While I support the construction of the tunnel to ease traffic congestion on the Northern Beaches, I do not support the destruction of critical environmental habitats and particularly the Burnt Bridge Creek. Removal of water in this creek will destroy the natural environment and habitat for many endangered species. In addition to this my understanding is that the exhaust stacks will not be filtered to reduce pollution in the surrounding areas which I find unacceptable and inconsiderate to the local population.

Garigal Landcare supports extension of well designed public transport and active transport infrastructure not roads. Providing more roads, invites the use of more cars, which is at this stage of climate emergency irresponsible and further damaging the already grim situation of climate change we are experiencing.
Irreversible destruction of bushland has already happened for the Frenchs Forest hospital,along Warringah Road, Frenchs Forest road, Mona Vale Road and adding road intersection especially the Wakehurst Parkway. Often the bush was of of good quality and of high conservation value, that was a known threatened ecological community.
Bushland corridors of highest priority also got destroyed and nil mediating artificial links were put in place.
Now this piecemeal necrosis is proposed to continue with again destroying Duffy's Forest Ecological Community, the known threatened ecological community restricted to a few hilltop locations nearly exclusively on the Northern Beaches and only around the proximity of the Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment to Duffy's and Frenchs Forest area.
In total over 15ha of Bushland would be destroyed, if this ill designed project goes ahead. On top of this waterways will be impacted severely by altered down flows and this will include the streams that are habitat for the climbing galaxies, one of our ancient relicts and icons in the Manly Dam Catchment.
Manly Dam is at this stage still fit for primary contact, which is not duplicated by others in the Sydney area. It is a valuable asset, not deserving any risks.
Any increased road capacity should only be constructed for public and active transport inviting people to switch to this mood of transportation.
Of further concern are noise and light impacts during construction and ongoing after, wildlife barriers presented in concrete or as light or noise barriers and air quality issues esp around the vents.

To Whom It May Concern,

I wish to hereby lodge my objection to the proposed Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection.

The grounds for my objection relate to the lack of filtration on the exhaust stacks. This is not worlds best practice and is unacceptable for a heavy residential area with multiple schools and children related activities. Furthermore, the residents who will be subjected to increased pollution levels are not the anticipated beneficiaries of this project and hence a solution which more effectively balances the benefits and costs within the same user group should be applied.

Your consideration in this matter is appreciated.

I am a student at Mackellar Girls Campus and I am horrified by the damage the Beaches Link will cause to our local environment.

The widening of Wakehurst Parkway to make a 4-6 lane freeway will cause pollution in the waterways at Manly Dam. 39 football fields of bushland will be cleared as well as 2,000 trees. The road will be raised several metres in some areas - so you will see and hear it, day and night, for miles around. I love mountain biking on the tracks in this area – these will be unusable for many years. I love walking in the bushland and find pockets of peace when away from the Wakehurst Parkway. You will hear this new widened road everywhere in the park. And I love swimming in the Dam and dread the pollution that has been predicted.

The Burnt Bridge Creek will die as its flow is to be reduced by 96%. I often cycle along this creek corridor and it is a beautiful tranquil place. I have recently learned that the creek supports many important species in a delicate ecosystem, including a colony of flying foxes. This ecosystem is at serious risk of being wiped out forever.

The EIS states that during construction, 425,000 litres of waste water will be washed into Manly Lagoon at Queenscliff every day. How will this affect swimming at Queenscliff Beach? I often surf there and I am very concerned.

The construction of the tunnels across Middle Harbour will require dredging of the harbour sediments. The sediment contains toxic chemicals which will wash under the Spit Bridge, posing a major threat to the marine environment and the amenity of Clontarf and Sandy Bay. This is a favourite place for my family and friends to have picnics and walk dogs.

It is essential that you take every possible measure to protect the waterways and native habitats during and after construction. These measures must be written into the contracts and big fines issued for breaches.

This destruction seems so pointless. The Beaches Link is just another road, pouring more cars onto Sydney’s jammed urban motorways. So much concrete, noise, pollution and so many people going nowhere fast. Other cities have given up trying to keep everyone moving in cars. We need public transport solutions.

Please reconsider this project and instead build a metro line from Chatswood to Dee Why. I ask you to also develop trackless trams, amazing bike lanes and more express buses. When I am old enough to drive, I want to have other options for getting around Sydney. Driving is stressful, polluting, socially isolating, dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists, expensive and unhealthy. It is time to move Sydney forward from car dependency. No more urban motorways, thank you.

I object to the Beaches Link Tunnel Project as proposed in the EIS for the Beaches Link Tunnel and Gore Hill Freeway Upgrade

I am aligned with the views of Northbridge Progress association and fully support their views.

I am especially concerned about the disruption and viability of both the swimming and sailing clubs if the water quality and restricted access to parts of middle harbour caused by the project.

Regards Colin McCall

The Peppermint Grove Community Association (DP270715), at a recent General Meeting, have discussed the potential for impacts from the proposed Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection upon the community property and assets. Given the proximity and alignment of the tunnel and the associated construction works and methodologies, we request that the applicant engages with the community to ensure that potential impacts are:
- clearly identified and considered through open and independent communications
- monitored through the pre-construction, during construction and post construction phases of the project.
- reported openly and independently
Of concern to the association members (which is in addition to the concerns of individual members/residents) is the potential for damage due to methodologies such as rock hammering over extended periods and moreso the potential for blasting in close proximity to the community areas.
Kind regards,
Peppermint Grove Community Association

Before investing any further money in this project, please rethink the options available such as improving public transport, increasing bus services, increasing city zone tolls in peak and shoulder periods, maximising the Military Road corridor with 24/7 clear ways (by providing alternative parking hubs), and reconsidering options for the Warringah Rd corridor to name a few. The proposed freeway exit at Burnt Bridge is a monstrosity that doesn’t link to another freeway - there will be traffic congestion around Manly Vale and suburbs further north as cars exit the freeway and revert to suburban traffic conditions. There are better ways to stimulate the economy than expensive projects that don’t deliver the desired outcomes to NSW taxpayers and Northern Beaches residents.

Objection to the Beaches Link EIS
Health and Safety
I vehemently object to the Beaches Link EIS because the construction as planned has too many serious negative impacts. These impacts cannot be sufficiently offset with the “benefits” associated with the outcomes.
Problem:
Negative impacts include:
• Air quality during construction, due to construction dust, toxic waste handling and storage, emission associated with >900 truck movements per day.
• Air quality on completion, due to unfiltered emission stacks.
• Contamination risks to marine and land eco-systems.
• Contamination risks to water quality.
• Ground born noise and vibrations, for some people 24/7.
• Ground subsidence impact.
• Loss of 3,000 trees.
• Disruption of wild life corridors, and potential extinction for a wide range of invertebrates.
• Traffic impacts, including flow, safety and noise associated with more than 900 truck movements per day on Flat Rock Drive.
• Loss of green space at Cammeray Golf Course, the construction of a 6 storey eye-sore and the impact of losing that water supply for North Sydney’s parks.
• Traffic chaos for North Sydney, due to tunnel entry/exit points and street closures.
• Increased difficulty for accessing expressway routes.
• Increased difficulty for accessing local amenities, including schools, shopping precincts, playing fields.
• A resulting loss of community.
• Personal financial concerns in relation to property values in the North Sydney LGA.
Recommendation:
The Beaches Link project must be reviewed and amended so that impacts on the residents of the North Sydney LGA are addressed.