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State Significant Infrastructure

Withdrawn

Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

North Sydney

Current Status: Withdrawn

Twin tolled motorway tunnels connecting the Warringah Freeway at Cammeray and the Gore Hill Freeway at Artarmon to the Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation at Balgowlah and the Wakehurst Parkway at Seaforth.

Attachments & Resources

Notice of Exhibition (1)

Application (1)

SEARs (2)

EIS (72)

Response to Submissions (18)

Additional Information (1)

Agency Advice (3)

Amendments (15)

Additional Information (7)

Submissions

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Showing 21 - 40 of 1549 submissions
Name Withheld
Object
NAREMBURN , New South Wales
Message
I object to the project in its current form and without adequate safety, sound and pollution measures for local residents, and without public transport inclusions. The project has a huge impact on the local population that can easily be reduced, made safer and take into consideration basic levels of respect for local residents.

The project, for the interest of the public and investors, which is typically pension funds who are likely involved funding the project, needs to disclose, consider and/or amend:

(1) What is the budgeted cost, and why is this money best spent on this route? Early indications suggest a A$14-15bn budget, vs, for example, NorthConnex of $3bn and Westconnex $3.1bn. Does this project justify a cost of 5 or so other major Sydney projects, when people in Mosman or the Northern Beaches have made a lifestyle - not financial - decision primarily to live in these areas and often clearly stated they do not want the rest of Sydney to have access to the peninsula?

(2) The project statistics focus on impact on Spit Road (for example, highly important and regularly needed statistics such as the time it takes someone from Mosman to travel to the Fish Markets, or a Northern Beaches resident to travel to the Airport). Beyond this, for people who need to move around for their actual day-to-day work, what supports the traffic flow data and how permanent is this traffic flow? For example, the RMS in consultation stated that the financials of the project don't work unless it is connected to Western Sydney. Are the numbers reflecting travel from the beaches to Western Sydney people related to construction work and therefore temporary? Has any assessment been completed on this? Pension Fund holders, debt financing companies and their shareholders and Portfolio Managers need to know this if the Government is asking for pension fund investments and if the Government is genuinely looking out for Australian investors, in particular older pension fund holders who are vulnerable and at risk. Or are we seeing another Cross City Tunnel or Dalrymple Coal offload?

(3) Where is the disclosure in relation to holdings of property that people connected to the project already? For example, the project on a basic level does not make sense, other than to improve asset holdings of land owners (and Councilors) in Mosman and property owners on the beaches. On a basic level - Mosman residents have chosen to live there, knowing the status of Military Road. Northern Beaches residents, in general, have rejected public transport. They have clearly said they do not want to have increased access to the rest of Sydney.

(4) What safety controls are you putting in place on Flat Rock and Brooke Street for the local residents? (See statements below)

(5) The project needs real public transport options. Why does such a potentially world-leading city such as Sydney, pursuing such an antiquated strategy, designed not to improve transport for the more general public (which would imply public transport) but instead to simply improve property values for local holders and those connected to Government and Government Contracts? The project needs to have public transport.

(6) You are aware you are destroying the Naremburn local area for the duration of the project. Some homes will be unliveable, due to vibrations from trucks, safety issues, asbestos removal, diesel pollution (based on data the RMS has provided to local residents). What measures are you putting in place for this?

(7) What other truck and heavy vehicle movements will occur outside of the stated hours of "full" trucks? Will air brakes be allowed to be used?

In summary, for the project to continue, and for the safety of residents to be taken into consideration we request that current residents of Naremburn continue to have an area that is livable and not be forced out of their homes and without any benefit from 6-8 years of potential major safety and liveability issues:

(A) A 40-50 zone put in place on Flat Rock and Brooke Street. This will slow traffic and drive more traffic through the tunnel, supporting the project. Many homes need to reverse onto Brooke Street to simply leave their homes/driveways. You are putting many more heavy vehicles on roads that do not traditionally carry heavy vehicles due to the hills. We know that heavy vehicles increase deaths based on your own statistics. You need to put in measures to stop this, before a resident is killed. You are affording this level of safety to truck drivers already on site. The residents require the same safety. https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/downloads/trauma-trends-heavy-vehicles.pdf

(B) Speed cameras installed on Flat Rock and Brooke Street. Truck drivers on a budget / time sheet will be pressured to break speed limits. You need to install speed cameras, therefore also supporting revenue to the government.

(C) Install traffic lights for residents at Slade/Grafton to afford the same safety to residents as you believe truck drivers require. Why are you providing more safety for truck drivers than local children? Yes, it is a state road, but children do not tell the difference and already significant near crashes (and crashes) already occur. You don't have all these statistics on your website, I also noticed, as I see the accidents happen then they are not recorded.

(D) Bus route and lane implemented on Flat Rock/Brooke Street that stops on the street to actually reduce traffic on this road over the long-term. The tunnel, RMS has stated, does not achieve this.

(E) Proper rehabilitation of the Flat Rock area, including improvement to the Willoughby Leisure Centre to a 50m pool.

(F) Sound proofing on Brooke Street to enable local residents on Brooke Street and within earshot of to continue to live there.

(G) Stop referring to this solely as a 'state' road as if you aren't impacting 'local' communities. You are aware fully that Brooke Street is not a typical state road nor was it ever built nor designed to be

(H) Any movement of landfill requires an investigation. How it is carried (not in open trucks with 'tarps') and removed and investigation into the companies removing it.

(I) If Brooke Street is only considered 'state' and not 'local' then put in zoning of apartments that reflects this so that local residents can move out. We are local, real people, with families, near a road that in no way has traffic typical of a state road.

You need to put in proper safety, pollution and other measures - before, not after - someone dies.

(J) Use hydrogen or electric trucking vehicles, as many business and even some councils are already pursuing. RMS has stated in consultations that diesel levels will be unhealthy for local residents, in particular children.

(K) Filter the 'ventilation' towers to international standards.

(L) Do not allow air brakes to be used on Flat Rock or Brooke Street.
Grant Miller
Object
FRESHWATER , New South Wales
Message
I object to the project on the grounds that public transport in the tunnels hasn't be prioritised over cars with the introduction of dedicated bus lanes each way. The tunnels should, therefore, be three lanes not two each way to allow for dedicated bus lanes to be built.

The prioritised bus lanes for entry into the tunnels, while helpful, do not solve the fundamental problem with toll roads or any new road that is built in Sydney. They reach capacity very quickly due to a number of factors that are well known in the public arena especially for roads that link to the city. In the end, buses will be competing with cars in a congested tunnel, when the opposite should happen i.e. the buses should be freely moving over any cars that are stuck in traffic to encourage public transport usage and to minimise pollution and carbon emissions.

For this project, it will be worse on the summer weekends and holidays periods as people will be travelling to and from the beach; I expect the tunnel will reach capacity quickly during these periods, and accordingly public transport will not be prioritised in the tunnels. In fact, the design of the tunnels encourages car use over public transport.

I will support the project if dedicated bus lanes are built in the tunnels.
Paul White
Object
SEAFORTH , New South Wales
Message
I am objecting to the project based on a number of issues. These being as per below;
1. There will no filtration on any of the fume stacks
2. The exit on Wakehurst Parkway is far too close to residential houses, schools and parks. There is no reason for this not to be moved up the Parkway by another 2 - 3 kms
3. The idea of putting the initial works for the tunnel and workers at Kirkwood St and at the end of Judith St is absolutely ridiculous. This needs to be moved a lot further down the parkway.
In general i am for the idea of a tunnel but the plans in place for the initial works and for where the tunnel enters and exits on the Wakehurst Parkway is fundamentally stupid.
Chris Tran
Object
NORTHBRIDGE , New South Wales
Message
I'm not objecting to the project, just to the staging site area needs to be moved to a different location from it's current location at the reserve on Flat Rock Dr. There is lots of noise pollution that travels up the valley, especially when the wind blows up the hill and it affects the neighbouring houses in the Northbridge area. I'm also very, very concerned with the contaminants that are getting disturbed from the previous dump site that was there in the reserve at Flat Rock Dr, which includes asbestos and lead that have been dumped previously.
Stephen Bradshaw
Support
MOSMAN , New South Wales
Message
I am 100% supportive of the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection project.
The amount of traffic on Military / Spit road has been ridiculous for years and is only getting worse with the increasing population of the Northern Beaches.
This project is a total no-brainer and should be a priority of the Government.
The reduction of traffic on Military / Spit road will -
* Reduce pedestrian accidents and save lives.
* Improve travel times to the city and thereby create efficiencies and economic growth.
* Reduce noise and air pollution.

Reduced traffic / capacity requirements would also give a once in a lifetime opportunity to convert a couple of lanes on Military / Spit road into bike lanes and allow planting of trees. The addition of bike lanes will further reduce pollution, improve participants fitness & health and save lives (cycling fatalities reduce proportionally as more people ride bikes). Planting of trees right along this road would not only improve the local environment but also create a pleasant visual spectacle compared to what is currently just concrete.
This project should be started immediately.
Regards,
Stephen
Alexander Lanceley
Support
NORTH SYDNEY , New South Wales
Message
This will be an important project for the whole of Sydney, making it easier to access the northern beaches. Importantly though I’m a big supporter of public transport and providing a dedicated bus lane will only encourage more people to use it and reduce card usage, importantly helping fight climate change.
Paul Kocinski
Comment
MANLY VALE , New South Wales
Message
I support this Beaches link/Western Harbour tunnel project. It is badly needed and long overdue. However there are two major issues with the design.

1) Under the current design, there does not seem to be an option to enter the Western Harbour tunnel from Mosman/Neutral bay via Falcony St or Ernest St. Motorists would have to drive either to Balgowlah to enter the Beaches link or drive north toward Cammeray to join Warringah Fwy and the tunnel. Is there any physical barrier like gradient why the entrance to the tunnel cannot be moved several hundred metres to the south on Warringah Fwy? This would allow drivers from Falcon st to join the tunnel.

2) Under the current design, there is a plan for a new road over Balgowlah golf course connecting Sydney rd traffic to the tunnel entry/exit at Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation. This will require constructing a traffic lights intersection just before the tunnel entry. This is completely unnecessary. It will destroy a lot of the golf course green space, but mainly create traffic jams on Burnt Bridge Creek Deviation for motorists wanting to drive north toward Spit bridge or even enter the tunnel. Why cannot another tunnel entry/exit be constructed on Sydney rd east of Burnt Bridge Creek Dev. This would allow free traffic flow into the tunnel and toward Spit bridge from south and would not require to build the connecting rd over the golf course.

But even if this solution would be too expensive or delay the project, could at least a ramp be constructed on the Burnt Bridge Creek Dev over the light intersection so motorists travelling from south into the tunnel would not be required to stop on the traffic lights? This would be cheap and simple solution and would significantly reduce potential traffic jams for drivers wanting to enter the tunnel from south.

Thanks for considering this submission.
Name Withheld
Support
NORTH BALGOWLAH , New South Wales
Message
I am strongly supportive of the Beaches Link tunnel. Even with Covid, the traffic on Military Road has returned to unbearable levels. And by avoiding all those sets of lights, the total emissions from car exhausts will reduce substantially. However, I am most concerned about the concentrations of pollution from the stacks, which we live near to. So please ensure that the pollution levels are monitored carefully, once the tunnel is operational.
Jonathan Lau
Support
ARTARMON , New South Wales
Message
In Chapter 5 of the EIS, there are significant changes to the intersection of Reserve Road and Dickson Avenue with the new off-ramp. It is implied that Dickson Avenue will become a major thoroughfare for traffic to and from the Pacific Highway.

The intersection of Clarendon Street and Dickson Avenue is currently a 4 way intersection with Stop signs at each entry - this intersection is fairly busy during the morning and afternoon peak hours and is can be dangerous due to the manual nature of acknowledging who was first at the intersection. It will also become a bottleneck should traffic increase on Dickson Avenue.

Serious consideration should be given to installation of traffic lights or a roundabout at the Clarendon Street and Dickson Avenue intersection.

Thank you.
Jackson Hurst
Support
,
Message
I highly support the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection Project because it will provide improved access to and from the North Beaches.
Gregor Riese
Support
Foresville , New South Wales
Message
Could the project team please consult with Garigal Gorillas mountain bike group and determine whether land is available replacement moutain bike trails which will presumably be removed during construction? Specific trails in this area are Cuffs, Engravings Track, Popeye and Possum Trail. The location of these trails can be found on the Trailforks App. Club members will build the new trails in these areas, but we'd like land itentified where this could be permissable.
Garigal Gorillas Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1061294100633834
Grant Sainsbery
Comment
FORESTVILLE , New South Wales
Message
Discharge Impact Assessment - Please ensure that a Discharge Impact Assessment is prepared as part of the Subs report in line with the EPA's requirments for the discharges from the Water Treatment Plants (WTP) / other sources. This will ensure that the impacts and required treatment processes are clearly defined.
Name Withheld
Object
ROSEVILLE , New South Wales
Message
While i support the project on the whole, the impact to cyclists and pedestrians by the removal of the shared path between Reserve rd and Station st is catastrophic. This is an area frequented by trucks and gridlocked in peak hour - the danger to cyclists is severe.

A separated path should be maintained through this area throughout construction - there will already be enough traffic impacts. Forcing cyclists back into their cars will exacerbate things immensely
Malcolm McDonald
Comment
MANLY VALE , New South Wales
Message
I would like to raise two issues relating to the project's traffic and transport impacts, particularly as they relate to the Balgowlah area and surrounds.

Issue 1: Transport Modelling Approach
It is not clear whether Part 2(d) of the SEARs have been adequately complied with, regarding the requirement to assess the ’performance of key interchanges and intersections”. This is because the transport modelling undertaken relied on obsolete 2011 Census data to inform land use projections.

The following is an extract from Appendix F:
“For SMPM, this data has been supplied by TPA as data extracts from the STM and is based on the latest population and employment projections based on the latest land use data (version LU16v1.3) provided by TPA. This data has been projected from 2011 Census data” …. “As such, the model considers future traffic demand based on inputs from land use projections and demographics to enable existing and future traffic and transport conditions and road network performance to be characterised, both with and without the project” (Appendix F, Section 3.3.2 - Land Use Projections – p. 29)

Because the modelling uses obsolete 2011 Census Data to inform land use projections and trip generation rates, the traffic modelling that has been undertaken is likely to have significantly underestimated the traffic generating impacts of the project on the transport network and the operational traffic assessment of key intersections. Census Data for 2016 exists, and the LU16 modelling data that relies on 2011 Census is therefore redundant. The latest Census data should be applied, both to the SMPM modelling and operational modelling undertaken.

Issue 2: Operational Traffic Impacts - Balgowlah and Surrounds
Under the ‘2037 Do something cumulative’ scenario, the EIS states “Network performance measures for the Balgowlah and surrounds area indicate that the project would facilitate additional traffic through the area” (p. 9-34)

The operational road traffic model for ‘Balgowlah and surrounds’ extends along Condamine Street and the intersection with Kenneth Road (Figure 9-2 EIS & 3-2 Appendix F). There does not appear to be any assessment of the operational impact of the project on this key intersection (Condamine St/Kenneth Rd) – what the existing level of service is, what the LoS under ‘Do Something Cumulative 2037’ scenario would be and whether any upgrades are required to address the impact.

This is particularly an issue as the TfNSW interactive video on its website has a green tick and ‘less congestion’ summary for the Condamine St/Kenneth Rd intersection. There does not appear to be any analysis in the EIS or Appendix F to support this finding.

As a nearby local resident, I'm aware there is significant queueing during peak hours at the Condamine St/Kenneth Rd intersection – including vehicles turning right into Kenneth Rd from Condamine St, and vehicles on Kenneth Road travelling westbound seeking to turn left and right onto Condamine St. This extends back past the rounadabout at Rosebery St, affecting the performance of the Kenneth Rd/Rosebery St intersecion. The operational impacts of the project on this intersection needs to be assessed.

The Balgowlah area experiences significant local traffic congestion on Kenneth Road, Rosebery St, Balgowlah Rd and Condamine St, due to the presence of Bunnings, Woolworths, Aldi, Harvey Norman, Fantastic Furniture, Bing Lee and other bulky goods retailers (this is most acute on weekends, but also at peak periods). These are all significant traffic generators that would be expected to worsen with the project. This is most acute on Rosebury Street for vehicles seeking to turn left into Kenneth Rd to access Condamine St.

It does not appear that any operational traffic modelling has been done to assess the cumulative impacts of the project on these local roads (particularly Rosebery St and the Kenneth Rd/ Condamine St intersection. It is requested that this analysis be undertaken and carefully assessed as part of the proponent's response to submissions.

As Kenneth Road and Rosebury St are local roads, if any upgrades are required to address the impacts of the project, these should be funded and delivered as part of the project cost. It is not reasonable for Northern Beaches Council to be responsible for any local road upgrades required as a result of the project.

Regards
Malcolm
Colin Henson
Object
BALGOWLAH HEIGHTS , New South Wales
Message
See attachment
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
NORTH WILLOUGHBY , New South Wales
Message
I am against this proposal as it does not contain adequate rapid public transport considerations nor support the need for cycling. In fact, it significantly damages some existing infrastructure around gore hill freeway for cyclists with no commitment to make right this infrastructure. The workarounds are a major impact on routes I frequently take.
Name Withheld
Comment
CAMMERAY , New South Wales
Message
As a concerned resident of Cammeray and a parent of children at Anzac Park Public School I wanted to make some comments that are hopefully taken into consideration.

I am in support of the proposal for improvements to transport in Sydney, I appreciate that the beaches link is a vital connection for people living/working/traveling to the northern beaches however I don't feel it should be to the detriment of the communities that surround the project.

I have 3 main points to make:
1. The motorway operations building located along Ernest st and taking up valuable green space from the community. While you are giving back green space to places such as Balgowlah you are removing it from our community. In this day and age is this facility not able to be located remotely? or underground? We use the golf course regularly for golf but also recreational activities with the family including walking the dog and this space shouldn't be occupies by a building when could be located where it isn't occupying existing community green space.
2. The stacks that are proposed to be built next to Ernest St in extremely close proximity to the Primary School isn't ideal however to know that the fumes that are to come out of this stack are not being filtered is unacceptable. I've heard the argument of "electric cars" but I can't see how in 10years when this is proposed to be finished, that every car/truck/bus is going to be electric.It's absurd that the government would be putting the cost of filtering the stacks ahead of the health and safely of the community, it is completely unacceptable.
3. It is great that we are putting in the road connection for cars/busses/trucks but why wouldn't the government want to incorporate a rail network into the project? rail transport would move a much larger volume of people in a much faster time than busses. To think to not include rail in this project is extremely shortsighted and again forcing the people of Sydney to use cars and not public transport.

Although the beaches link is a good concept it really needs more thought and money put into it so it doesn't become a disaster for the community of Cammeray.
Ben Ronan
Object
MANLY VALE , New South Wales
Message
why not build a metro line for the northern beaches and run it along the B-line Bus route from Monash Vale to manly vale and through the already heavily populated mosman, cremorne and neutral bay to ease road congestion. I see this beaches link only bringing more traffic along condamine street through north Sydney and bringing another ridiculously expensive toll for nsw road users. businesses that depend on the flow of traffic along military road and other areas will be affected. with population density increasing the best way is to get cars off the road and making a metro system underground, like most of the big city's of the world.
why we haven't done this from the start following other bug cities is beyond me..
also doing something with the spit bridge is long overdue and is one of the main problems, a tunnel is only needed under that bridge, not all the way to the city.
Name Withheld
Comment
NEUTRAL BAY , New South Wales
Message
Re the ventilation stacks at Ernest Street. As per the EIS statement and images they look visual unappealing and to minimise the visual impact can you explore adding vertical garden to the stacks or jus grow Boston Ivy over the structure.
Name Withheld
Comment
. , New South Wales
Message
My suggestion is to consider an entry/exit to the connection from Eastern Valley Way and/or Sailors Bay Road. This would allow all the people in Northbridge, Castlecrag, Middle Cove, Castlecove, Willoughby areas to benefit directly. The big Woolies parking lot in Northbridge is poorly used space that could be utilised.

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
SSI-8862
Assessment Type
State Significant Infrastructure
Development Type
Road transport facilities
Local Government Areas
North Sydney

Contact Planner

Name
Daniel Gorgioski