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 risks.

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 submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

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

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

Regards,

Eric Johnston
59A Isis Street, Wahroonga, NSW 2076

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 submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

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

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

Regards,

Shelley Johnston
59A Isis Street, Wahroonga, NSW 2076

Mervyn and Beth Degenhardt
Rosetta Park
Unit 607
1634 Pacific Highway
Wahroonga NSW 2076

12 September 2014

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

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

We have lived on and off in this local area for over 40 years and recently moved back of our retirement believing this to be a healthy, leafy suburb.

We write in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex as are greatly concerned about the NorthConnex tunnel and request our below objections be considered by NorthConnex and the Department of Planning:

1. The currently proposed location for the ventilation stack is in close proximity of a large number of local schools and pre-schools and at risk of affecting the health wellbeing of young, growing, minds and bodies. Also in proximity of a large number of retirement and elderly care facilities - of which we are part.

2. There are a large number of comprehensive studies on the impact of air pollutants and risks regarding serious health issues and we would like these studies to be considered. Examples of increased disease and identifiable health risk include-poor lung development, autism and congenital heart defects for infants and young children, increased risks of lung cancer, stroke and asthma for adults and the elderly. These studies confirm air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans and are causes of the above health problems.

3. We are concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceeded above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

4. We are concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel and it's earmarked as a heavy freight bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions are classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

5. We are concerned this project includes future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas. This further increases the risks of emissions remaining at ground level in a natural valley area where frequent low wind speeds and increases exposure for the local community to pollutants. We object to NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposals when this cannot be verified.


6. We consider there are multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
I. extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
II. The use of a coarse topographical model
III. The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
IV. the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield rather than closer to areas nearby and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5

7. We request a full and transparent options assessment process be undertaken for alternative designs for this project. Wahroonga is a unique area and there are alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas - unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney.

8. We are concerned that the justification for not providing filtration for the stacks is cursory and unconvincing.

We support the CAPS Submission and request that the following actions are undertaken:

I. The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
II. An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
III. To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
IV. A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
V. A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
VI. An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
VII. Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
VIII. The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
IX. 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.


Mervyn and Beth Degenhardt
Rosetta Park
Unit 607
1634 Pacific Highway
Wahroonga NSW 2076

Please Find Below my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

I object the current design of the Northconnex project as described in the EIS.

I am concerned about the proposed location of the northern pollution stack for the Northconnex tunnel. So much evidence is available today that tells a much different story to what is being presented to the community via constant leaflets from Northconnex.

It has been proven that the stack will be in very close proximity to a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga. Where 9,300 school children (including myself), aged care facilities, hospitals and the general public will be exposed to toxic air pollutants which have been proven to have detrimental impact to health.

It has been suggested by multiple large scale studies that the effects on health of such exposure are detrimental. Increasing 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.

In summary, it has been made very clear by the Northconnex team, that the health implications on the local residents are negligible, and that their air quality modelling has been extensive and thorough. However upon further investigation, it has been made apparent by research conducted by reputable organisations (AMA, CAPS, local doctors) that this could not be further from the truth giving reason for great concern about their air quality modelling, due to the following factors;

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.


It has been made very clear by many professionals, both paid and unpaid by the Northconnex team, that the reasoning for the location of the northern pollution stack, is cost based. Why is such a pollution stack that is so obviously detrimental to the health of the local community being allowed in such a location due to cost? Transurban are a company looking to make a profit from this project, via charging tolls per customer that passes through the tunnel. Why should local residents have to suffer via health issues and loss in property values? Simply so Transurban can make a profit? This is clearly unjust and unmoral.

It concerns me that viable alternatives to the placement and design of the current model appear to be left completely unconsidered. Proposed amendments such as the Equlibria Proposal appear to be completely overlooked, despite their obvious benefits over the current model. This proposal would allow for reduced emissions (horizontal tunnel), the removal of the stack from a densely populated area. Most bizarrely, the proposal allows for money to be recouped via the sale of property on which the current M1 stands. Giving benefits to not just the local community, but Transurban, and the State and Federal Governments.



To address my concerns, I sincerely 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.

Please find below my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex and comments on "Community update 5 (September 2014)

I support the project in principle, however I object to the project as described in the EIS.

I am deeply concerned about the following issues and request that my concerns be considered by the Department of Planning and the NorthConnex.

With regards to the tunnels, I am concerned about:

1. The lack of height and placement of Northern ventilation stack in the centre of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga.

2. Wahroonga and surrounding areas will be exposed to varying concentrations of exhaust fumes coming from the stack and the portal without consideration to wind direction and weather inversion in the valley.

3. There are a large number of school children who will be exposed to these concentration of fumes. There are also a large number of elderly and immune suppressed persons in multiple aged care facilities, hospitals and homes.

4. There have been multiple large scale research studies that suggest the impacts of air pollution on health are serious and long term. These include increased risks of lung problems, risks of lung cancer, stroke, poor lung growth in children, asthma and death from heart disease.

5. Recent research is suggesting the risk of low birth weight of children due to affected pregnant women, increased risk of congenital heart defects and increased risk of autism. These studies have confirmed that air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause the above health problems.

6. The project and any future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas is of great concern. Any portal emissions can occur as a result of wind direction into the entrance of the tunnel, the speed of vehicles. This will increase the amount of polluted air through the tunnel and the extraction fans will not be designed and commissioned for this event. These polluting emissions will remain at ground level and spread around the populated area and hence exposing the local population to these pollutants. NorthConnex's claim that there will be no portal emissions from the current proposal have not be verified as not all possible conditions have been investigated.

7. There will be a large amount of diesel fuel emissions emitting into the tunnel due to the freight trucks bypassing Pennant Hills road. Pennant Hills road is open to the atmosphere along its full length and hence the emissions will disperse along its full length. The tunnel however is collecting the emissions along its full length of 9 km and the fumes are being pushed along the tunnel by "Jet Fans" at ceiling level. These emissions are being increasingly concentrated along its length and then partially being exhausted through the stack and the remainder will be emitted out of the portal. Also more and more vehicle are being converted to diesel fuel in lieu of petrol and this will increase the diesel fuel emission in the tunnel.

8. Diesel fuel emissions are classified carcinogenic by the WHO. Diesel fuel emissions contain a larger number of fine particles that can penetrate deep into the lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

9. The air quality within the tunnels is shown in the EIS to exceed the standards for pollutants, such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter towards the end of the tunnel. If there is a traffic hold up or the traffic is slow (due to a breakdown in the tunnel or further along the expressway), the fuel emissions into the tunnel will increase even further.

10. There are multiple inconsistencies in the air quality monitoring and modelling of he northern stack in the EIS. These include:

i) the failure to consider pollutants taking into the intake portal from the Pennants Hills/M2 interchange as part of the air quality at Wahroonga.
ii) the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5.

iii) the use of a coarse topographical model.

iv) extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations. These do not reflect the local meteorology. Little consideration appears to have been given to the local topography and the orientation of the valley including prevailing wind conditions. These would indicate that if the stack is not high enough above the ridges the plume will be directed toward the ground or if no wind exists the plume will drop to the ground.

v) the apparent lack of consideration in the event there is a fire in the tunnel, particularly at the entrance to the tunnel and the resultant pollutants emitting from the fire being pushed along the tunnel by the "jet fans" and the effect this has on the persons within the tunnel.

11. a full and transparent options assessment process was not undertaken to assess alternative designs for the project. Unlike other tunnel projects in the greater Sydney metropolitan area there were alternatives for locating the stack(s) and portals in non-residential areas.

12. the justification for not providing filtration for the stacks is not convincing and lacks prove. Mentioning other tunnel projects to demonstrate no need for filtration is irrelevant to this tunnel as this tunnel is the longest at 9 km and the collection of emissions along the full length provides a different concentration level than for shorter tunnels.

13. I strongly object to a comparison being made by NorthConnex in the Community update 5 with "wood fired heaters in the Sydney Basin ..accounting for more than 50 % of particulate matter" to support the project. This refers to the whole of the Greater Metropolitan Area and not to a concentrated location such as the exhaust stack.

14. I strongly object to a statement made by NorthConnex in the Community update 5 that "Road tunnels and ventilation outlets do not generate pollution: vehicles using both surface roads and tunnels are the cause of the emissions, ...". What NorthConex appears to be misunderstanding is that the tunnels and the stacks are concentrating emissions from vehicles using the tunnels and the surface road vehicles are not the cause of the emissions from the tunnels and the stacks.


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

a) An independent options assessment process be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals such as some 1 km further North.
b) An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim for no portal emissions is justified.
c) An independent review be undertaken to consider intermediate exhaust system stacks to alleviate concentration levels and smoke exhausting in case of a fire in the tunnels.
d) To undertake a life cycle analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration.
e) The air quality and human health impact assessment be revised to address the issues raised above.
f) A comprehensive air quality air quality monitoring program be developed, implemented and maintained.
g) Portal emissions from the tunnels be eliminated by control of the exhaust fans.
h) A long term health study on children and adults in the areas impacted by the stack and portal discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
i) The Submission Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
j) The Department of Planning and Environment 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.
k) That the EIS includes the intention of local traffic management in and around the work sites to limit the current congestion in some of the local street.
l) That the tunnel construction be reconsidered for four lanes each way to take into consideration the intention to construct a container wharf in Newcastle thus considerable increasing freight traffic on the M1.
m) That NorthConnex cease supporting their case for the project with irrelevant and non supporting information.

12 September 2014




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

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

We respond to the recent exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex. and wish to submit our objection to the project as described in the EIS.

We have lived in the local area for over 20 years and originally moved up here because of the wonderful environment for bringing up a family.

The currently proposed placement of the northern ventilation stack in a unique, leafy suburb where a large number of families and elderly residents have chosen to reside due to peaceful, healthy, natural environs. We are most concerned that a ventilation stack is proposed for close proximity to a large number of schools and local support networks for young children, families, the elderly and local health facilities when there are numerous other options.

We are concerned about the NorthConnex tunnel for a number of reasons and request that the below be considered by NorthConnex and the Department of Planning.

1. Principally we are concerned about the location of a ventilation stack within a densely populated suburban area in Wahroonga, and in close proximity approximately 10,000 local school and pre school children. My wife has worked with young children in the local area for the last 20 years and currently within a local primary school and we are concerned for the health and wellbeing of young childrens' growing bodies and developing minds.

2. The proposed location of the northern ventilation stack in the valley natural of Wahroonga (where there are often low wind speeds)increases the risk of exposure for the local community because of high levels of pollution form the tunnel requiring dispersion.

3. The proposed area for the ventilation stack is also within close proximity to a large number of aged care facilities and hospitals and again is a health concern, especially as we have recently moved my wife's parents to Wahroonga to reside in the healthy surrounds of this area.

4. My wife has worked with young children in the local area for the last 20 years, currently employed within a local primary school. We are most concerned about the large number of comprehensive research studies around the impact of air pollutants and risks regarding serious health issues, increase of disease and health risks for infants and children (poor lung development, autism, congenital heart defects). While increase risks to health and well-being is a concerns for all local residents (increased risks around asthma, lung cancer, stroke) principal consideration should always be given to the health and welfare of young children.

5. With my wife having chronic asthma it is of particular concern also that The avove studies confirm air pollutants has prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans exacerbating the above health problems. We are concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel and it's being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions are 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. My wife is a chronic asthmatic and this is of particular concern.

6. We are additionally concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level. With increased exposure to pollutants tor the local population we are concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal when their statement is without verification.

7. We are concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceeded above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel and concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
1) extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
2) The use of a coarse topographical model
3) The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
4) the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield rather than closer to areas nearby and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5
5)
8. We are concerned a full and transparent options assessment process was not undertaken for alternative designs for the project. Unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney there are a number of alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas and this is unforgivable to `forever change' such a unique suburb when significant other options are available.

9. We are concerned that the justification for not providing filtration for the stacks is cursory and unconvincing.

We support the recent CAPS Submission and 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.

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

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

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

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.

This is a submission.
NorthConnex application number: SSI 13_6136
I am opposed to this project unless it provides adequate ventilation well away from residential areas. I attended the Doctors Against Pollution and was alarmed at the potentially hazardous situation.