I object to this project for the reasons stated in the attachment.

There will be considerable traffic implications for the Northbridge area as a result of the increased traffic movements on already congested roads. There are limited alternative routes and during construction this will force traffic on to Strathallen Road which is the main exit from most of Northbridge, making traffic flow along Strathallen and up Miller St extremely congested.

The dredging required for the tunneling around Clive Park and through Sailor's Bay means that existing facilities such as Northbridge baths and Clive Park bathing area will be unable to be used for an extended period of time and may potentially be permanently affected.

Increased traffic congestion in Cammeray, particularly around Cammeray Public School due to changes in traffic flow from Amherst St will create considerable danger for school children in and around the school area. At school drop off and pick up times there is already considerable congestion with long tail backs exiting the precinct behind Miller street.

Unfiltered stacks at Ernest Street close to many schools creates unnecessary and avoidable health risks for local children.

1st March 2021

Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a resident (of 15 years) of North Balgowlah and I write to voice my concerns around the proposed Beaches Link Tunnel and its impacts on our school, the wider community, and the local environment. Separate to the many environmental concerns, I question if the tunnel is still appropriate in a post COVID world, and work with you to achieve an outcome beneficial for not only my family, but future generations who reside in the area.
Whatever the outcome of this letter, and the other objections you are no doubt receiving, I seek for my family and my neighbours assurances that at any stage during the project the impacts to our school, community and environment are negligible.
1) Tunnel Justification Concern: Reviewing the tunnel justification (and concern around this enormous and expensive project) - the figures put forward in the EIS indicate only a minimal reduction in the traffic flowing through Mosman for a significant and disproportionate use of public funds. I feel that many of the assumptions for traffic used as justification of the build in the EIS have not factored in changes to travel habits and working from home due to COVID-19 and into the future, treating COVID-19 as having only a “temporary” impact". In addition, the tunnel is not able to accommodate buses.
Request - There are many new data points to factor in given the impact of COVID-19 on lifestyles long term and we stand with Viable Transport solutions in asking the government to halt the development process to allow for a suitable review, and to publicly release the results of the review.
2) Construction Impact Concern: The construction phase of the project will undoubtedly impact North Balgowlah residents with dust, noise, vibration, and heavy vehicle traffic in the area. North Balgowlah will have construction surrounding most of the suburb and the EIS indicates that during construction there will be:
• Over 3,000 vehicles per day across all sites.
• 1,690 vehicles per day at the Balgowlah Golf Course site alone.
• 1.5 heavy vehicles every minute or 4.5 vehicles (total) every minute.
• Over 4,000 homes subjected to excessive noise
• Construction work to proceed 24/7 for up to 7 years.
Request – Reconsider how to ensure that the impact of trucks/vehicles is not felt on the suburban streets that are already hard to navigate with local traffic and buses. Ensure areas around schools and parks are not impacted and are safe for families and children to walk or ride around the local community. Disincentivise commuters looking to use our streets as a rat run to save time from congestion and money from using the toll roads.

3) Ventilation stacks Concern - Global health experts agree that pollution from traffic exhaust poses serious health risks. Emissions include nitrous oxides and particulate matter that, when breathed into the lungs, causes respiratory diseases such as asthma and emphysema, and cancer. There are several schools, preschools, childcare centres, and sporting fields within the vicinity of all the proposed ventilation stacks and from a parent's point of view, the increased level of pollution is unacceptable.

Request - If the tunnel were to go ahead that the stacks be equipped with full filtration to minimize these impacts. At the very least the air pollution is kept at the current levels.

4) Environmental Impact Concern - We are fortunate to live in an area that incorporates some spectacular bush land, reserves, and beaches and would urge that further consideration is given to the major environmental impacts, including but not limited to:

• Movement of contaminated sediment to Clontarf and Middle Harbour (The Spit) potentially causing pollution of the neighbouring beaches.
• Destruction of Burnt Bridge Creek and surrounds (e.g., bushland, wildlife etc) due to a possible 96% reduction in water flow.
• Discharge of 428,000 L per day of wastewater into Queenscliff Lagoon & Beach, resulting in health hazards for people and animals who swim in the waterways.
• Pollution of Manly Dam reserve, resulting in the potential extinction of rare flora and fauna and the last remaining areas of Duffy’s Forest, and meaning that one of the only swimmable dams in NSW is no longer safe for public use.
• Loss of recreational activities with the mountain bike trails that are used for riding, walking, and running.

Request – future generations should have assurances that they too can experience the natural wonders of the area in all its glory. That wildlife can live in the shadows of residential houses, not shadows of construction and pollution. What is the point of making the northern beaches more accessible if the very heart of what makes the northern beaches so special is destroyed? We understand that in life, it is important to move forward, but not at all costs.

Now, there is a shared sense of community and a great respect and appreciation for our local surrounds. We should live sustainably and leave the world a better place for future generations. The Beaches Tunnel is not the answer.

Yours sincerely

Kristen Gallacher

I object to the construction of this tunnel with the concerns of,
Loss of green space. The construction of the stacks will be a hazed to my exsisting poor lung health. The significant noise and decrease in air quality during construction will strongly contribute to the amenity and loss of value on my property. The negative impact on the community far out ways the positive of this development.

To Whom It May Concern,
I wish to lodge my objections to the beaches link tunnel in its current form based on the following points ; -

1. No Benefit to traffic flow for the Beaches
• The EIS shows very little benefit in the form of improved traffic flow on the southern end of the beaches. (App F- Part 1) In fact traffic will be worse in most areas over the long term with an increase in traffic flow to the area. The only impact appears to be bringing more traffic to the area rather than improving it.
• The Wakehurst parkway would need a significant upgrade to handle the volume of traffic predicted. IT is already unable to cope with what is there.
• The recent upgrade of the Parkway / Warringah road has done little to fix the already congested Parkway. There is still queuing some mornings as the traffic has to go somewhere. The same issue with exist with the tunnel under this model, however encouraging more heavy transport onto the road.
2. Development of adequate public transport
• Recent changes by reducing buses to parts of the Northern beaches has had a significant impact on traffic.
• There seems to have be no real consideration in alternate means to address the traffic and a missed opportunity.
i. There does not seem to be any reviews taken to developing public transport systems to address traffic.
ii. The B line improved traffic – however there is inadequate parking adding to frustration and under utilisation
3. Traffic Flow alterations
• The area between the Wakehurst Parkway and Balgowlah golf course is going to be significantly impacted in every aspect with no long term gain.
• Traffic impact during construction and ongoing for people avoiding the tunnel - minimal consideration has been given to addressing “rat-runs” in already congested streets and the impact on local residents. With the changes to bus routes this has already added safety concerns to the area. Judith st and Lister Ave/ Baringa Ave are already been used as a cut through due to the increased traffic flow to the area this year. Cars speed though here as a short cut. There are daily near misses and a serious accident waiting to happen. Both go past primary schools. None of this has been addressed adequately.
4. Environmental concerns - Pollution concerns exist on many levels and the overviews appear to misrepresent that facts behind them when looked at in detail.
• Impact on Burnt Bridge Creek – This is a critical part of the local ecco system. The reductions in waterflow stated will kill this area. It is a highly used public space that it being destroyed with no consideration given to the local or environmental impacts. The flow on effect to other surrounding natural areas has not been adequately considered.
• The water flow during construction to Queenscliff will have significant local impact with no consideration on addressing the consequences.
• The Airstack data does not add up- wind direction vary to suit the story from one stack to the other. This is misleading and confusing. It does not appear adequate assessment has been done in this area. The height of the stack in real terms ie. Taking into account topography misrepresents how and where the pollution will flow. This impacts Schools and highly used recreational facilities.
• Serious concerns over pollution with the WestConnex tunnel already exist which have yet been adequately measured or considered in developing this proposal. Pollution assessments need to be redone based on the knowledge now available. These need to be actual at correct topographical heights and not theoretical dat. Eg a Stock at 6-7 stories high however at the level of a school as 2 stories high due to land flow needs to be considered at its true height.
• No filters is a serious concern and not considered best practise in international equivalents. Theis needs to be readdressed.
• Risks to Middle harbour waterways during the construction have not been addressed. What are the contingency plans?
5. Construction impact
• The report does not adequately address the ongoing noise level. A large number of people now work from home – this will have significant impact to them
• No consideration has been given to the local schools, childcare, shops, sporting facilities on noise levels access and traffic impact with many sitting in highly impacted areas.
• Vibration has been shown to impact areas far greater than those provided in the data on the other tunnel sites. This information appears to be outdated.
• There is no benefit to those impacted by this construction period of several years.
I am only touching on a number of concerns. The documentation is highly complex and clearly not designed for the average person to be able to easily follow and provide a review of the impact it will have on them. Summaries designed to provide a simple overview appear to misrepresent the data when you dig down on the appendices and mislead what is behind the data.

Child safety and protection

Let's talk about the next generation. Are they not precious to us? The proposed tunnel will see kids having to walk and cycle on busy Sydney road instead of safely on the cycle path for a period of 8 years. This would be bad enough, but the project will actively add 100s of trucks a day to the roads these kids will now be forced to use. I can imagine you wonder why these kids are not taking the bus. I will tell you, government policy is such that after yr 3, the distance kids are expected to walk/cycle increases making them ineligible for school subsidised Opal cards. I live on Dudley Road and last year my son was denied an opal card because he was deemed close enough to Manly West Primary school to walk or ride his bike. But previous years he was eligible. And his younger brother was eligible. When I contested the decision I was told he was old enough to walk this distance and the government had deemed it safe because of the pathway by Burnt Bridge creek deviation. Ironically, the school won't let him ride his bike for several more years. So what a lose lose situation for parents and kids.
I watch so many kids ride up my street to go to Balgowlah Boys for school. They are independent and happy. This will disappear with the tunnel construction. Not only will the pathway disappear, but the noise and dust pollution will be so bad that parents won't want to have their kids outside riding to school. And let us remember this is not a few months, but years! If construction started tomorrow, it would mean my son's entire school career from this day forward would not include riding or walking to school. 8 years. A whole childhood gone and lost. We all only get one. Please do not take this from our children. Even if they walked another route, wore masks, or risked biking on the road, the risk to injury and loss of life due to increase in truck traffic is high.

Drive you child to school you say? oh right, I forgot that the proposed tunnel is trying to increase road usage as opposed to reduce it. Funny how this is contrary to state and federal policy and commitments.

It isn't a hard decision to make. The EIS outlines the impact to the community. From my reading of the document, the negative impact significantly outweighs the proposed positive outcomes. You do not need to be good in maths to realise this means the numbers do not add up. You asked for our feedback and opinions. You said that if the impact was too high, then the project would be adjusted or not proceed. No amount of adjustments will bring the negative impact down to a level that will make the project ultimately positive in nature. Therefore, the project should be scrapped. Spend the money elsewhere to benefit society. This tunnel is not needed nor wanted. I strongly object to its construction.

I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Upgrade – SSI_8862

I have lived in Seaforth for 48 years and expected to continue to do so. Since I heard of the projected Beaches Link tunnel I have attended multiple information sessions, provided by the RMS and community groups before the pandemic. Since then I have attended all sessions via zoom.

In addition I have attempted to read and digest as much of the E.I.S released at the end of December 2020 as I was able. It was an outrageous affront to release that report at Christmas time in the midst of a pandemic and indeed as it happened a lock down on the Northern beaches, knowing perfectly well ordinary members of the public would not have the time or knowledge to read and digest it by March 1st.
It was thanks to local community members giving their time and expertise to provide a synopsis that I read as much as I did.

I have not seen or heard anything in the last 3 years that convinced me this project is necessary nor suitable for the Northern Beaches.

I therefore object to this project on the following grounds;

Above all the disruption, noise, pollution and destruction of the local area.

Noise from constant tunnelling under people's homes. There is no plan explanation of what will be used for noise mitigation.
And removal of the so called spoil.

Wakehurst parkway to be widened, involving trucks going in and out of the working area 24/7 travelling through residential areas,near schools, potentially putting children at risk. As there is no explanation in the EIS to say which directions spoil trucks will go I don't think proper consideration has been given to this aspect at all.
I live near Frenchs Forest Rd which contains a primary school and an aged care development,a narrow winding street that would be dangerous for all road uses if spoil trucks will be travelling constantly.

Balgowlah golf course is to be all but destroyed and turned into another works area. That is directly opposite Balgowlah boys high school, current enrolment around 900. If this project were to go ahead that means some children will spend their entire secondary school life in the middle of a construction zone.

Workers parking in local streets. I live in Seaforth, an old suburb with narrow streets and little parking. What are locals expected to do if construction workers are occupying all street parking? The EIS mentions Pickworth St as a parking area for them. The noise you now hear is locals laughing. Pickworth is always full. This points up how little consideration has really been given to how local residents would be impacted by the project.

There would be a huge impact on fauna at Burnt Bridge Creek and Manly Dam and on the Wakehurst Parkway.

Toxic sludge disturbance in Middle Harbour is already a problem. And just last week a report in the Sydney Morning Herald reported on the extent of same at Berry's Bay. Not enough research has gone into dealing with this issue.

The State Govt is proposing to spend upwards of 15 BILLION on a tunnel that will take at least 7 years to build. Causing noise, pollution and disruption to people's lives and health, putting children and the elderly at risk from heavy trucks passing through residential areas,near schools. And in the end, it would achieve very little. According to traffic experts from UTS the time saving bypassing Military Rd would be minimal.

If this project were to go ahead, it would be an appalling waste of public money.

The last year has proved many workers can work effectively from home and want to continue doing so. If there was ever a demand for a road tunnel it no longer exists.

What is needed is better public transport not a road tunnel.

I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Upgrade – SSI_8862

Gladys Berejiklian stated that pollution ventilation shafts would have additional filtering particularly where they would impact school, parks and children. For the health and safety of the population living, attending school and working nearby, all these ventilation shafts require filtering and then constant monitoring for any dangerous pollutant levels particularly during highest use periods. The filtering and pollutant monitoring results must be made transparent and available to the whole of the affected community.

I have objected on the following grounds:
- I am completely against this project because of environmental impacts it will have on my local community.
- The pollution it will create in the harbour as a result of dredging releasing contaminants will have an effect on not only marine life but popular children friendly harbour beaches e.g. Clontarf. In addition, 428,000 litres of waste water pumped into Queenscliff each day which is a popular area for swimming by locals.
- Destruction of habitat - there have been 23 species detailed as under threat in the EIS but there will be many more. This is tragic to the ecosystems and natural wildlife in our neighbourhood.
- Burnt Bridge Creek will probably dry up due to a potential 96% reduction in water flow. This will further impact local wildlife.
- As a resident close to the wakehurst parkway construction site, I am very concerned about the construction noise, vibration and increase in works traffic impacting me at home. I will be subjected to this for the next 7 years!!!
- The use of unfiltered stacks on the health of my local community. In particular as these are in such close proximity to schools e.g. North Balgowlah Public School where my children attend, Seaforth public school and several childrens daycares. Gladys herself objected to the use of unfiltered stacks in the Lane Cove Tunnel, calling the filtration of stacks "Ethically right in the interests of health". Yet, she has changed her mind on the northern beaches where they are in close proximity to public schools and daycares.
- Since covid more and more people have had to work from home. Despite easing of restrictions, many people have been supported to continue to work part of their hours at home. With less commuter traffic on the roads can the financial and environmental justifications of this project be justified - I would say not.