MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

We are residents of Rozelle and we are deeply concerned with the proposal not only for our children but for the many thousands of people immediately around us who will use these facilities.
We request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links. We are seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more than just a walk way - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design.
I am requesting RMS put people back into the plan – I want you to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with the community to design a feasible option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.
My key concerns with the M4-M5 Modification are:
● The significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial Park and the increased traffic along Johnson Street.
● Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle light rail stop.
● Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, cutting the community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus stops to a Ferry wharf and Metro station.
● Urban and landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area.
● Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.
Alongside these issues my other concerns include:
We want to be able to enjoy the promise of a greener, cleaner, inner Sydney that the Premier promised us as a part of the WestConnex Project, Rozelle.
My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
● Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
● Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
● Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs, the location of the foreshore and it’s potential future development.
● Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force us onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
● Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport – including the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Wharf.

Yours Sincerely,

Claudia Taranto and Phillip Briant

The proposed addition of the Annandale overpass should be rejected. The proposal will destroy the ambience provided by the original submission without additional amenity. It provides no benefit other than to contractor profit margin.

This amendment of approved plans does not take into account the needs of local schools and residents of Annandale and Lilyfield.The planned amendments in Mod 2 make it very unsafe for children and adults to access Bicentennial Park. It is I’ll conceived and shows little thought re people first plans which are already approved.

Please maintain planned greenlink for pedestrians and cyclists.

Safe and direct access to use greenspaces positively enhances overall community health and contributes to building strong quality social infrastructure. The design needs to put people back into the planning and consider the overall health benefits of these important links within communities.

By over complicating pedestrian access to the greenspace the new design is now longer and more dangerous forcing children to cross 4 sets of traffic lights. It reduces the accessibility and restricts access by locking out so many in the community, like young children, elderly and parents.

I am profoundly disappointed that M4-M5 Link, Mod2 The Crescent overpass plans have ignored community amenity and betrayed the faith of the local community by neglecting the principles under which the original link was designed.
As a resident of the Rozelle Annandale foreshore community, I and my family and friends are dependent on our access to Rozelle Bay foreshore parkland for fresh air, to walk our dogs, to exercise and to socialise - critical ingredients of a healthy, happy community. This design will compromise that access physically and visually, making us and our children and their bikes and scooters traverse 4 or 5 major road crossings with traffic lights (as opposed to one) to access the park from Johnston St. We know what that will feel like, as we already need to negotiate multiple road crossings when walking from bus stops on Victoria Rd to Johnston St, a process so hazardous that I will not allow our children to do it.
The removal of direct, active links to the foreshore will cut us and our community off from our major recreation space, and the proposed revitalisation of the Bays Precinct.
The overpass will exacerbate already considerable traffic noise in the communities of North Annandale Lilyfield and Rozelle; noise from compression breaking of trucks on the Westlink and coming off the Anzac Bridge already condemns us to sleepless nights; a 6 lane elevated overpass less than 200m from our home and many others will exacerbate this problem.
I remain very concerned that there is no finalised Masterplan for the area and that no planning is in place to deal with future congestion in our local streets.

I request RMS work with the community to explore alternate design options to the proposed new car overpass design and the changed pedestrian and cyclist links. I am seeking the reinstatement of the safe, direct access from the approved EIS GreenLink to create a continuous green open space connection from the Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The GreenLink was more than just a walk way - it put people central to the design, maximising safety, and providing much needed accessible open space for the community now and into the future Bays Precinct design. I am requesting RMS put people back into the plan – we want you to reinstate your own vision as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056. Work with us to design a feasible option that brings the best elements from the approved EIS design into the modification.
The current proposal is unacceptable to me personally and as a community member. The people of Sydney deserve good transport links, but these must be devised respecting the needs of the communities they impact.

I am concerned about the loss of the safe, direct, cycling and pedestrian access in the original plan - I cycle regularly in the area and the added length of the pedestrian/cycling overpass, the added road lanes underneath it, and the loss of the green space on the pedestrian/cycling overpass all contribute to a loss of safety, an overall much more unpleasant and intimidating experience navigating the pedestrian/cycling overpass.

Please reconsider and put people back into the plan by reverting to the original design.

My submission is asking RMS and the Project team to -
Reinstate the Greenlink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous safe and direct.
Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs, the location of the foreshore and its potential future development.
Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
Integrate active an direct connections to all active transport including the future metro west and foreshore ferry wharf.
Re-instate the Bus stop t the crescent net to the park for my children to take the 433 bus to school in Balmain.

This is a two-element submission by two independent individuals against the mod2 proposals.
Please note: there has been no consultation between Fred Green and Elizabeth-Jane Osborne
on either the philosophy or wording of each of our separate attachments. Ms Osborne does not
have an email address and I include her own independent input solely to assist her transmission.
Fred Green

As a resident of Glebe with family living in Annandale, I utilise the active link through bicentennial park to visit family. I am against the modification proposal as my easy access to family will be taken away.
I support reinstating the original, approved EIS design of the Greenlink.

To Whom it May Concern,
This area in Annandale is important for access to the park and foreshore. Priority should be given to resident amenity. The original plan did a great job in integrating Rozelle and Annandale access. This new one with a high flyover does not. So many people, including myself, husband and dog, walk along the foreshore and park. I often walk to work this way. This access is important to health and wellbeing. We already have a noisy flight path to deal with and tunnels are going under our properties. Yes, cars are part of the mix. But go back to the original plan. It's a much smarter and creative solution. I love living here because of its proximity to parks, the city, walking, green space. We can't lose that.
many thanks
Jennifer

I object to this Modification to the Crescent Overpass and active transport modification to the Westconnex project for the following reasons.
The inclusion of this overpass will adversely impact the road noise heard in the local area around Annandale and the lower part of Rozelle surrounding Easton Park and beyond. I live close to Evans Street and until recently could not hear the road noise or construction work from the West Link/Rozelle interchange. With the demolition of the Swadlings and other buildings on the Western side of Easton Park the noise can be heard for at least 1km away. This will also be the case if an overpass is built as it will take traffic over the Westlink and there will be no noise barrier to stop the traffic noise.
The Rozelle Interchange was developed with the Greenlink in mind and the residents of Rozelle will lose the utility of this space and the access that this would provide. We are being greatly impacted both in terms of on ground and underground construction and the Greenlink provides some benefit to a project that is going to be a huge imposition to the people of Rozelle and Annandale.
This provides a dangerous precent for further changes to an already complex and uncertain project for the residents of Rozelle.
My Key concerns are as follows;
Reduced safety and increased safety risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over The Crescent to Bicentennial park and the increased traffic along Johnston Street.
Being required to cross five sets of pedestrian lights at The Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale or from Rozelle Bay light rail stop.
Removal of Direct active links to the foreshore, cutting th community off from the area and the proposed revitalisation of the entire Bays Precinct, including linking the Light Rail and Bus Stops to a Ferry Wharf or Metro Station
Urban and Landscape design that is being built before a finalised Masterplan for the area
Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb and create further congestion in the local streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no planning to deal with these.

My Submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to
Reinstate the Greenlink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial park and the Foreshore
Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct.
Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs , the location of the foreshore and its potential for future development.
Provide pedestrian and cyclist pats that maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways
Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport-including the future Metro West and Foreshore Ferry Link.

Yours Sincerely
James

I object to the Annandale overpass, this was previously going to be an underpass.
I believe that it will have an unacceptable and unnecessary visual impact and make it more difficult for pedestrians to access Jubilee Park from Johnston St Annandale and the Rozelle Goods Yards in Lilyfield;

This was previously an underpass and I would rather than it was an underpass as it would be less visually dominating to the landscape.

I wish to state that I object to this project absolutely. It has been foisted on the community. it was not included in the original EIS. It provides no human scale. It severs the communities contact with the park. it has reduced the tree canopy and any amenity in the area. it will create a heat island within an already low lying area, into which you propose to send many more motor vehicles & allow the billowing of pollution from the Stage 3 tunnels, which I also object to.
I object to RMS instructing the contractor to maximise vehicle movement with no consideration for pedestrian or active transport movement. I object to the fact you admit it won't work in the long term. I object to the way the community has been treated by government & contractors through the entire process of this pointless westCONnex project and you should all be ashamed of yourselves.
I am horrified that no one in the department of Planning or RMS/Transport has been able to stand up to their political masters to say this is a bad idea and not do it. I suggest you go back to the back of your envelope, from whence this disastrous plan came and re think this on a human scale. This city should not be about the future of the motor vehicle it should be about the future of people living in a community & a city. Look to the disastrous Cahill expressway, which has also been mooted for destruction to reopen circular quay. The original EIS, stated that there should be a green way to the Rozelle Goods yards & the then minister for planning only gave approval for any widening of this intersection on this basis. Go back to the drawing board and do it again. This whole project is government corruption on an astronomical scale.
The latest EIS for the most recent version of the Rozelle Interchange is once again done by AECOM. AECOM is currently holding half a biliion dollars worth of NSW government contracts and has a hardly unblemished record for fixing figures and acting corruptly. No wonder we feel we'e living in the ABC satire series Utopia.
The department of planning & transport should be working for the community not treating us with contempt, kowtowing to your ministers who are hell bent on appeasing their political donors & wealthy (& getting wealthier) friends & sorting themselves a cushy well paid jobs at the end of their careers, leaving those in the public service in the swamp. We are not whingers we are concerned citizens who vote.
And in conclusion I object to this project, just in case you didn't get it the first time.

I object to the proposal to build the crescent overpass on the following grounds
1. Pedestrians and cyclists will be forced to use a extended bridge and/or multiple road crossings. Active transport users should be prioritized by the NSW Government over drivers rather than needing to walk extended distances. Sydney needs more active transport and the shortest, most accessible and quickest walking and cycling routes are essential. This proposal is a clear failure to properly take into account the needs of pedestrians and cyclists and shows a complete lack of vision.
2. The visual impact of an overpass in Annandale is astonishingly awful. In addition The overpass will also obscure the mural on the tram retaining wall. I love this mural and the proposal to put a giant ugly overpass on top of it frankly stinks.
3. Driving is being prioritized over everything. Over walking, cycling, heritage, the appearance of Annandale, access to the waterfront....
4. So many trees have already been cut down to make way for the road and I object this proposal will result in so many more being removed.

Director, Transport Assessments Planning Services
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY, NSW 2001

Application: SSI 7485

Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,

I am writing in regards to the proposed changed of the M4-M5 Link in particular the Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to the pedestrian infrastructure at the Rozelle Bay Foreshore, Rozelle and North Annandale.

The GreenLink was an integral design of this project with the creation of green space and access for pedestrians and cyclists connecting Rozelle Rail yards and Annandale.

It is my concern that this new design considerably reduces safety and increases risks for cyclists and pedestrians.

I therefore request that the RMS with community consultation work on other design options that does not include an overpass that removes direct active links to the foreshore and makes pedestrians and cyclists cross five sets of traffic lights to reach the foreshore.

I request that the RMS reinstate the plan as laid out in Transport for NSW Future Strategy 2056.

This submission is asking the RMS and the Project Team to:
1 Reinstate the GreenLink connecting communities and green open space from Rozelle to Bicentennial Park.
2 relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections that are continuous, safe and direct
3 Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs, the location of the foreshore and it’s potential future development
4 Provide pedestrian and cyclist paths the maximise people safety and do not force them onto busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways
5 Integrate active and direct connections to all active transport.

Regards

Steve and Petra Kick
2 Woodlark Street
Rozelle. NSW. 2039
[email protected]

My husband and I moved to Sydney in early 2018 with the expectation that a lot of things would annoy us, especially compared to our experience in Brisbane, where we’d lived for the previous 18 years.

However we were pleasantly surprised how much we loved living in the inner west. There’s a real sense of community as well as a lot of lovely places to walk, dine out, shop and just generally enjoy down time.

However, I believe the amended plans for the Rozelle Bay overpass/interchange will impact the amenity and pleasant aesthetic of the area. The car overpass will block views of the foreshore, which is one of the things that make this area so appealing for residents and visitors alike.

I’m all for improved infrastructure and better roads, even toll roads, but they should consider the environment into which they’re being built. The last thing we want is Sydney turning into LA with massive overpasses everywhere and no nice views.

I object to to the construction of an overpass and the change in the 'greenway' at the Crescent in Annandale.
The reasons are:
1. The overpass was not deemed to be necessary as part of the approved M4-M5 link and does not provide an improvement to traffic flow from the M4-M5 link and ANZICS Bridge. It improves flow from and towards The Crescent to the City Westlink. This will increase upward congestions towards Johnston St (including North Annandale School and Booth St shopping and dinning area).
2. Only a future and unapproved harbour crossing may need such an overpass solution. Introducing it at this point of planning creates facts which will necessarily influence the future approval process.
3. The overpass negatively inflicts on the 'greenway' solution which was introduced to insure direct and uninterrupted connection between the North Annandale and Rozelle community and allow access to foreshore and future Rozelle Railyard green space. The new solution in particularly increases the travel distance from North Annandale to the Foreshore by many times. The quality of the pathway now next to a busy overpass is significantly worth.
4. The changes at the corner Crescent and Johnston St now doesn't allow direct connection to the foreshore through one traffic light. The proposed solution requires the passing of 3-4 streets (with or without traffic light). This is unsafe and potentially leads to pedestrians trying to travers The Crescent directly which is even more dangerous.

I propose:
1. Not to build an unnecessary overpass now.
2. To move the greenway bridge across The Crescent south-west to allow a future overpass to be build if needed and approved as part of a future harbour crossing.
3. Not to change traffic conditions around the corner The Crescent and Johnston St.

I don’t agree with the addition of the car overpass into the Rozelle interchange as it comes at the expense of the originally planned Greenlink. The Greenlink is an integral component of connecting the different community spaces of the project. I would like to see an alternative design that keeps the Greenlink.

Please see my comments on the attached form. I do not support the recent changes proposed to the Rozelle Bay Greenlink. I strongly support a reversion to the former plan and detailed consultation with local residents to find a solution that meets their needs.