Sydney Metro - Chatswood to Sydenham

Please see uploaded detailed submission:
This submission objects strongly to Chatswood Option 3 (CO3), while expressing qualified support for the Sydney Metro project, preferably St Leonards Option 2. However, in "Your view on the application", there are only 3 choices.

Please see the attached submission.

Please see the uploaded pdf. I object on the grounds that no alternative to the use of Blues Point Reserve as a temporary retrieval point for the TBM on the grounds that no alternative solutions have been proposed, failure to mitigate impact, failure to assess true cost to the community,

Lesley Watson
126 Lord Street,
Newtown, NSW, 2042.
26 June 2016
Attention: Director, Infrastructure Projects
Submission on EIS Application no. SSI 15_7400
Dear Sir or Madam,
After viewing the EIS documents online and speaking to expert members of the project team at the community information session at the Concordia Club, Tempe, I would like to lodge an objection to this project.
I object to the building of the City & Southwest Metro project on the following grounds:
* I have concerns about damage to residential properties in Lord Street, especially those in close proximity to the proposed dive site, where the tunnels come up to the surface. The majority of houses in Lord Street, which the twin tunnels will be constructed under, are over 100 years old. The soil is extremely reactive clay, and there is substantial movement of foundations during dry and wet weather. As to date no geotechnical engineering tests have been conducted in the area to determine any risks that may be posed. While I have been reassured that there is contingency fund to cover damage, I would like more information about this and in writing.

* The twin tunnels are being constructed under a known aquifer and a high water table in Lord Street, particularly problematic on the western end of Lord Street, between John Street and Edgeware Road. I have concerns that this may be disturbed by the tunnelling, which in turn may create subsidence problems for residential housing above the tunnel sites.

* The tunnels will also be constructed underneath water pipes and sewer pipes which are over 100 years old. Further information and investigations will need to be undertaken on this infrastructure before any tunnelling occurs.

* The new proposed Bankstown line excludes our two local, heavily used railway stations of St Peter's and Erskineville. Please note that approximately a third of passengers who use the Bankstown rail line commute from these two stations. Local residents, who are heavy users of public transport, have not been consulted, advised or informed of what alternative rail transport will be provided to our communit. In short there has been no transparency of government plans to provide rail transport to our local area. Bus transport is not a viable alternative due to the proposed WestConnex motorway which is going to only add to road congestion in our area. Buses already run 15-20 minutes late on King Street to the city. Our two stations should be added to the new proposed Bankstown line.

* On this new metro line there would be very few seats. In peak travel time 70% of commuters would be forced to stand for up to 30 minutes. With existing double deck trains, 70% of passengers are seated. Metro lines generally operate over short distances, and the proposed Bankstown line operates over a long commuting distance, which makes this form of transport inappropriate.

* There are also safety concerns in relation to the tunnel segment from Waterloo to Sydenham. The proposed evacuation procedure - through the end doors to track level - does not cater to people in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Evacuation would be slow, and there will be no on-board staff to assist with evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. This is a serious WH & S which has not yet been addressed.

* At a cost of $12 billion, the City and Southwest Metro is a very expensive way of increasing track capacity through the CBD. Utilising existing infrastructure, a heavy rail link for double deck trains could be built for less than $4 billion. The proposed metro can only carry 36,000 passengers per hour, while if the line were built to accommodate double deck trains the capacity would be 45,000 per hour, based on the same frequency.


I have not made a reportable donation.
I have read the Department's Privacy Statement and agree to the Department using my submission in the ways it describes. I understand this includes full publication on the Department's website of my submission, any attachments, and any of my personal information in those documents, and possible supply to third parties such as state agencies, local government and the proponent.
Sincerely yours,

Lesley A. Watson

This is a supplementary and more detailed submission to one I lodged two weeks ago.

uploaded

Please publish

Submissions attached in PDF form.

Submissions regarding proposed Sydney Metro Waterloo site

The proposed location being located between Botany Road, Cope Street, Raglan Street and Wellington Street.

I submit the above stated Waterloo site is unsuitable for many reasons including the following:

Adverse Environmental Impacts on natural & built environments
The impact of this proposed development will create major adverse environmental impacts on both the natural and built environments.

Aboriginal Archaeological Deposits
There is a high likely hood of Aboriginal archaeological deposits in the Waterloo area which would be of significance.

In particular this relates to the proposed tunnel between Marrickville dive site and Waterloo Stations runs beneath Sheas Creek, a now concrete canal which forms the north-eastern extent of Alexandra Canal.

Alexandra Canal area has been listed as areas of archaeological potential.

Artefact Heritage in their technical paper 5 Aboriginal Heritage Archaeological Assessment published the following;

"animal bones (Dugong) and Aboriginal stone artefacts were identified by workers during extension of the Alexandra Canal in the 1890s at Shea Creek.. Palaeontologist Etheridge identified cuts and scars on the bones consistent with the animal being butchered. Two hatchet heads were also retrieved from the same area".

"7.11.5 Assessment of archaeological potential
The survivability of Aboriginal archaeological deposits in sites such as Waterloo Station is dependent largely on the extent and nature of subsequent phases of historical construction activities. As demonstrated at archaeological excavations across the Quaternary sand sheet, discrete portions of surviving archaeological deposit containing Aboriginal objects may occur beneath extant buildings and deep layers of introduced fill.
There are likely to have been significant, although not necessarily comprehensive, sub-surface impacts across the Waterloo Station site from 19th and 20th century construction and service installation across the site. The extent of introduced fill and depth of excavation during construction of the extant structures was unknown at the time this report was prepared.
Results from previous archaeological excavations across the Quaternary sand sheet demonstrate the potential for buried Aboriginal sites associated in those contexts. These sites can occur buried beneath areas of surface impact. Results of geotechnical investigations in the vicinity of the Waterloo Station site indicates the presence of buried sand beneath layers of introduced fill overlying Ashfield shale.
There is moderate-high archaeological potential for Aboriginal objects in sub- surface contexts where there have not been extensive sub-surface impacts."

"Intact Aboriginal archaeological deposits within the area are extremely rare and would be of high research significance.

"It is also possible that out-of-context Aboriginal artefacts may be present in the layers of fill used in the area."

However the map showing the location of Aboriginal sites has been removed, seemingly by Sydney Metro, from the public version of this document.

Native Animal Life
Waterloo is a known area of bat roosting.
Arcadis in their Technical Paper 9 Biodiversity Assessment state the Eastern Freetail-bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis) and Eastern Bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) are both listed as Vulnerable under the TSC Act, and are considered to have a moderate likelihood of occurrence at the Waterloo.

It can be observed that the native Fig trees at this site provide foraging habitat for the bats as well as the Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) and Common Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).

Contamination
Jacobs in their Technical Paper 8 Contamination Investigation state;

"the historical and current commercial/industrial use of the Waterloo Station site (including present day activities including dry cleaners, automotive use and a sub-station) represents a potential source of contamination associated with the chemicals used in the dry cleaning process (i.e. chlorinated hydrocarbons, and volatile organic compounds), the automotive industry (hydrocarbons), substation (hydrocarbons and PCB) and miscellaneous chemicals associated with historical commercial/industrial operations.

The risk to construction activities is considered moderate given that construction would require excavation of potentially contaminated soils, contact with potentially contaminated groundwater and potential volatilisation of some organic compounds. These volatile compounds (if present) may need to be managed during construction activities and vapours may need to be monitored within sub-surface spaces during operation of the station (dependant of the design of the station).

There is an area of high Acid sulfate soils (ASS) probability to the north of Alexandra Canal. It is possible that the construction of the Waterloo Station site may require excavation of alluvial soils which could contain ASS. Further investigations are required to better understand the potential risks."

Significant negative impact of Property acquisition
There is the need for Sydney Metro to acquire and estimated 18 properties, resulting in acquisition or relocation of occupying businesses, out of all of the proposed stations to be built Waterloo features the highest number of total forced acquisitions.

The proposed Waterloo Station site is a commercial / industrial / retail precinct including services such as a dry cleaner, automotive sales and repairs, printing press premises and shopping outlets, these commercial premises provide jobs and manufacturing in Australia for Australians. The removal of these businesses is not in the public interest of Australians, business owners, customers or the locals.

Detrimental affect to existing residents, buildings and structures
There will be an increase in erosion, adverse ground water impacts and risk to buildings and structures due to ground movement. As well as health issues and social issues of the following:

Proposed Substation located on Cope Street
The land use surrounding the project area is commercial, retail and high density residential. SLR Global Environmental Solutions in their technical paper 2 noise and vibration state there is a potential substation located on Cope Street - this would be a major adverse environmental and health impact as Cope Street is high density residential housing. There has been no community consultation on this at all.

It appears that there has also been NO assessment on the impacts stations and ancillary equipment such as substations and ventilation systems will cause;

"Operational Airborne Noise from Stations and Ancillary Facilities
The potential operational noise impacts from stations and ancillary equipment such as substations and ventilation systems have been assessed."






Noise, vibration and dust
It has been published by Jacobs in their Technical Paper 8 that the construction work, including excavation, could disturb businesses and the work environment through noise, vibration and dust.

Tunnelling construction works are proposed to occur on a 24 hour per day 7 days per week
According to SLR Consulting Australia the tunnelling construction works are proposed to occur on a 24 hour per day basis and up to 7 days per week.

Excessive round-borne noise and vibration levels from tunnelling
It has been reported the ground-borne noise and vibration levels from tunnelling may exceed the management levels at residential receiver locations during the evening and night-time period when people are resting or sleeping.

Excessive Noise
For residents north, south, east and west of the work they may experience an excess of 20 decibels of noise in the day and 20 decibels at night.

It has been reported that careful design consideration would be required at Barangaroo, Pitt Street and Waterloo stations to minimise noise at the nearest residences.

Servicing and delivery access problems
It has been published servicing and delivery access problems will occur, specifically servicing and delivery constraints for business located along Botany Road or on opposite sides of Raglan Street and Buckland Street.

Reduction on customer access & passing trade
It has been published customer access & passing trade with the construction would result in changes to vehicle and pedestrian flows that could influence the level of trade passing businesses and subsequent customers and sales.

Botany Road provides essential business trade which requires service & delivery access from the adjoining streets of Wellington, Ragland, Buckland and Cope Street. Vehicle and pedestrian flow to Botany road also relies heavily on access to Wellington Ragland, Buckland and Cope Street - disruption to these areas will affect key businesses will lead to the demise of trade and community services as well as the community.

These are just SOME of the many reasons to be found in the environmental impact statements published on the Sydney Metro website as to why Waterloo Metro Station proposal should be rejected.

The Waterloo Metro is not wanted or needed by the Redfern & Waterloo community, there has been public outcry over this as seen at the community events held by Sydney Metro, Urban Growth and Clover Moore who is also seemingly against the Metro and what it stands for.

Public outcry can be seen through social media sites including: Redwatch.org.au, Waterloo Public Housing Action Group, Greenleft.org.au, Better Planning Network, Stealing Our Skies, North Eveleigh Info, Alexandria Residents Action Group. Other supporting groups are Millers Point Community Association (MPCA) and Action for Public Housing (APH).

Newspapers including the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review (AFR) and Daily Telegraph have been vocalising their concerns.
e.g. AFR 16 December 2015
"Mirvac, Chinese Developers to benefit from Sydney's new Waterloo metro station".

Television stations such as channel nine, SBS and ABC have also documented public outcry against the Waterloo station build.

Greens NSW representatives have raised transport, housing, and accessibility concerns in response to NSW Governments announcement for a Sydney Metro station at Waterloo.
Greens NSW MP and Transport spokesperson Dr Mehreen Faruqi said:
"Transport decisions should be made to provide for accessibility for all. The government shouldn't be using the proposed private metro line as an excuse to overdevelop the area."

Greens NSW MP for Newtown Jenny Leong said:
"It's understandable that the community is asking - if they build a new station at Waterloo what will happen to the long-going struggle for a Redfern Station upgrade to ensure full accessibility of this key transport hub? And what about the public housing in Waterloo?"
"Once again we are seeing that this state government is willing to put the interests of the big developers ahead of community interests. Urban Growth might pull all the strings when it comes to decisions made by the NSW Government but they do not control this community.



Greens NSW City of Sydney Councillor Irene Doutney said:
"The announcement of the new Metro station in Waterloo will send a wave of dread through the public housing estates that surround the proposed site. UrbanGrowth has made it more than clear that the siting of the station at Waterloo would trigger the redevelopment of the Waterloo/Redfern Estates.
"The consequences of such redevelopment will be destruction of our local public housing communities which will be replaced with medium to high-rise private development. We are seeing this happen in Millers Point where the local community is being wiped out by gentrification.

I have attached by document below

I object to Sydney Metro Project specifically in respect of construction of the Chatswood Metro tunnel dive siteand heavy rail works immediately adjacent to my home, due to the lengthy excessive noise and vibration during construction and also excessive noise and vibration at our home during operation of the rail networks on completion.

Please see attached

Please see attached submission

See attached PDF Submission

See Document Attached

Please see uploaded PDF letter for our objection to the application

Please refer to attached PDF

I oppose the Chatswood to Sydenham Metro Line proposal because, if built, it will make the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro Line inevitable. New rail infrastructure should open up new parts of Sydney to mass transit. New infrastructure should not build a rail line where one already exists. From the perspective of providing all Sydney-siders access to mass transit this is a retrograde step and a waste of billions of dollars.

Please see attached document

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Our property is within 100 metres of the construction site (the Chatswood dive site).
We are very concerned with the noise, vibration and air impact of the construction to the health and well-being of our family (including elderly and children) at our home.
Given the number of years that the construction would involve, particularly when work would be undertaken during night time and weekends, we strongly ask the project's responsible entity consider installing adequate noise barriers, dust barriers during the construction process, as well as permanent noise barriers that are of sufficient height at the eastern side of the railway corridor between Chatswood Station and Mowbray Road so as to minimise the negative impact to the neighbouring homes.
The health wellbeing of people in the neighbouring properties is something that is worth significant consideration, and we trust that the responsible entity would take this submission seriously.
Thanks.

Please see attached the submission from Bicycle NSW.