I oppose the North Connex proposal. I oppose the construction of a tunnel through residential areas particularly with regard to the inordinate length of the tunnel, the time and intensity of the construction period and the resulting toxicity from concentrated fumes. This is not the logical option. Concentrating more vehicles especially large trucks into such a confined area is an accident waiting to happen. And where is the room for expansion? This is not the answer.

As already documented in the proposal, construction works are expected to severely impact our localised area with huge numbers of trucks and heavy equipment congesting and blocking our access streets over a long period of time. This is unacceptable.

The Sydney bypass proposal is a far superior plan. This proposal provides for more traffic distribution options, is better for long haul operaters and allows for future expansion.

And really, do we want to keep building toll roads for ourselves and future generations to be continually subject to these outrageously expensive tolls at the whim of the operators? I think it's time for goverments, State, Local and Federal to once again step up to infrastructure resposibilities to the community.

I am totally opposed to the NorthConnex M1-M2 Project. It is flawed from all aspects.

Submission
Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment Number: SSI13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

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 we 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. 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.

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

1. Due to the significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the department of planning
does not approve the project in it's current form.

Or if the project is still going ahead, the following measure / control should be implemented with the tunnel to mitigate any pollution.

2. I also request that a taller stack / chimey to evaluate in the report than this 25m tall stack / chimney. i.e. 100m tall stack should be investigated. As taller the stack, less pollution to the surrounding area.

3. A proper filtration system / method should be implemented in the tunnel in order to mitigate any pollution to the public. Currently there is no filtration system is allowed prior the emission of pollutant.

4. An on-going particle monitoring system - Particle analyser / instrument for any particle upto 0.001 micron in size. This analyser should be installed in the tunnel and after the filtration system.

Best Regards,

Submission
Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment Number: SSI13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

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 we 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. 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.

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

1. Due to the significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the department of planning
does not approve the project in it's current form.

Or if the project is still going ahead, the following measure / control should be implemented with the tunnel to mitigate any pollution.

2. I also request that a taller stack / chimey to evaluate in the report than this 25m tall stack / chimney. i.e. 100m tall stack should be investigated. As taller the stack, less pollution to the surrounding area.

3. A proper filtration system / method should be implemented in the tunnel in order to mitigate any pollution to the public. Currently there is no filtration system is allowed prior the emission of pollutant.

4. An on-going particle monitoring system - Particle analyser / instrument for any particle upto 0.001 micron in size. This analyser should be installed in the tunnel and after the filtration system.

Best Regards,

Submission
Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment Number: SSI13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

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 we 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. 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.

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

1. Due to the significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the department of planning
does not approve the project in it's current form.

Or if the project is still going ahead, the following measure / control should be implemented with the tunnel to mitigate any pollution.

2. I also request that a taller stack / chimey to evaluate in the report than this 25m tall stack / chimney. i.e. 100m tall stack should be investigated. As taller the stack, less pollution to the surrounding area.

3. A proper filtration system / method should be implemented in the tunnel in order to mitigate any pollution to the public. Currently there is no filtration system is allowed prior the emission of pollutant.

4. An on-going particle monitoring system - Particle analyser / instrument for any particle upto 0.001 micron in size. This analyser should be installed in the tunnel and after the filtration system.

Best Regards,

Abigail Leung
7 Ancona Road, Turramurra, NSW 2074

Submission
Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment Number: SSI13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

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 we 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. 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.

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

1. Due to the significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the department of planning
does not approve the project in it's current form.

Or if the project is still going ahead, the following measure / control should be implemented with the tunnel to mitigate any pollution.

2. I also request that a taller stack / chimey to evaluate in the report than this 25m tall stack / chimney. i.e. 100m tall stack should be investigated. As taller the stack, less pollution to the surrounding area.

3. A proper filtration system / method should be implemented in the tunnel in order to mitigate any pollution to the public. Currently there is no filtration system is allowed prior the emission of pollutant.

4. An on-going particle monitoring system - Particle analyser / instrument for any particle upto 0.001 micron in size. This analyser should be installed in the tunnel and after the filtration system.

Best Regards,

Julie Leung
7 Ancona Road, Turramurra, NSW 2074

Submission
Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment Number: SSI13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

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 we 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. 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.

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

1. Due to the significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the department of planning
does not approve the project in it's current form.

Or if the project is still going ahead, the following measure / control should be implemented with the tunnel to mitigate any pollution.

2. I also request that a taller stack / chimey to evaluate in the report than this 25m tall stack / chimney. i.e. 100m tall stack should be investigated. As taller the stack, less pollution to the surrounding area.

3. A proper filtration system / method should be implemented in the tunnel in order to mitigate any pollution to the public. Currently there is no filtration system is allowed prior the emission of pollutant.

4. An on-going particle monitoring system - Particle analyser / instrument for any particle upto 0.001 micron in size. This analyser should be installed in the tunnel and after the filtration system.

Best Regards,

Raymond Leung
7 Ancona Road, Turramurra, NSW 2074

I endorse the attached SCAPS Group submissions

Decision makers must exercise the "Precautionary Principle"

In Leatch, Stein J took this starting point and described the precautionary principle as a 'statement of commonsense'. He continued: It is directed towards the prevention of serious or irreversible harm to the environment in situations of scientific uncertainty. Its premise is that where uncertainty exists concerning the nature or scope of environmental harm (whether this follows from policies, decisions or activities), decision makers should be cautious.

The Honourable Justice Paul Stein (1996) "The Role of the Land and Environment Court in the Emergence of Public Interest Environmental Law" 13 Environmental and Planning Law Journal 179.

The Honourable Justice Paul Stein AM (2000) "Are Decision-makers too Cautious with the Precautionary Principle 17 Environmental Planning and Law Journal 1 at 3 left to join Court of Appeal in 1997

There seems to be a clear case for caution here. There is a mountain of scientific evidence to indicate that there will be considerable serious and irreversible harm to the environment (in this case the people).

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

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

Firstly I would like to state that I 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.

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/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.

10. I am concerned that there was no consideration for traffic jams, breakdowns, complete halt of traffic and accidents within and nearby the tunnel.
 

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. There are several existing tunnels which can be took for better modeling
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. E.g. monitoring stations deployed in the appropriate locations for 3 years prior any construction can begin and all data to be easily available to public at all times.
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.

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

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

Firstly I would like to state that I 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.

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/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.

10. I am concerned that there was no consideration for traffic jams, breakdowns, complete halt of traffic and accidents within and nearby the tunnel.
 

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. There are several existing tunnels which can be took for better modeling
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. E.g. monitoring stations deployed in the appropriate locations for 3 years prior any construction can begin and all data to be easily available to public at all times.
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.