Northern Beaches Tunnel Objection
I object to the Northern Beaches Tunnel. It will lead to unwanted overdevelopment on the Northern Beaches. It seems more development is the only way to make the business case viable. I object to the destruction of trees and green space with the demolition of the Balgowlah Golf Course. Wild life there and along the Wakehurst Parkway will lose their habitats. Defer it and redesign it with more empathy to the beautiful landscape of the Northern Beaches.
Sue Sharp

I object to this project on the grounds that -
- a vehicle corridor is not an solution - when the rest of the world is looking for public transport solution.....this band-aid approach which lasts as long as it takes to be choked and we are back to grid-lock
- the process has been RUSHED through without sufficient consultation with the community before the next election
- the design of the exhaust gas without filtration cannot be guaranteed against fallout in all weather conditions
- the reduction of public space and mature trees and habitat
- the noise and dust pollution factor - early bore hole drilling was enough to pre-empt our impending demise of our well-being for many years
- the visual impact of a stack - not the artist's impression but the true visual of living next door when the scenery has been reduced to ground zero
- a HOME is selected based on the PRESENT facts and its current ENVIRON..... NOT one changed subsequently by Government so others outside the IMPACT ZONE can benefit for short term gains
- concentrated fumes and brake dust cannot be a sensible or healthy solution to any design in this modern day ... another short -term solution

The Artarmon Progress Association objects to the Beaches Link project until the following concerns, as detailed in the attached document, are addressed:
- Significant increases in traffic through residential and industrial areas of Artarmon
- Environmental concerns, including the reduction of groundwater levels under Artarmon Reserve and Oval
- Cycling and walking impacts on residents.

Paris St Balgowlah is our treasured home and community. The vast majority of us have been residents of Paris St for decades which is unusual these days. The long-term residency is testament to the strong sense of connection to community and place. Paris St is a cul-de-sac which ends on Balgowlah Golf Course which is viewed by all as an extension of our street, an important area for walking dogs, playing golf, doing exercise, playing and socialising. We consider the Balgowlah Golf Course and Burnt Bridge Creek corridor to be the reason we are a close community and keep living here, especially contributing to our wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown periods.
We believe the expensive Beaches Link Tunnel (BLT) project revealed in the recently released EIS will come at a huge cost to our community with the resultant loss of lifestyle and environment and 5-7 years of construction horror. All this loss will be for limited gain as the BLT will not solve the traffic issues for the northern beaches and lower north shore

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on the Beaches Link EIS.
I make the following objections in relation to the EIS.
Increased traffic in Artarmon
The EIS highlights increased traffic demand and resultant increased delays at intersections in the Gore Hill Freeway and Artarmon Area.
I am concerned this will result in increased traffic through Artarmon local streets which impacts the amenity for local residents and for visitors using local services, schools, ovals and other facilities. There is already a lot of traffic on Reserve, Hampden and interconnecting roads without further traffic from the Beaches and Western Harbour tunnels seeking alternative routes to the Pacific Highway, Mowbray Road and other major roads.
I request a condition be included requiring appropriate measures to be taken to mitigate the likely impact on local traffic in the Artarmon area.

Vegetation and bio diversity
Artarmon Park
The Gore Hill Freeway connection works will see the permanent loss of dense vegetation from a section of Artarmon Park. Also the construction support sites will occupy many areas that have been revegetated following previous freeway and tunnel works
These green bands provide important habitat connectivity. While the EIS recognises the importance of open space, it is important that wildlife corridors and refuges for the birds, reptiles, insects and other animals that can be found in urban bushland areas are maintained and restored.
I request a condition be included requiring dense revegetation of a section of Artarmon Park to provide habitat connectivity.

Flat Rock Gully
I object to the use of part of the Flat Rock Gully bushland area as a construction site and the loss of over 20 years effort of revegetation to a significant portion of the site. We are already losing a lot of urban bushland and it takes many years for suitable wildlife habitat and biodiverse communities to re-establish. Regardless of previous disturbance to the area, removal of vegetation in this area would be a significant setback as well as loss of connectivity to adjoining bushland spaces. This will not be mitigated by offsets by planting in other localities.
I am also concerned that the Flat Rock Gully site may be left as open space or buildings left on site post construction.
I request that an alternative site be sought for the Flat Rock Gully construction site.
Should the area be used as a construction site, I request a condition requiring revegetation, or contribution to revegetation, to re-establish dense bushland to provide habit and bushland connectivity.

Groundwater
The EIS identifies significant draw down of ground water both during construction and during the operational phase. I am concerned about the long term impact on trees and eco systems, ground settlement and potential for contaminated plumes from contaminated sites.
I request that ground water improvement strategies be developed to mitigate the impact of ground water draw down in the longer term.

I object to the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway connection as I believe the environmental costs are too high. I would prefer greener alternatives such as an enhanced mass transit system. The B1 bus line has shown this can work well. I would like to see the EIS re-opened for a full public consultation and also a Phase 2 Contamination Assessment. Thanks.

I am very concerned about the impact on our natural environment. Based on what I've seen, I can't imagine that much of our beloved Tunks Park and associated bushland and its wildlife will be able to withstand the planned construction.

Overall, I just feel the community seems to have so little power to influence the outcome. The process just to write a submission here is sufficiently challenging that most people just won't be bothered. In fact, while I feel strongly about this I am myself too busy to write a well structured and powerful submission. There is such an imbalance in the decision-making process. At the very least, I request the following: The release of a strong and unbiased business case which includes the actual benefits of having a tunnel (as opposed to better public transport options).