The La Perouse Precinct Committee strongly rejects the proposal to establish a light rail system from Circular Quay to Randwick and Kingsford because:
It is unnecessary AND VERY COSTLY in relation to more efficient use of buses.
Some bus services can be terminated at Central and passengers wishing to go between Central and Circular Quay transfer to trains or buses whose routes to Circular Quay are maintained. This arrangement can also be used in reverse. This will both reduce the number of buses between Central and Circular Quay and also create some shorter routes for half empty buses.
The need to have an second transport organisation administrative organisation is avoided so would the costs of establishing the infrastructure required for the operation of the trams ans costs of purchase in relation to costs og buses and also inventory of spare parts as well a the need to buy and maintain spares and maintenance crews etc.
More efficient use and routing of buses would also save Highcross Park at Randwick. More efficient use of buses can be achieved by elimination parts of services that are duplicated by other services so that buses are kept relatively full all the time.
It is understood that 80% of rail passengers would alight and get of at the terminuses at Kingsford and Randwick. Given the very small space available this will cause chaos by the throng of people and the throng ofthe extra traffic caused by people getting in and out of cars in the near vicinity of the interchanges, The interchange spaces are just not big enough nor is the interface to private transport for the rail passengers. Unlike Central station there has to be shelters built so that passengers waiting for tams or just alighting from trams have reasonable shelter from inclement weather.
This in turn restricts the available space at the interchanges.

The notion of having to change modes of transport s a retrograde step in service. It was much despised when it was extant in previous years. It is totally unfair to disabled and elderly and frail people.
When it comes to trams there is no such thing as an express service because one tram cannot overtake an other. Also the trams would have to stop at every tram stop because of the large number of passengers and also to keep service separations . Journey times in non peak times would therefor be a lot longer than could be achieved by buses.
Trams also cannot travel cross country as can buses. This again would lead to a deterioration in current bus services.

Rather than a myriad of people being forced to change modes of transport at Randwick and Kingspford, if people were obliged to change at Central to either the heavy rail and /or more efficiently used buses then the objectives can be achieved at very little it at all increased costs.
There is large unused bus interface capacity at the UNSW because Barker St is not being utilized for that purpose.
It would also be reasonable to ask that some buses be allowed on the Campus. Also a bus exclusive lane could be established along the UNSW fence line along Botany Rd by taking up the nature strip and creating a pedestrian way inside the university fence.
It is not on to expect the people who do not use the university to fund a transport system costing hundreds of millions of dollars for major benefit by the UNSW and major dis benefit of passengers who are forced to modes of transport at the interchanges.
The university must contribute space and cooperation so that buses can be better utilised and the monumental costs of another transport system averted..

The proposed routing along Anzac Pde at Kensington and Kingsford is an absolute travesty in its complete domination of what is a beautiful Broadway. The trams cannot be allowed to spoil it either visually or functionally.

I do not support the light rail development in the eastern suburbs at its current cost in trees, heritage around the racecourse, and bus services.
The trees in the Randwick Precinct along Alison and Wansey Road are hundreds of years old. Just replanting them does not take into account their place in the floral history of the area nor the practical benefits of shade and beauty.
The heritage of the Racecourse is also being destroyed along Alison Road and through into where the 'stabling' area is planned. Historic buildings that contribute to the character and understanding of the racecourse within the history of the area are being lost without a thought.
Furthermore, you are cutting the only bus that links the inner west with the east (M10) forcing commuters to take two different forms of transport. Further disruptions to routes forcing commuters into other forms of transport will not improve Sydney transport, it will only lead to disgruntled commuters. How is the light rail supposed to cope with the high number of uni students plus everyday commuters? According to the EIS, the maths indicates only 6000 can be transported using the light rail and yet 135 all stops buses and all express buses are being cut.

I am completely against the light rail, I cannot believe that one tree should be cut down to make way for transport. If any trees are damaged I intend to make sure everyone knows what environmental damage is being caused by this project in what ever way possible. Those trees are part of our history, if they cannot design something to work in sympatico with them, try again!

I strongly object to this Light Rail proposal as it is currently presented. it does not serve my community at all, and cuts an intrusive swathe through an otherwise quiet and green village style community and park lands. This is careless and irresponsible town planning at its worst, with artist impressions that describe a lie! Where are the overhead wires in you art-scape? And, with mature trees that look to have been there at least 20 already. Another Cahill Expressway/Circular Quay eyesore of the future!
Meanwhile, the communities of East Redfern and Waterloo get no benefit from this proposal either! If this project eventuates I hope every bureaucratic twerp involved were vain enough to put your name to it, so generations to come will know who to blame.

Recently I've found out about some of the impacts of having the light rail in my area. I live in Anzac pde Kensington and it would be going and stopping outside my place.
My concerns include:
the lost of already very limited parking (plus we have Peter's of Kensington visitors and the Race, football & cricket goers)
more traffic congestion
the cost to travel on the light rail is much more expensive than bus- so I probably won't use it and others would feel the same
we already have a wonderful public transport system of buses in this area...perhaps putting the funding to areas in the west would be benefit from better public transport.
the removal of trees from the footpaths which decreasing shade and decreases biodiversity- less habitats and less food for native animals including the endangered flying fox.
limited right turning into side streets (which has alreadly be reduced over the years)
extra noise and vibrations from the light rail
extra noise at my immediate location due to the installation of traffic lights.
I am against the light rail in the Eastern suburbs. Would prefer to see the money being put into public transport in other areas or in country locations.

I am not in favour of any rail going up Devonshire Street. I have worked in the area for a number of years and I think the light rail that is being considered will totally destroy the feel of the place, not to mention the noise it will create for residents, forcing more vehicles into the side streets for parking (which is almost impossible now already) removal of trees and the demolition of houses along the planned route.

Not a good idea at all, we should learn from other cities and put it underground

Dear Sir / Madam

Submission re Sydney CBD and South East Light Rail Project
- Objection to removal of trees including heritage and significant trees

I am writing on behalf of the membership of Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services Inc. (Sydney Wildlife). Sydney Wildlife is a voluntary charitable organisation comprising approximately 450 members licensed by the Office of Environment and Heritage to rescue, rehabilitate and release native fauna across the greater Sydney basin.

Whilst our membership recognises the need for improved public transport for commuters it is felt the current design will have significant adverse impacts on the environment & heritage of the area. In particular the removal of a large number of trees (760 trees) many of which are significant and some heritage listed (e.g. Fig trees).

These trees provide significant habitat for native fauna species in particular the Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), a species listed as threatened under the NSW Threatened Species Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. This animal is a keystone species and primary pollinator of native trees in both NSW and QLD. During the spring-summer season, lactating females carrying young often require a number of stopping points (trees) between roosting sites and feeding grounds. There are two known roosting sites within the Sydney CBD, - Centennial Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Lactating females use canopy trees in surrounding areas as resting points whilst carrying non-flying, dependent young.

Sydney Wildlife requests the following points are considered, that the:
* Light rail design be reviewed and adjusted to avoid the loss of existing mature, healthy trees, especially in the areas of High Cross Park, Alison Road/Randwick Racecourse, Anzac Parade/Alison Road, and Wansey Road/Randwick Racecourse.
* Light Rail route be relocated to ensure trees along Alison Road / Randwick;Racecourse, which are mature (around 100 years old) and healthy, and currently provide significant visual, amenity & heritage value for residents and visitors, remain protected and preserved;
* Entire project employ wire-free running (as planned for the George Street alignment) to avoid negative impacts on tree canopies and wildlife;
* Project employ qualified arboriculturalists during both design and construction to ensure the most recent methods for assessing trees & impacts are employed and that trees are not negatively impacted during construction;
* High Cross Park interchange be relocated to High Street where it will ensure easy hospital access (especially for less mobile passengers), while conserving High Cross Park. High Cross Park marks the junction of early walking tracks used by indigenous peoples and the first European visitors. Today, the park hosts a number of important civic and community ceremonies and provides green recreation space.
* The Light Rail alignment on Wansey Road be relocated into Royal Randwick Racecourse to ensure the preservation of a large number of significant trees that positively contribute to the visual & landscape character in and around the racecourse, as well as amenity value for pedestrians, tourists and local residents.
* This alignment should be redirected into Royal Randwick Racecourse land. This would maximise potential for significant tree retention. This would also reduce the impacts upon the adjacent residential properties. Furthermore, it would improve the experiences of light rail passengers, as they will be able to enjoy the visual amenity provided by the trees.
* That the significant trees located in Tay Reserve (corner Alison Road and Anzac Parade) be preserved and alternative alignments be explored to . These trees are of significant heritage value and also provide habitat for native species.

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate contact the undersigned.

Yours sincerely

Sonja Elwood
Chairperson