My extended family live in various locations in the area and of course I care about all our health.
VOCs are toxic and carcinogenic. I therefore object to a 400% increase in pollution and wish for filtration of the tunnel emissions from the Wahroonga ventilation stack.

My daughter goes to Abbotsleigh and the unfiltered pollution ventillation stac, the school is under .25km and the children will breathe this unpolluted air. I am concerned about the health issues and believe this is not beneficial for the children especially my daughter.

As per the EPA letter dated 19 July 2019.
The EPA has reviewed the Modification Request to increase the VOC emission limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3 and based on the information available, the EPA does not raise any objection to the increase of the VOC emission limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3.
The EPA also notes the AECOM modelling demonstrates the increased VOC emission limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3 does not result in adverse air quality impacts. The EPA therefore is satisfied with the information provided.

The ventilation outlet amount is dangerous! There are so many schools and residences around the area of stack!

I notice that the North Connex has requested an increase in emissions of 300%!! That is not a good thing when the northern end of the tunnel is spewing that stuff over several schools and child care centres not to mention homes! I strongly object to the NSW Govt Planning Dept approving this increase and will be asking friends, neighbours and business colleagues to also object. Surely this should have been part of the original DA??

My three daughters, aged 3, 5, and 9 attend the Abbotsleigh Junior school campus and Early Learning Centre which is only 250m from the North Connex Stack. They spend 9 hours/day, 5 days/week, 200 days/year there, and will do so while breathing the unfiltered pollution of the stack for 9 more years for the eldest, and 15 more years the youngest.

As a medical doctor, I am extremely concerned about how the North Connex stack will impact their health, growth and development. I am certain that this will in time cause a spike in the incidence of cancer in the area, leading to a class action against the NSW Government.

I implore you to reconsider the ventilation outlet limit increase and ask you to filter the stack - For the sake of generations of our children living under it for decades.

I object to the proposed increase in pollutants allowed from the tunnel. This should not be permitted.
In addition, I believe - having considered this issue and the research on the related carcinogens and likely adverse public health impacts from the pollutants released into residential areas as a result of the tunnel's use - that the tunnel should have filters installed to reduce the pollutant emissions.
This is quite obviously a public health issue which should be addressed by better governance than has been displayed thus far.

Please find below my submission in response to the exhibition of the Modification request for NorthConnex.(M1-M2) project Application No SSI 6136 MOD3

Firstly I would like to state I object to the proposed modification as described in the Application No SSI 6136 MOD3.
I have a high level of concern regarding the following issues and request that these be considered by NorthConnex and the Department of Planning. In regards to the NorthConnex tunnel, I am concerned about:
1. Placement of unfiltered northern ventilation stack in the centre of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga, where 9,300 school children will be exposed, as well as multiple aged care facilities, hospitals, businesses and homes.
2. The increase of VOC limit from 1mg/m3 to 4mg/m3 is infact above the highest level of VOCs and is a major heath concern. You can be deliberately poisoning your community and about 9,300 school children.
3. I am highly concerned about the multiple large scale research studies that suggest the impacts of air pollutants on health are serious. These include increased death from heart disease, increased risks of lung cancer, stroke, poor lung growth in children, increased asthma, and recent research suggesting low birth weight for pregnant women, increased autism, and congenital heart defects. These studies confirm air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause the above health problems.

Dr Ray Nassar - health effects of air pollution - https://vimeo.com/278243564

To address my concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:
1. Due to the significant health concerns of increased VOC particles, I request the department of planning does not approve the modification to increase the VOC limit.
2. I also request that adequate filtration be fitted to the ventilation stacks.

Industry leading Dr's have recommended adequate filtration be fitted to combat the negative effects of particle emissions.
Dr Ray Nassar - health effects of air pollution - https://vimeo.com/278243564
I also quote the recommendations in the Final report for impact of westConnex, which calls out for adequate measures to be taken to filter the ventilation stacks.

Reshma Pandey
77A, Alexandria Parade, Wahroonga - 2076