor bus services that do not run late into the evenings and are sparse on the weekends. They can't maintain peak hour timetables due to traffic jams on Jenkins Rd and North Rocks Rd at their junctions with Pennant Hills Rd.
-if the Epping Carlingford section is not built now it will never be built. Unless a corridor is allocated the hi rise developments could make a route impossible.

As an engineer I believe the line could be constructed using existing roads with a tunnel under Pennant Hills Rd being the only very expensive, section.
Suggest route
Carlingford Station, Boundary Rd, right into Post Office St, tunnel under Pennant Hills Rd to Keeler St, right into Pennant Parade, left into Willoughby St, right into Ryde St, left into Boronia Ave, maybe through Boronia Park staying fully to the south side on the other side of the drains or over the drains, under Rawson St with an underground walkway to the lower level of Epping Railway. Alternatively use Bridge St and Rawson St.
Other routes are just as possible such as Moseley St and going under or through the lower level of the carpark at Carlingford Court and using Rembrant St, Dunrossil Ave, Pennant Parade and Ray Rd to get to Epping.
I don't think using Carlingford Rd would be an option as it does not have spare capacity.
-light rail has more stops than heavy rail, but there are no extra stops planned between Carlingford and Camellia

I support the Parramatta light rail project. My interest concerns the CBD precinct or more to the point the Eat Street area. I would like to propose that a glass roof structure should be built over the roadway between the restaurants that line Church Street from the area south of Lennox Bridge to Phillip Street or even George Street. This would allow pedestrians and diners to be able to access both sides of the street in all weather conditions. I believe that such a structure would enhance and activate this precinct and provide a more enjoyable dining area not only for locals but for tourists and people utilising the light rail. With the light rail running down the centre of the street, I believe the restaurants can extend out around 3 or 4 metres from the building shoreline. The pedestrian area being the space between the restaurants and the light rail.The glass roofed structure could be illuminated wiith LED lighting to bring this area to life. This part of Parrramatta would become a well patronised stop on the light rail system. Could you imagine dining with family and friends in such an inviting space? To appreciate what this precinct would look like, please google 'Rotorua Eat Street' images.

Thank you for taking a few moments of your time to digest my thoughts and wishes for this important part of this very important light rail infrastructure project.

Regards,
Ian Williamson

HI,

My house backs onto the new light rail and the current Dundas train station at the moment. My address is 57 Kissing Point Rd Dundas. With the new platform to be built closer to my back yard, and the fact that the house is lower than the ground level,I am concerned about the privacy of my back yard and my house.

Ideally, there would be some barrier established between the platform and my house to make sure the passengers and people waiting on the platform would not be able to see my back yard and the house over the fence. I am happy to explore other alternative with the planning department to help ensure the privacy of the residents living along the corridor.

i look forward to usung the light rail every day.
please complete this vital piece of public transport as soon as possible.

The proposed route appears to have been hastily conceived without proper planning or consultation. The conversion of the Carlingford heavy rail line to light rail is a backwards step that will deny the future potential that this route has as a significant feeder connection to the heavy rail network. The route along Church Street will adversely impact business along the route and cause negative visual impact to this significant thoroughfare. What compensation will be available to affected businesses? The routing of the light rail through the high value world significant Fleet Street heritage precinct will greatly diminish the unique cultural values and potential of this site.
Light rail is needed for Parramatta but the proposed route needs a complete rethink for a better outcome. I object to the proposed route.

I am concerned about loss of mature trees along the light rail route, especially in the section from the Parramatta River through to Carlingford. There are a number of tall trees that are likely to be removed for the expanded line.
This green corridor and area is home to many species such as Powerful Owls who rely on mature trees for their nesting hollows. I have also spotted native bee hives and other species such as sacred kingfishers.
Whilst I can see there is a replacement plan in place I would also propose the involvement of the Hollows As Home program, Dr John Martin 02 9231 8058, [email protected] to facilitate replacement hollows in trees that have been kept where possible, nesting boxes and other habitat support.

I would also like to see resources devoted to improving the waterway around Vineyard Creek. This area especially from Parramatta River to Victoria road has been chronically neglected and with remediation could be greatly improved and the Light Rail crosses this creek near the WSU campus.

Please extend the line to connect to Epping Station. This way the new light rail can be used by people leaving in Epping and all along the northern line.

This will decrease the need for people having to drive along Pennant Hills Road to get to Parramatta as they can use the Northern Line and connect to the light rail.

Whilst I fully support government expenditure on public transport initiatives such as the Parramatta Light Rail Project, my concerns arise when the plans do not seem to be fully integrated into the way the public will use the new infrastructure. As a result infrastructure projects can have the potential of becoming extremely expensive white elephants that end up causing more problems than they solve.

My concerns in this instance are centered on the following for my local station:-

1. Lack of Car Parking at the Carlingford station - Not everyone can be fortunate enough to live within easy walking distance of public transport and as a result will need to drive to the station. Due to the proposed location of the station and a resulting serious shortage of any suitable street parking opportunities, passengers will be forced to park a considerable distance away from the station once again clogging up quiet suburban streets with parked cars just as has happened at the M2 Oakes Rd Bus interchange and all the streets surrounding Epping Train Station. The underutilized grassed area on the northern end of the station should be partially occupied by a commuter car park of adequate size to lessen the street parking congestion. Sufficient grassed open space can still exist for the surrounding residential units/ Scout Hall and Childcare center with suitable delineation efforts for pedestrian safety.

2. As longtime residents of the area, the current heavy rail service was always a compromised service of limited appeal with the train terminating at Carlingford. The Light Rail stage 1 solution should not fall into the same trap and should build the connection to Epping as part of stage 1 to ensure increased patronage. To expect users to travel 20 mins to Parramatta via Light Rail then change for a 30 min express train to the city (50 min total trip) offers no appeal as it is faster to drive 5 minutes to the M2 Oakes Rd Bus Interchange with a 20 minute trip to the city (less than 30 min total trip) or even drive 10 mins to Epping and catch the train with a 30 min express service. Whilst there will be some patronage for users to travel to Parramatta/Westmead a significant portion will be wanting to travel east and will not bother trying to use this service. By extending the service in stage 1 to Epping, the service can then be fully integrated with the Heavy rail and North West Metro creating viable northwest/west, north/west and west/east transport routes thereby eliminating the need for traveler's to travel into Strathfield. Without this option then I expect that commuter usage will fall far short of any modelling because of the lack of consideration of integration with the other transport modes.

Conscious initial studies are being undertaken to determine the feasibility of connecting Carlingford to Epping. Integrating Light Rail to other transport modes is a key aim of the Parramatta Light Rail project. Carlingford is currently a dead end in terms ot other transport modes apart from the bus network. Taking the bus from Carlingford to Epping during peak or vice versa is a challenge currently and travel time will continue to blow out as density in the area increases in the short to medium term.

Terminating the line at Carlginfod Court or Carlingord Village would be a preferred option for many Epping/Carlingford Residents.

I understand the EIS outlines that there will be dual track from Westmead to the Carlingford Bridge, Pennant Hills Road. Unsure why a "choke point" would be created intentionally at the Carlingford Bridge. To ensure a Stage 2 to Epping is attractive for a future government - ensuring dual track all the way to the existing Carlingford Station is critical and preferably onto Carlingford Court or Carlingford Village.

I suggest the following :
1.
As per the EIS , Pennant Hills Road crossing bridge just before the Carlingford station will continue to be narrow to allow only single lane light rail. This will be a bottle neck whenever there is a problem with this lane. This has potential to bring standstill the whole network. This Pennant Hills Road bridge should be widened to accommodate two lanes. This extra expense is like a insurance premium whose benefit and importance will be realised only when we have problem.
Therefore I suggest to widen this bridge to accommodate two lanes instead of single lane.
2.
The route should not terminate at Carlingford station but should be extended and terminated to Carlingford Court. The probability of number of passengers getting in/out at Carlingford Court could be double than the passengers at Carlingford station.Therefore I suggest that the route should be extended up to Carlingford Court in the first place.
3. Eventually the light rail should be extended to Epping Station since Carlingford to Epping is the missing link for the commuters traveling from Western Sydney to link to Epping. Currently commuters from Western Sydney travel up to Straithfield and then change to come to Epping wasting their valuable time.
Therefore I suggest to extend the network up to Epping.

NSW Department of Planning

Re: Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1
SSI 17_8285

I am writing in regards to the Parramatta Light Rail - Stage 1 EIS that is currently on exhibition. I OBJECT to this project for the following reasons:

1. The Greater Parramatta Area is well served by existing heavy rail and bus networks. Westmead Precinct is already served by a heavy rail connection, with Westmead Hospital and the Children's Hospital at Westmead accessible on foot in 5 and 10 minutes respectively. Additionally, Westmead is well served by the bus service from Parramatta. The light rail also duplicates the already functional pre-existing heavy rail route from Clyde to Carlingford.

2. The proposed Light Rail project will have a deleterious impact on the heritage values of the Fleet Street Heritage Precinct (identified in the EIS as the "Cumberland District Hospital Precinct"). This unique Precinct carries within it highly significant heritage values associated with indigenous and colonial Australia. The EIS acknowledges that the Light Rail project will have anywhere between a "minor" to "high" adverse effect on the Precinct. This is in addition to the already egregious heritage impacts on the Precinct resulting from Urban Growth's Parramatta North Urban Transformation (PNUT) Project.

3. Whilst the EIS adopts a conservative stance in its assumption that the Parramatta Female Factory site will attain National Heritage Listing, what is not explored is the potential impact on a World Heritage Listing. Passing within metres to the north of the Parramatta Female Factory Site (the proposed "Heritage Core" of the Precinct under Urban Growth's PNUT DA), this Light Rail route could place in serious jeopardy any claim on Australia's first World Heritage Listing since 2011.

4. This Project will, like the South-East Light Rail Project, result in the wholesale destruction of large swathes of mature native and introduced trees, some of which date to the colonial era. This is unacceptable, given the urban heat island effect, which has been well established in Western Sydney, and will significantly reduce the aesthetics and amenity of North Parramatta.

5. Finally, the route of the proposed Light Rail project south down Church Street will result in the destruction of THE ROYAL OAK HOTEL. This Hotel is one of the oldest in Australia (approximately 200 YEARS OLD), and is a site of significant colonial importance. Additionally, the EIS is unable to fully mitigate against construction damage to the Stables at the rear of the Hotel.

For these reasons, I STRONGLY OBJECT to the Parramatta Light Rail project.

Kind regards

(Mrs) Lorraine Grindrod

Hi Light Rail Planners,

Due to more frequent light rail service compared to trains planned, I am a little concerned about the privacy of our house which is along the rail corridor.

I strongly hope there will be more taller plants or trees along the corridor to protect the privacy of the residents along the corridor, especially around the existing Leamington Rd pedestrian under rail crossing as the tracks are significantly above the ground and overlooking the neighbourhood and there are not a lot of plants to protect privacy at the moment.

Kind Regards
Yang Xia
0434 388 455

Dear Sir/ Madam,
I wish to express my view on the route of the Proposed Parramatta Light Rail. My main concern is the route down Church St. which takes it over the heritage LENNOX BRIDGE.
Please do not spoil the appearance of our very special Heritage LENNOX BRIDGE with the light rail as it requires the erection of ugly stanchions and wires in full view.
A route down O'Connell St. instead of Church St. would negate the use of LENNOX BRIDGE.
As a Parramatta City resident for eighty years and a ninth generation resident who have resided in the Parramatta area I feel it is my duty to express my view to keeping Parramatta a beautiful Heritage City as my nine generation of families intended.
E. B. Barnes (nee Mobbs)