The placement of the motorways will negatively affect the health of ourselves and to our families, especially to our children due to the amount of carbon dioxide that will be released into the air.

To: The Assessor
Major Projects
Department of Planning and Environment
NSW Government

Re: Application Number SSI 13-6136 Northconnex Tunnel

I live in a heritage listed house in the immediate vicinity of the proposed North entrance to the Northconnex tunnel and ventilation stack, There are 200 or more such heritage items in the area.

For many years the NSW Department of Planning and Environment and Ku ring gai and Hornsby Councils, have required us to maintain our houses to preserve their cultural integrity for the benefit of the community,. It is inconsistent with this objective for the Department to approve a 30 metre modern concrete chimney as the backdrop to these heritage items. I note that in the EIS the effect of the Project on heritage listed housing has not been properly considered.

I believe it is inappropriate for this tunnel entrance and stackto be located in a densely populated area. There are 20,000 residents and visitors, including 9,000+ school children within the immediate vicinity of the stack each working day. The health effects of an unventilated veicle exhaust stack on such a poulation could be disastrous. It seems mathematicallyincongruos for Minister Gay to suggest that there will be a 38% reduction in pollution but that the unfiltered air coming out of the stack will result in only a 0.001% increase in pollution.A large legal liability for health damage and deaths seems likely.

I endorse the CAPS submission in relation to this application.

I believe that, instead of being located in a densely populated area, the tunnel entrance and ventilation stack should be located approximately 2km north on the M1, past the Leighton Place, Hornsby Industrial Area approximately due east of Stokes Avenue Asquith. This is in bushland controlled by the NSW Government,

Several major power lines and other pieces of infrastructure are located in that area, The population is sparse.

I attnded several community forums and wished to ask a question of the panel but on each occasion the convenor was more interest in finishing on time than allowing the many hands up to ask the questions they came to ask. Surely this kind of approach was not what was intended by the legislation

I think it is strange that the Government has approved the Northconnex design without any real discussion or consultation on other approaches or designs to solve the problem of Pennnant Hills Road congestion. I support the concept of a tunnel starting in the bushland through whigh the M1 passes southbound before vehicles arrive at the densely populated area of Wahroonga. If the tunnel entrance and ventilation stack is located there it will not be neccessary to have a significant downhill gradient at the entrance to the tunnel southbound. A similar problem with gradient at the end of the M5 tunnel westbound causes trucks to slow down markedly on ascent at the West exit causing traffic delays frequently. if the M1 enters the tunnel horizontally at its lowest point in Asquith this roadblock problem will not arise.

Finally i believe the EIS is deficient in many ways in not considering many effects as required by law, including air quality effects via multistorey building air measurements (ours is a two storey Federation building).

I believe the documentation issued by Northconnex is misleading and deceptive in many respects and its use as the basis for community consultation will not withstand challenge in a court of law, which will be a cost burden to the Department and the people of NSW.

I request that the Project not be approved.

Kind regards

Ian Maxton

.

Please find below my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

I am extremely concerned with regards to following issues & appreciate your due consideration. I appreciate the project team's efforts to respond to concerns that have been raised, but the following concerns remain:

1.Northern Ventilation stack's placement in the midst of densely populated residential area surrounded by number of primary schools , aged care facilities & hospitals is extremely distressing & concerning to me & my neighbours.

2. No independent assessment has been carried out with regards to Environmental impact submitted by NorthConnex project. NorthConnex EIS submission does not address the placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley in Wahroonga where there are often low wind speeds, which will result in poor dispersion and exposure to community to high levels of tunnel emission.

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.

4.I am concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level, and hence exposing the local population to pollutants. I am also concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal cannot be verified.

5.I am concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel, as it is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and also contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

6.I am concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to exceed the above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

7.I am concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
a)extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
b)The use of a coarse topographical model
c)The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
d)the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5
I therefore question the assurances that the tunnel will improve air quality near my home by taking emissions currently dispersed at roadside and dispersing them high into the atmosphere.

8.I am concerned that a full and transparent options assessment process was not undertaken to assess alternative designs for the project. Unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney there are alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas, including in the industrial area of Hornsby.

9. Given the above concerns, I find the justification for not providing filtration for the stacks cursory and unconvincing.

To address my concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:

1.The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
2.An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
3.To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
4.A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
5.A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
6.An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
7.Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
8.The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
9.The Department does not approve the project in its current form as it clearly does not meet the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Shashi Anupindi
Woonona Ave
Wahroonga 2076

I am submitting an objection to the NorthConnex M1-M2 tunnel because there has to be filtration in the tunnel not stacks to disburse the pollution. There needs to be world class filtration to cover future medical issues. Overseas this is considered essential why not here. Reading reports from both groups of the North and South Stacks it is evident that experts need to be called in to address this issue. Transurban just want to push this through at the cheapest possible price without true regard for peoples health. It is up to Government to stop this and readdress.

To Whom It May Concern:

Re: Proposed M2 integration work as a part of NorthConnex

We are writing in response to your letters dated 17 March 2014 and 27 August 2014 regarding the proposed M2 integration work.

My husband and I are the owners of the property 19 Williams Road, North Rocks.

Our understanding is that you intend to add a continuation of an additional westbound lane for the M1-M2 on the Hills M2 Motorway to the Windsor Road off-ramp and also the relocation of existing operational noise walls along the westbound carriageway.

This is directly behind our property.

We have several serious concerns regarding the proposed M2 integration work as follows:

* The loss of our beautiful bush outlook.
* The loss of the nature and wildlife that live in the bush including the fairy wren birds and water dragons.
* The additional noise due to the loss of trees that have acted as a barrier to the noise of the M2.
* The additional noise due to the widening of the M2 which will bring the M2 closer to our property.
* Additional pollution due to the loss of the tall trees that currently act as a barrier to the M2.
* Additional pollution due to the extra number of cars per day intended to travel on the motorway.
* The effect the additional pollution will have on our young children.
* That the additional vibrations of the roadworks will further affect the foundations of our property.
* The loss of value to our property due to all of the above points.
* When we purchased the house we were informed by the M2 that extension of the M2 behind our property would never happen. We were assured that there was no proposed widening of the M2.

We implore you to please take our views into consideration. We are a young family living in our first home and are extremely distressed at the prospect of such disastrous roadworks will have on our current happy family home and life. Please, please, please don't extend the M2 behind our home.

12 September 2014

Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment
Number: SSI 13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Via online form: http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6136

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

Please find below my/our submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

Firstly I/we would like to state we object to the project as described in the EIS.

I/We 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 the 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. For instance, this is only going to be 450m from Abbotsleigh junior school where hundreds of children run around and exercise each day and are going to be breathing in the non filtered carcinogenic ultra fine particles from 9 km of road!!

2. The placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley in Wahroonga where there are often low wind speeds, which will result in poor dispersion and exposure to community to high levels of tunnel emission. Why should residents have to have this pollutant sitting in the air they breath?

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.

4. I am concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level, and hence exposing the local population to pollutants. I am also concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal cannot be verified.

5. I am concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel, as it is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and also contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

6. I am concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceedences above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

7. I am concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
a) extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
b) The use of a coarse topographical model
c) The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
d) the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5

8. I/we am concerned that a full and transparent options assessment process was not undertaken to assess alternative designs for the project. Unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney there are alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas.

9. I am concerned that the justification for not providing filtration for the stacks is cursory and unconvincing.

To address my/our concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:

1. The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
2. An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
3. To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
4. A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
5. A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
6. An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
7. Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
8. The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
9. The Department does not approve the project in its current form as it clearly does not meet the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.


XXXXXXX
XXXXXXX

I am writting with Concerns regarding the proposed works to the M2 motorway for the North Connex expansion, and in response to your letter dated 17 March 214 and 27 August 2014.

My wife and I are the owner / residents on Williams Rd, North rocks.

After reviwing the proposed plans for the M2 expansions I wish to express some concerns regarding both the plans and the systems previously used to make determinations on elegibility for for sound proofing measures.

I have concern regarding the plan to add the additional westbound lane (to exit at Windsor road), meaning that the southern side of the road will be moved closer to the houses.

During the previous expansion with an additional east bound lane, some residents on Williams road were offered an assessment regarding sound proofing. This process was conducted based on a visual assessment (no sound readings were taken), additionally this was done, prior too the works being completed.

As part of this expansion the wall on the northern side of the road was raised, while (despite neumerous requests and petitions), the wall on the south side was not raised. This process has already lead to an increase in the noise received from the M2, since I purchased the property, here at 11 Williams rd, North Rocks, as the sound now bounces from the northern wall.

Additionally the height of the wall also means that there is a direct line of sight to heavey vehicles using the M2 from window in my house, many of which have stack exhausts that make the wall completely ineffective. (The noise at night often activating our baby monitor or drowning our our newborns crying).

Additionally the road side of the northern wall was painted in a fluro orange colour, which is a tremendous eye saw.

In addition to these concerns which exist as a result of an unsatisfactory outcomes from the last expansions, I hold concerns that this additional lane will,
Destroy out Bushland views and the habitats that exist within them.
Increased noise due to; A. The roadway being in closer proximity to out house
B. The removal of tress that currently assist with dampening the noise (where the wall currenlty does an unsatisactory job.
Increase air pollution in the area, due to closer proximity and increased traffic.
the risk of damage to our property as a direct or indirect result of the works.

In relation to this concerns I fear for the health our my newborn son, any future children we have, as well as the potential significant loss in value to our property.

I am happy to send photos if this will assist in clarrifying any of these issues, or welcome an arranged visit by a member(s) of your office to see these issues for them selves.

To Whom It May Concern:

Re: Proposed M2 integration work as a part of NorthConnex

I am the owner of the property 17 Williams Road, North Rocks.

Our understanding is that you intend to add a continuation of an additional westbound lane for the M1-M2 on the Hills M2 Motorway to the Windsor Road off-ramp and also the relocation of existing operational noise walls along the westbound carriageway.

This is directly behind my property.

I have several serious concerns regarding the proposed M2 integration work as follows:

* The loss of the beautiful bush outlook.
* The loss of the nature and wildlife that live in the bush.
* The additional noise due to the loss of trees that have acted as a barrier to the noise of the M2.
* The additional noise due to the widening of the M2 which will bring the M2 closer to our property.
* Additional pollution due to the loss of the tall trees that currently act as a barrier to the M2.
* Additional pollution due to the extra number of cars per day intended to travel on the motorway.
* The effect the additional pollution will have on my health.
* That the additional vibrations of the roadworks will further affect the foundations of myproperty.
* The loss of value to my property due to all of the above points.

The present plan for the south-west tunnel exit and entrance ramp to the M1 is deplorable. The ramp is basically going through the backyards of the Coral Tree Drive residents. The thousands of trucks that we are being assured that will be taken off Pennant Hills Road are virtually going to be 'parked' on this ramp. There will be a 'slow-down' effect as they move from the ramp into the main lane of the M2. These trucks will also have been 'climbing' from the tunnel & therefore emissions will be of greater concentration. No consideration is being given to the health & well-being of these residents & their young children.
Originally, the exit from the tunnel was to be somewhere near Barclay Road, in bushland rather than in close proximity to homes. A re-assessment of this plan must be undertaken.

Dear Director - Infrastructure Projects

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

This is my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

I would like to state that I object to the location of the northern ventilation stack and portal exit as described in the EIS.

I am extremely concerned about that
the proposed location of the northern ventilation stack is in the centre of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga. Vast medical research indicates that air pollution is extremely harmful to the health of human beings and that there are no safe limits for air pollution. Any extra pollution from the stack is purely unnecessary to local residential area.
I request that the Department of Planning does not approve the project in its current form due to the significant health concerns. I also request that the Department of Planning consider to relocate the stack to a non-residential area, such as industrial or park land areas.