Sydney CBD Light Rail

We are concerned about the proposals to relocate special events currently held along George and Alfred Street.

Volume 2 of the EIS, Technical Paper 1, Transport Operations Report states as follows:
To minimize the impact of CBD Special Events on CSELR operations, the Government should assess the capacity of events to be suitably relocated elsewhere in the CBD.

If the existing special events are relocated within the CBD without any overall reduction it is inevitable that some streets will be overburdened.

We are concerned already about the ever increasing number of special events involving road closures and parking restrictions in our part of the City Centre. These events inconvenience our residents, cause noise, and sometimes require us to make special security arrangements.

We believe that the burden of special events should be more widely spread among locations with good public transport and not so concentrated in the City Centre. While some special events, eg the ANZAC day parades, have a strong logical connection to the City Centre, many others do not.

Recommendations:
1. That City Centre special events be restricted to those with a strong logical connection.
2. That Transport for NSW conduct public consultation before allowing a new or relocated special event on any street in the City Centre.

Overall I am very much in favour of the CBD and South East Light Rail Project, however I believe that the proposed route via Devonshire St Surry Hills is a mistake. Devonshire Street is very narrow, and contains residential homes as well as small businesses. When trams are operating in that street, this will cause:
- noise to be amplified and impact the quality of life for residents and businesses,
- capacity of the line to be restricted to its opening level. Any opportunities to expand the line's capacity in future will be lost.

This route will also result in a major loss of parkland in Moore Park.

This approach seems short sited and I can't understand why alternative routes such as a Foveaux Street tunnel were ruled out.

My daughter is at Sydney Girls High School (SGHS).

I welcome the southeast lightrail but have some concerns and suggestions.

Anzac Parade/bus lanes/track crossing

With the light rail almost all SGHS students will daily cross to/from the light rail. This is present considerable hazards and risks to their safety. I request the construction of a dedicated pedestrian bridge which will cross from the west side of Anzac parade to the light rail station thus removing the need to cross busy roads and tracks.

Scheduling of Services

The EIS refers to very frequent services at peak times. The tram schedules should include frequent services at times needed by the students and the school community. This extends beyond travel for normal school hours, and should accommodate times for travel sport, performances, before and after school activities, etc. Capacity modelling must include analysis of the needs of the school and provide for it.

Construction Noise, Disruption, Dirt, Dust and Hazard

Construction will be near the High School and could impact adversely with Noise, Disruption, Dirt, Dust and Hazard. It is imperative that these are fully mitigated to the greatest extent possible by the terms of the proposal and any approval. This should include scheduling of potentially disruptive work and movement out of school and travel times (preferably in holidays), frequent mandatory liaison with the school and strict measures to minimise potentially adverse effects.

No Parkland loss: temporary and permanent

There should be no net loss of parkland area or function as a result of the Moore Park tunnel and tracks. That is any loos must be made up.
The school uses the Moore Park playing fields. If this is to be disrupted or limited during construction acceptable alternatives must be provided.

To whom it may concern,
My submission is in relation to the Surry Hills precinct. I generally support the light rail and the route that has been chosen, I do however have one suggestion.

I feel that a tram stop in East Surry Hills located at the site of the current Olivia gardens would be very beneficial. This stop would not only cater to the people of East Surry Hills but would also be highly utilised by those that live in East Redfern to the south and even by people from Waterloo who could ride their bikes on the Bourke St Cycleway, park at the tram stop and then catch the tram for the final leg of the journey into the city.

Thank you for your consideration.

Regards,

Dr Rob Mathews

Concerning proposed Royal Randwick Racecourse and Wansey Road Stops:

Please consider secure bicycle parking at these stops. Parking should be secure, well let, sufficient capacity for 50-100 bikes.

I can see both these stations will be collectors for residents living in North Randwick, including myself in Dangar Street.

As we may lose the 373, 377 bus services the walking distance to the Light Rail Stops will be another 2-3 blocks away. Bike parking will increase the customer bus and convenience of the light rail for North Randwick residents.

Thank you for your consideration.

As a resident of Wilshire Street I am in favour of Devonshire Street remaining two way for motor vehicles between Crown and Bourke Streets.
Wilshire Street is a one way street entering from Devonshire and exiting to Nickson Street.
I am in favour of traffic turning left or right into Wilshire Street from Devonshire Street.
I am also in favour of traffic turning left or right from Nickson Street into Devonshire Street.
This would allow residents in Wilshire Street access to their own street via motor vehicle and would help other vehicle users of Wilshire Street.
This would also help traffic flow in the area and would also direct more traffic towards Crown Street and away from the bike path in Bourke Street which is now smaller than Crown Street.
The loss of parking in Devonshire Street could be addressed by creating more parking spaces for residents in Surry Hills.

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have real concerns with the light rail proposal to Randwick for the following reasons:

1. Coogee residents will be disadvantaged and there are other solutions
a. At present commuters from Coogee can catch one bus into the city. However with the light rail, they will have to change over at Randwick and as everyone knows, having to change modes of transport adds a lot of extra time to a journey.

b. At present commuters from Coogee can get a seat all the way into the city. With the new light rail, once we get to Randwick, there will be long queues as we compete with everyone else trying to board the light rail and will most likely have to stand, lengthening the journey even more.

2. Traffic will become horrendous.

3. High Cross park is a significant historic site and it shouldn't be touched.

I suggest that the light rail continue to Coogee Beach and halve the buses. This will keep options open for commuters and not disadvantage the Coogee residents.

I also suggest going underground. It will save on costly purchasing of properties along the way and cut back of traffic jams.

Thank you.

I am concerned with how the Light Rail will affect the roadways upon which it is currently proposed to be built, particularly in Surry Hills along Devonshire Street, and along Anzac Parade.

I think Devonshire Street is not wide enough for a tramway, as it is currently used as a road access for residents and other users of the busy Surry Hills area.

On Anzac Parade, I am concerned that the proposed light rail would clog up the major roadway that is Anzac Parade, especially if multiple lanes will be taken from Anzac Parade to allow for the proposed light rail to be built. There will be many parking spaces lost, thus making it very difficult for the local businesses, as well as the frequent travellers to the area. Traffic would be terrible on Anzac Parade, which is already a main thoroughfare from the Eastern Suburbs to the city, and I am also concerned that there may be many accidents between the trams and cars or pedestrians. I am also concerned that cars not using Anzac Parade will be forced onto parallel, suburban streets which are currently not used by a lot of traffic, as they are currently quiet suburban streets.

Furthermore I am concerned that the travel times proposed by the Light Rail are not reasonable, and that it would take people longer to get into the city that they currently would if they caught the bus, especially as the proposed Light Rail from Kingsford or Randwick now has to go through Central as well. I have not seen any figures supporting the proposed travel times and how they have been calculated. Also, the proposed Light Rail would not be as comfortable, as the number of seats on the proposed trams will apparently be less than the number of seats currently on the buses.

I am also concerned that putting the tram tracks down Anzac Parade will detract from the area, as there are many sections where there are nice plants and trees in the middle of Anzac Parade which are proposed to be destroyed.

I am also concerned that the proposed interchanges at Kingsford and Randwick will destroy the local area. The Kingsford interchange is proposed to take out many parking spaces at Souths Juniors, while the Randwick interchange is proposed to destroy High Cross Park, which includes a war memorial.

I think this Light Rail has been poorly planned with little consultation with the local residents that will be most affected by it, prior to the launch of glossy brochures that I first saw in April 2013 which gave the impression that this infrastructure was a foregone conclusion. It seems to me that improvements to the bus network, if necessary, would serve the area better than a light rail.

Given it is going via Moore park I think it should be heavy rail - an extension of the eastern suburbs line looping back to the city then a turn-back created at Saint James Station (after some adjustments to City rail routes)

I would gratefully request a stop at Robertson Rd-Anzac Pde intersection.

Having viewed the eastern suburbs light rail proposal I must voice my strong objection to it. I object to the loss of parking and trees (over 700), and especially to the loss/reduction of High Cross Park which according to the plans will become a terminal station. The loss of green space is totally unacceptable for a billion dollar + project with debatable benefits. If a terminal station needs to be built why not pull down the building on the corner of High St and Belmore Rd which has no architectural merit what so ever. I find it appalling that past governments put in light rail then removed it in it's entirety and have now decided we need it back again.
Not only will High Cross Park be severely diminished but the avenue of trees in Anzac Parade will also go.
I believe bringing the light rail line down Wansey Avenue is ill conceived as the street is narrow, it would be better to bring the rail line down Botany St which is much wider.
However, I do not want my tax dollars spent on this project.

These beautiful & historic trees do not need to be removed -there are many alternative & feasible options that Light Rail design can embrace and should investigate.

They contribute to the community's wellbeing and make this area an enjoyable one to frequent. I grew up here in my teens and the large number of trees potentially being removed is a slight against the environment, the area and the people who live and pass through here.

I'm not anti-progress, merely anti-waste.

Please ensure Randwick remains liveable. The increase of pollution in the area with Saturday morning sports alone should flag the necessity of keeping our trees rooted.

I object on a number of grounds including:.
1. The system will not improve public transport use for the majority of users in that it will require a number of changes for a destination that was formerly on one vehicle.
2. the dedication of the roadway adjacent to the footpath along Anzac Parade to the light rail plays havoc with parking and setdown and will ruin local business by denying accessto customers.
3. It will destroy the historic precinct of High Cross Park, Randwick.

I have a few issues with the Light Rail:

1. I live in Maroubra and believe the Light Rail will be a massive inconvenience for myself and everyone living South of Kingsford roundabout. My understanding the bus we currently catch along Anzac Pde (example 393 and others) will now terminate at Kingsford roundabout which means we have to change over to the light rail. This is not acceptable especially for elderly people who are immobile or mothers with prams etc!!! Why not extend the light rail all the way to La Perouse?
2. My understanding is some bus routes will still operate along Anzac Pde between Kingsford and Moore Park. This means 2 lanes will be used for buses. With the light rail taking up 3 lanes and buses taking up the other 2 lanes, where do you expect the cars to drive especially during peak hour???
3. The light rail was originally proposed to accommodate the current residents of Randwick. It was never intended to support the extra 20,000 - 30,000 residents the UAP will be attracting. How do you propose the extra 20,000 - 30,000 residents from the UAP will travel around the area? The light rail cannot be expanded anymore and to make matters worse, you will now be removing 3 lanes of traffic in Kingsford as well because of the light rail!! I can only see complete mayhem on the roads especially once the UAP is up and running!!
4. The 1000 car spaces that will be lost along Anzac Pde, where will you find another 1000 new car spaces?
5. The light rail stops that will be in the middle of the road is asking for trouble. Pedestrian will first have to dodge the buses, cars and light rail to get to the stop in the middle of the road. How many pedestrians will have to be killed trying to cross the road to get access to the station before the State Government and transport department make major changes? Having safety campaigns will not change the way people think especially where they have been bought up where they constantly are running to catch the bus or the light rail etc when they are running late? (You can't teach an old dog, new tricks) this is just asking for trouble.

I ask the state government to re consider the Light Rail plans and do it properly be installing heavy rail underground. This will resolve all issues.


Thanks
Resident from Maroubra

This proposal is so full of negatives for the environment and REAL transport improvements to aid our existence. Our time travelling and the versatility of that travel (without having to change busses and wait for connections will only increase time pressures- you are not making a better system just a more complex one. You ore taking our trees ; our live style and environment . The negatives far outweigh any positives and the cost is outrageous misuse of tax payers money, This is not responsible fiscal or social governance.
Do not go ahead with this monster or your inadequacies will be too big to hide.

1. I work in the area - just off nickson st and this will greatly affect my travel to and from work. The train wont help me get to work unfortunately - and the impact on the community and parking will see this great suburb cut off and become greatly affected by conjested traffic

2. The community have not been consulted and I feel the government have not looked at the alternate route that PUSH have provided.

Surely there is another way to run the light rail without removing these magnificent trees and vital vegetation? Surveyors and engineers automatically look to the easiest way to construct, where as Council and State government should be considering what will be the most beneficial, lowest negative impact , visually appealing and best environmentally.

I support option 1b, as together with option 1a these two options will cause the least amount of impact to residents and will impact a Government owned car park. Why take another house when you can go through a car park.

I enthusiastically support better public transport but this EIS leaves a lot to be desired. Some key issues of concern to Coogee and surrounds include the following:

1. The EIS shows that High Cross Park as a park will disappear. The Park is where the trains will terminate and a terminus and associated rail lines will occupy much of the Park. The Park will also be the bus terminus and two sides will be carved out to serve the dozens of buses and their passengers as they transfer to and from the rail. What little of the Park remains will be concreted to facilitate the transit pedestrian usage.

The majority of trees, many of which are on the Randwick Significant Tree register, will go. The lawns and garden beds will go. The only public green space in this built up part of Randwick will disappear. The peace and quiet will go.

The War Memorial will stay but surrounded by concrete. Who knows what will happen on signficant days when solemn Services coincide with hundreds of people scrambling from and to buses/trains let alone the disruption of trains coming and going every 3 minutes.
High Cross Park is a Heritage Conservation area. The citation for this reads "High Cross Park has aesthetic significance as one of Randwicks major urban areas". This part of the Randwick Ridge was "one of the first parts of the City to be developed, and was historically the most important". High Cross ''is widely recognised by the community as a central and identifying element of Randwick's historical landscape. High Cross Reserve was an early focal point for social gatherings in the village". [High Cross: Heritage Conservation Area - Council website]
With some new thinking it must be possible to relocate the terminus closer to the hospital or, by rerouting the line, in some other location all together.

2. Avoca Street will become a parking lot with the trains automatically setting the lights to green every 3 minutes either way blocking traffic along Avoca St from from Belmore Rd.

3. Local bus routes from Coogee and Maroubra will either cease (373, 376, M50) or terminate at the Park (377).

4. The EIS shows no Rail stop outside the POW/Sydney Childrens hospitals! Currently buses from and to many destinations stop right outside the hospital entrances. With the Rail this will not be the case. Patients, visitors and staff will have to make their way up/down High St, across Avoca Street to the Park.

5. 700 mature trees will go - Anzac Pde, Allison Rd and High Cross Park etc etc.

6. 1000 parking spots will go including all of those along Anzac Pde.

7. The distance between the stops is much greater than the current bus stop disadvantaging the elderly, families (parents with prams) and the incapacitated. Furthermore there is inadequate or no parking at stops.

Thank you for seriously considering these objections and re-thinking the current plan for the Light Rail accordingly.

kind regards
Giovanna Zingarelli

I have studied the light rail in detail - i have oneo comment to make about the route and the impacts on nearby residents.

1. Wansey Rd - 2 lanes of traffic and no parking!! it would be cruel to subject them to that outcome. Surely 1 lane of traffic and one lane of parking is possible? the best outcome if possible of course would be to move the light rail into the racecourse.

i do see other serious impacts - such as the impact on High Cross Reserve at Randwick - but i do not see an easy solution to that problem - whereas the Wansey Rd solution - which will improve the local parking situation - and the amenity of Wansey Rd residents, is very simple.