Director Transport Assessment Planning Services

This submission relates to the proposed modification to M4-M5 link, mod 2 The Crescent overpass in particular the significant changes to the pedestrian infrastructure and access arrangements to the foreshore area around North Annandale and Rozelle Bay.

The changes appear to create a major barrier for pedestrians (abled and disabled) and cyclists for a safe, direct and usable access for all non-vehicle transportation. For those that use the current direct access (no steps) they will be now required to use Kentville St in order to access the foreshore. It seems that the redesign has eliminated the on ground people element in favour of road transport users. My major concern is that the redesign will create an significant increase in risk taking as pedestrians and cyclists short cut access to the foreshore. There will be a range of safety issues as a result of the increase in traffic through the revised Johnson st and The Crescent intersection; increase in conflict between vehicles and pedestrian traffic;

My submission is asking the RMS to consider a redesign that significant reduces the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians and cyclists as they gain direct access to the foreshore. My suggestion is a pedestrian/cyclist over pass that replaces the current on ground access through Burrawang Park. This could take off from the Rozelle tram stop and land on the north side of The Crescent.

The current overpass infrastructure design for The Crescent is not completely responsive to the needs and character of the suburb creating a significant man made infrastructure barrier to the foreshore in an area that will significantly change and compromise pedestrian use, risk and safety of foreshore users.

Kind Regards
Greg Smith

I object to the project for several reasons including:
1. That there will be significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Parl and increased traffic along Johnson st where a number of homes and schools will be affected.
2. Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
3. Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus stops to a ferry wharf and metro station.
4. Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised masterplan for the area.
5 Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

Application: SSI 7485
Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,
I write regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 Link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and
changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.
I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car
overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links. I am seeking the reinstatement of the
safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space
connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more
than just a walk way - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much
needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design.
I am requesting RMS put people back into the plan – I want you to reinstate your own vision as
laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with the community to design a feasible
option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.
My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
● The significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed
access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnson
Street.
● Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach
the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle light rail stop.
● Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and
the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and
Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
● Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
● Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the
local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to
deal with these.

While I am not opposed to some parts of the WestConnex works, this modification to the M4-M5 link at The Crescent, which was submitted without community consultation is absolutely appalling. The people who you think you are helping with the monstrosity of an overpass, are exactly the same people who utilise the parks and foreshores around the area, and who would be significantly disadvantaged by the proposed overpass. An underpass, which maintains parkland and access to parkland, as originally proposed, was a reasonably acceptable solution. I will summarise the reasons for my objection below -
- Multiple set of lights and 5m ascent and descent to get from Annandale/Lilyfield through to the water and foreshore is unacceptable. Not only do thousands of community pedestrians use the crossings at the bottom of Johnston St every week, but also the local schools frequently cross this intersection for sporting and recreation activities. Not only would crossing multiple sets of lights be time consuming, it is unsafe to have dozens of young children (and adults) waiting a crowded busy intersections waiting to cross.
- The proposed changes cut off right hand turn to The Crescent from the bottom of Johnston St. It is my understanding that no traffic study has been undertaken to assess the impact of such a change. However, this is a frequently used turn and, given that there would be no access to the eastern side of Annandale from the western side of Annandale from north Johnston St, it would inevitably result in frequent U-turns on Johnston St, and motorists using the small, narrow, steep streets on the eastern side of Annandale as rat runs to get through to The eastern part of The Crescent. This would be a very undesirable outcome.
- One of the important aspects of any planning development is the visual acceptability of a project. A multi-lane overpass in the location proposed is huge and would be an absolute eyesore. I am sure if it were proposed on other areas of the harbour, where access to parkland currently exists, such a proposal would never be considered.

I would like the following issues considered and reinstated -
- Reinstate your vision as laid out in the Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056
- Work with the community to develop a feasible design that is acceptable to the community who will be using it
- Reinstate the greenlink connecting Annandale, Rozelle and Lilyfield to the foreshore and Bicentennial Park
- Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist paths that are continuous, safe and direct
- Design the new infrastructure in keeping the with character of the existing suburbs (ie plan to have major traffic intersections and motorways underground)
- Integrate direct connections to all active transport, not only pedestrian areas and cycleways, but also to the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf.

In short, I completely object to the current proposal, and would like it modified with community consultation, as per the notes above.

Yours sincerely,
Dale Wilson.

As a resident of Glebe with family who live in Annandale I am opposed to the proposed Mod 2 design in it's entirety.
Reinstate the original, approved Greenlink so our access to family and their access to the foreshore remains safe and direct.

RE App SSI 7485
Apart from the fact that the research has been absolutely unequivocal since Robert Moses built the first motorways in New York City that big tollways just INCREASE TRAFFIC, not reduce congestion, there are the modifications to the original plan that substantially degrade the area affected by the proposal as follows:

The project is far more obtrusive than the original plan. The underground tunnel has been replaced by an LA-style overpass. The end of Victoria Street, with its two ghastly, vertigo-inducing overpasses is already a blight. With the proposed modifications the blight will extend further into the city, with the remaining character of the working harbour, and the green space that has been created, overwhelmed by traffic chaos.

Relocation of the green link destroys the original plan to have a link from Rozelle Goods Yard to Bicentennial Park. The interests of pedestrians have not been considered, only those of motorists, in making the walk longer for pedestrians (and therefore discriminating against the elderly, those with small children, and those who have difficulty walking). Pedestrians going from the Western side of Johnston Street to Bicentennial and Jubilee Parks will have to negotiate heavy traffic by means of four crossings.

The proposal will involve the total destruction of Buruwan Park, including its magnificent Moreton Bay Figs, and the general denudation of the area around the Rozelle Bay Light Rail Station, including loss of habitat for wildlife and destruction of amenity, not just for locals but for this part of the city generally. The proposal turns an oasis of green in the already heavily trafficked area into a concrete desert. As the Amazon fires are reminding us, trees are the lungs of the earth. Green spaces are also one way to look after the mental health of city dwellers. Replacing these old growth trees with a few saplings will not compensate for the environmental and aesthetic destruction that the modification will bring.

Dear Officer,
I am almost daily using Crescent crossing coming down Johnston street or down the Crescent from City West Link direction to get to Bicentennial park. I walk dog, go to Fish Market and Tramsheds.
Proposed changes will make crossing far more difficult to navigate. Instead of crossing one road, I will need to cross four-five set of lights. COMMUNITY NEEDS SAFE CROSSING TO ACCESS THE PARK ON FOOT OR BIKE WITH OR WITHOUT DOG!!!
I find very disturbing that panning department can propose and exhibit changes without consulting with the community, and recommend to build concrete jungle to separate community I live in more than 20 years from access to the water of Rozelle Buy.
It looks like that planning department does not think about people at all, please reconsider your proposal.
Regards
Milan Vukovic