20th May, 2012



Submission: EIS 1


Application No. (SSI-5100)


Attention: Director, Infrastructure Projects


Dear Sir /Madam



I rent an area of the dog grounds twice a week and am writing to voice my concerns over the proposed "temporary" road that is to be built directly alongside the Dog arena at the Castle Hill Showgrounds. I was informed that dirt, stone and dust filled trucks would be continuously (every 3 minutes) using this road, during the excavating process. My concerns are as follows:

That the noise from the trucks will scare and interfere with the training of some of the dogs.

That the noise would interfere with my students (humans) being able to here my instructions.

That the noise would interfere with the dogs ability to hear their handlers commands.

That the dust from the trucks could have a detrimental effect on the dog's sensitive noses and especially on any dog doing scent work.

That the dust from the trucks will have adverse allergic effect on many of the humans that attend the grounds.

That important shade tree's that we use during the heat of the day to keep our dogs cool, may be lost to accommodate the road.

Assuming there will be some sort of safety fence up to keep both humans and dogs safe, will there be a "gate" and crosswalk so there is access to the walkway that goes under the Showground Road and takes you to Fred Caterson Park?

I look forward to your response.



Marion Brand

Hi,
I am delighted that the North West Rail Link is finally becoming a reality! Thank you so much! Travel in this area gets terriblyy congested. Although we are very grateful for all the extra buses and the extra bus routes that have come about lately, as has been pointed out, bus travel on congested roads is also very slow.

As for the two options, it appears to me that the Marsden Park route allows for more options for extending the transport link in the future. I am sorry that some people are angry and upset that their properties may be affected, but it is imperative that transport infrastructure is built. Paying them a fair price for their properties may make them feel better about it.

At one of the public consultation sessions at Rouse Hill, I was relieved to hear from a courteous and knowledgeable man, that where the North West Rail Link currently stops on the plan, will not be the final end. I am glad that there are far-reaching plans for transport in the future. My main concern was that the link would just stop nearby at that would be the end of it. It is great that there are plans to join it to the Richmond line and beyond.

Please, don't let the negativity of the minority prevent this wonderful initiative, that will bring so much benefit, to so many, now and in the future, from going ahead.

God bless,
Wendy Bowring

Attention: Director, Infrastructure Projects

Application No: SSI-5100 Northwest Rail Link

As a resident of Cherrybrook, I fully support the construction of Northwest Rail Link, to service the fastest growing area in Sydney for businesses and residence. The construction of this rail link, not only serve the current population, more importantly, will serve the future generation.

I would be grateful if you could consider the following suggestions.

1. I am pleased to see 4000 carparking spaces planned for a number of stations by 2019, I hope you consider these parking spaces to allow for expansion to cater for future population growth in the area. I feel the planned 4000 car parking spaces would not be sufficient at time of completion.

2. More bus services to cater for residence in the outlying area to the new train stations, such as Dural, Round Corner, Glenorie, Glenhaven, Kenthurst, Annangrove.

3. Traffic lights to replace the County/Shepherds Drive-New Line Road roundabout. This is one of the most hazardous roundabouts in North West area during peak hour traffic 7 days a week, accidents happen frequently.

regards
Yang-Tze Ong
20 Hibiscus Place
Cherrybrook 2126

Application No. SSI-5100



Dear Sirs,



It is distressing to hear that there has been consideration given to a plan to destroy even more of the Castle Howard Conservation Reserve in order to allow access to spoilage trucks during the construction of the North West Rail Link. Considering the suburban location of this portion of bushland it is amazing that it is in such good condition, with majestic examples of blackbutt, angophora and turpentine trees and a healthy understory of banksia, geebung, acacias of various kinds, lomandra and even a trigger plant flowering today. No amount of `regeneration' is going to replace these significant trees.



Historically, there was an access road to the Cheltenham Oval close to the original bridge over Devlin's Creek on Castle Howard/Murray Farm roads but this was sliced away to construct the M2 Motorway and it would be a travesty to lose even more to a road which would be useful only while the rail is under construction and in the unlikely event of a train emergency. During construction the spoilage trucks would be using the narrow and unsuitable roads which provide an important link , east/west, within this suburb. We know what it is like living almost next door to a major construction site - the M2 has demonstrated that.



The only possible and sensible consideration is to use the M2 as an access point. What better time to widen the breakdown lane to allow access to the underground rail than while the motorway is itself a construction site?



Please give some consideration to our submissions.



Yours sincerely,



Rosemary Walker



39b Boronia Ave.

CHELTENHAM 2119

Dear Sirs ,

Re: Application number SSI-5100.



My name is Ross Muller and my address is 1 Marron Place Beecroft 2119. ( 02 9871 1360)



The proposal to build the Cheltenham service facility access road through prime bushland which has been cared for by volunteers for at least 25 years is a terrible side effect of a proposal which I basically support . I have only been a Bushcare volunteer for about 12 years but understand the gut wrenching effect on volunteers , of the proposed access road from Kirkham Street to the site.

An access via the M2 utilising a slightly widened breakdown lane would be preferable during the construction phase and also in the event of an emergency and should greatly reduce the impact on prime bushland .



My recollection is that the M2 widening work will require the reservation of a vacant parking and access facility for trucks and heavy equipment in the unlikely event that some unexpected emergency or maintenance requirement necessitates access to the underside of the elevated section of the M2 above Devlin's Creek . Is it possible that this area located under the M2 could also be used for the Cheltenham Service Facility for the NW Rail Link ?



Sincerely,

Ross Muller

Dear Sir / Madam,

I write to request that the access by heavy trucks to the tunneling portion of the NWRL project should make use of on and off ramps from the M2 Motorway onto Beecroft Rd which is adjacent to the site.

I am completely opposed to the other option which is apparently to build a new access road to the bridge which connects Kirkham St. and Murray Farm Rd. Such a bridge would result in the destruction of a significant portion of what remains of the Blackbutt Gully bushland which lies to the North and South of Devlins Creek. I walk several times each month in this bushland with my 39 year old autistic son and any further destruction of it will significantly diminish the pleasure we both get from these walks.

I am a close-by resident living at 69 Chapman Ave Beecroft. Please confirm you have received my email either by responding or calling me on 0411 252 160.

Regards

Peter Palethorpe

Attention: Director, Infrastructure Planning.

Dear Sir,
We would like to object, in the strongest possible terms, to the NWRL proposal to build an access road from Kirkham Street to the Emergency Access facility next to Cheltenham Oval.
We spent a great deal of time and effort to effect a re-alignment of the M2 motor way to the South to preserve pristine bushland and Cheltenham Oval. Both these community assets have been greatly improved since then and are now in jeopardy. This is totally unacceptable. In addition, local roads are not suitable for heavy vehicles.
It is essential that access to the facility is through the M2. The possibility of re-locating the facility next to Kirkham Street just north of the road bridge should be considered. This would allow the net ball courts to be retained, and existing pathway/cycle track to Cheltenham Oval to continue.

Yours faithfully

Michael and Lola Barrett

02 9875 3087

Attention Cecilia,
We spoke at the Information evening at Epping about preserving the Sandstone Woodlands (dry sclerophyll ) bush bordered by Castle Howard, Kirkham Streets and the M2, which according to the Beecroft / Cheltenham Civic Trust, was gazetted as a reserve more than 100 years ago, giving it protection.

There is considerable merit in choosing the M2 EIS proposal on pages 40/41 of the document we were given.
Together with the reserve status,
To cut a swathe along and into enviably vital self regenerating viable blackbutt forest ( this species
germinates when a forest is opened up by a conflagration fire, beginning the successional growth allowing plants needing shade protection to germinate ) there is a fine stand of blackbutts here.

With my husband Peter whose email I endorse, and another Boronia Ave Bushcare team member we looked at the area suggested in the EIS, this morning. Cutting in along the bridge approach then leaving a margin of bush beside the M2 all the way down 400m, slices into good vegetation it isn't average. Then as a forest operates as an integrated whole that margin and the edges would be degraded. . The species in this proposed take out strip with banksias on rocky outcrops on the level before the land drops down to the M2 has another distinctive group of understory plants in this reserve, incredibly diverse in comparison to the slope grass cover only meters behind it Moving toward the netball courts, coming on the higher of the tracks over the rocks down the sloping path into the post hazard burn, wondrous savannah grasses which I haven't seen in our 40years, Lomatias flowering and seeding after fire, persooonas fruiting, christmas bushes jumping up,..... our Bushcare team in January spent 3 hours just identifying species either side of the track growing after the fire, very exciting. Now the Xanthoreas grass trees 7 near one another with the strongest centre flowering fruiting stems I've seen ever, the bush is wonderful!

There is so much happening in that relatively small area. The health of a forest is judged by the vitality of the insect population, the ants are very significant in this regard, there is evidence of much of their activity but it is the number of different varieties which matters even more. Importantly there is a critical size for a forest to operate viably otherwise it is just a remnant which degrades.

There is a telling example of deteriorating bush on the other side of the oval where a new car park was intended, bush cleared...... it didn't go ahead and the degradation is rampant. When you follow on, privet ( not controllable like yours in England ) balloon vine with vines festooning the trees and lower growth, seed clinging weeds, many seeds come in on shoes and tyres, it is extraordinary when a survey was done after soil on walking shoes and mud on cars and tyres were analysed, just how many seeds were collected and the surprise of those which were endemic to distant places.

Our Bushcare site is a remnant between Murray Road and Castle Howard, opposite the proposed access and egress road on your map. A steep slope with creek falling and green ground cover under high canopy, though just over the road from the reserve in question, it is very uninteresting in comparison.

I was glad to talk with you on the night and you gave me your card, but unfortunately the booklet with your card has been mislaid.

As the site on the other side of the oval is needing remediation, would that be suitable for the replacement of the frequently, daily used children's play equipment, the much used cricket nets and tennis practice wall?

With regard to the restoring the compacted paved road, adapting is always happening in the bush but with the loss of the road space canopy shade and the heavy compacting, restoring is unlikely in 50 years.

Best wishes, sincerely Maureen Correy

Submission to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure on the proposed North West Rail link
from Peter Correy, 35A Boronia Ave, Beecroft NSW 2119
Application Number SSI - 5100

Attention : Director Infrastructure Projects

First of all, I believe that the North West rail link is an important project and applaud both the progress to date and the community consultation.

However, I wish to object strongly to the proposal option associated with the Cheltenham Intermediate Services facility which would destroy part of the natural bush area with an access road as well as part of an established sporting complex when an alternative associated with use of the nearby M2 is available. In addition, if the access road option goes ahead, unless traffic lights with right turn and left turn arrows are installed at the junction of Beecroft Rd and Kirkham Street an influx of heavy vehicles will increase the problems associated with an intersection which is already a hazard for traffic and pedestrians, especially children attending nearby schools.

To-day, for the first time since the recent local information meeting I, with my wife and another concerned local, had an opportunity to make an up-to-date inspection of the proposed site. The thing that impacted me most was the proximity of the people working on the adjacent M2 ( separated from the apparent proposed location of the emergency access facility by a wire fence on almost level ground - as shown on the map at p 41 of the EIS ). There were massive trucks laden with road materials as well as equally massive other equipment. Clearly these trucks etc gained access and have been able to leave the area without further intrusion into the bush. It stands to reason that with appropriate co-operation with the M2 people, trucks etc associated with the Rail project could also enter and leave the proposed site without any new roads, further destruction of bush etc. When the rail line is operational, in the rare event of an emergency, the required vehicles ( be they buses, ambulances or fire ) could very easily get on to the M2 at Pennant Hills to access the site and equally easily with police assistance leave the site onto the M2 and head towards the city or use a new emergency U facility to turn around and exit at Pennant Hills . In other words, having walked over the area in question on an ordinary working day, I believe that the construction of an access/emergency road and the associated destruction of good quality bush are quite unnecessary and the M2 option identified in the EIS is clearly preferable.

Further consultation and release of more detailed information ( such as the outcome of discussions with the M2 principals ) are essential in connection with this part of the project.

Also, ( in connection with the same matter ) during the construction period, what are " light vehicles" and what level of such vehicles is expected to use the proposed access via Boronia Ave, Oaklands Ave and Murray Farm Rd and who will "police " the light traffic restriction? Further what improvements are proposed to this approach especially as where Oaklands becomes Castle Howard there is a dangerous almost blind curve and the rest of the road is very narrow and lacks a safe pedestrian pathway ( the oval adjacent to the site is regularly used by children and others) ?

Finally, as it appears that both options take over recreation facilities, what compensation/replacement provision is there for the loss of the netball courts and, if impacted, the nearby children's playground and the cricket nets ?

Thank you.

P.M.Correy
35A Boronia Ave, Beecroft 2119

Hello ,

Please dont wreck the Castle Howard Conservation REserve- Blackbutt Gully Forest. Please use the M2 access option.

Leone Pike