I have been involved with North Byron Parklands as a contractor for several years now through the trial period. When any issues have arisen they have been managed carefully. The work that has been done to rehabilitate what was originally a degraded pasture for cows has been astonishing. The application shows a number of concessions have been made in relation to co-existing with the local community. The owners have been consultative, operate with integrity and support many local community groups.

North Byron Parklands is an invaluable asset in Northern NSW and for local arts and music. It employs a wide range of people locally for each event, people who would not have jobs, let alone employment at these kinds of creative events. Access to working at Parklands also allows people to gain highly specialised skills in a regional area which makes the venue very unique. I whole heartedly support this application for Parklands to become a permanent home for music, culture and arts in the Northern Rivers.

Submission regarding Environmental Impact Statement (SSI 14_6788) - New M5

To the Director, Major Planning Assessments, Department of Planning
I am a resident of Beverly Hills and mother to two small children and I am very concerned about the impacts that the proposed New M5 will have on my family and suburb and on the other communities such as St Peters that will be greatly affected by this project. I oppose the approval of this project, given the numerous negative impacts that that it will have.
My concerns include:
Air Pollution
* Greatly increased exposure to air pollution for my family and suburb from the additional traffic that will be created by the project:
o Pollution from more vehicles on the widened surface roads between King Georges Rd and the new tunnels
o Pollution from the ventilation stacks and tunnel portal from the new tunnels, which will only be a few hundred metres from my home, our local playpark (at Beverly Hills park - now home to an air monitoring station; there is also a child care centre adjacent to the park), and the primary school my children may attend.
o Pollution from the increased traffic on the major arterial rolls nearby, such as King Georges Rd and Stoney Creek Rd, from both vehicles accessing the M5 and those vehicles trying to avoid the new toll on the M5 by using local roads instead.
o Pollution from vehicles rat-running through our local streets such as Taroonga Terrace (which provide a route between Kingsgrove Rd and King Georges Rd), especially as the new tunnels will not be accessible from Kingsgrove Rd. Moorefields Rd will also be affected.
o Air pollution from construction activities.
o I note that the 2014 report entitled "Initial Report on Tunnel Air Quality" by the NSW Government Advisory Committee on Tunnel Air Quality states that "Exposure to motor vehicle pollution is linked to several adverse health outcomes - ranging from irritation of the airways to early mortality. Reducing this exposure will provide various public health benefits, including improved cardiovascular and respiratory health and reduced rates of cancer." I find it distressing that this project will add further air pollution to an area already burdened by the existing M5 and major arterials such as King Georges Rd.
o I think it is unethical to justify the impact of ventilation stacks etc by saying that they won't make a measurable difference to local air quality. Firstly, its not ok to add more pollution just because some is already there - the effects are cumulative; secondly - perhaps more sensitive measurement techniques and/or statistical test with greater power would in fact measure the increase in levels of pollutants from a facility ventilating a 9km tunnel used by many vehicles including diesel trucks; and thirdly, as stated in the report noted above pollutants such as PM2.5 have no known lower limit below which there is no health effect .
* Increased exposure to air pollution for people at the other end of the tunnels and people living near local roads that will now be much more congested. This includes both residents and other visitors such as children and families using Sydney Park.
* Potential for exposure to highly toxic fumes for people near ventilation stacks if smoke from an emergency incident needs to be vented out.
* I also object to a lack of filtration on the proposed ventilation stacks. Despite continual claims that filtration is not necessary and would have no impact I note that a report on the trial of M5 filtration (referenced in the 2014 report noted above) found there was the estimated annual health benefit of $56,000 from filtration (via removal of 200kg of particulate matter ). While it was noted that this came at an annual operating cost of $760,000, this cost could easily be recouped by a very small levy on the toll that would be placed on the new M5. Given that one of the key principles set out for the WestConnex is `user-pays' I think it is entirely fair and logical that the price paid by the user should also include a small amount towards the cost of mitigating the pollution and health effects of their trip.
Noise
* Increased noise pollution, e.g.
o 24 hour per day construction noise
o Loss of noise barriers during construction
o Permanent loss of the mature vegetation now present between the M5 and neighbouring residential areas
o Continuous noise from the ventilation systems at the portals
Loss of vegetation, biodiversity and open spaces
* I am very concerned at the loss of the ironbark forests near Beverly Hills. Their significance is highlighted by the fact that their protection was a condition of approval for the existing M5.
* I am also very concerned about the loss of parks adjacent to the M5 between King Georges Rd and the tunnel entrance.
* I am concerned about the visual, noise and environmental impacts of loss of the mature vegetation now running alongside the M5 and adjacent walkways.
Visual
* The existing M5 is currently screened from view from Beverly Hills by mature vegetation and the `mound'. All this will be lost, with resulting impacts on amenity and property prices.

Social
* Increased cost of living due to paying a toll to travel on a road that is currently free (M5)
* Decreased tax-payer funds available for more beneficial projects in the transport arena (such as public transport and rail freight) and or alternatively in any other state government funded domain.
* Possible impediments to future improvements in public transport if the future operators of the tolled M5 are given non-competition clauses in their contracts.
* Loss of open space/parkland.

I also object to the project as it has so many detrimental effects and few real benefits. Objectives such as reduced congestion on the current M5 could be achieved in other ways that are less expensive and/or less harmful. For example, a toll placed on the existing M5 would reduce congestion without having to spend money on a new road. Investing in additional public transport and rail freight to move the people / cargo who would otherwise use the M5 would be less polluting and more efficient.

I would like my submission published with my name withheld.

I trust that you will carefully consider the many strong objections from the community regarding this proposed project and reject the application.

Yours sincerely,
A Beverly Hills resident

From WestConnex website community opposition https://publish.viostream.com/play/179qaabn7j1nq

I object to this. Please find my submission attached.