MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

I am writing to oppose the decision to continue with the proposed overpass on the Crescent in Annandale.

The overpass is an ugly and environmentally negative attempt to solve a congestion problem that just doesn't exist. An additional sequence with the traffic lights will not only be cheaper, but will ensure that a number of issues are avoided. The overpass that is proposed will be an eyesore and destroy the character of Annandale. Placing it firmly as a transport thoroughfare, rather than a family oriented community. I can't think of one overpass in existence that hasn't been regretted after installation. The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale and will in fact only add to it further, as it encourages motorists to use the ill equipped surrounding streets to get there. This will be a disaster for the community and further add to the pollution we already experience. Not only this, but the mural, which is much loved and respected will be obscured and potentially damaged. I also feel for the people who live in the apartments opposite, who will look out of their bedrooms to cars driving past and making their homes unlivable.

The original plans for a horseshoe green link to the rail yards has been abandoned and i can only think that it was in the original plan to get this stage of Westconnex passed through the various approving bodies. The fact that modifications to the original plan have been approved subsequently makes me wonder how and why the contractors are allowed to do this and demonstrates a total failure in the approval processes. It makes me wonder if the plan was to have a overpass in place all along.

The fact that motorists are being prioritised ahead of the community suggests that we are being ignored in this instance. The prior modification was opposed by over 1200 residents/groups. I question why we have to oppose once again? Enough is enough. The community doesn't want it and there is no tangible proof that we need it. I certainly have no issue waiting for a minute or two at the Crescent lights to make a right turn!

Please stop this monstrosity and consider the community!

Thank you for taking the time to listen to previous objections regarding the overpass.
I have looked at the new proposal and whilst I acknowledge the changes it is still a proposal that is a negative one for Annandale as the increase in traffic and the blight of the overpass completely destroys our neighbourhood.

My family & I walk down Johnston Street every day to the park and on the weekend I looked with the proposal in hand to imagine what the overpass would look like. I urge any councillors and planners to do this on any day. The overpass would be a ghastly sight and turn a village community into Los Angeles. We don't need it.

The only way to not destroy Annandale and surrounding areas to to have an underpass which would allow the green link and connect the areas together and ensure safety for pedestrians and cyclists who come from many suburbs through this area.

If Covid-19 has taught us anything it is that we should appreciate the more simple things in life and take care of our environment. Shoveling more cars to the city above ground and destroying green and open space just seems such a backward step that history will look badly on. How can we be considering this in Sydney now?

Please can you reconsider for the sake of the community and the general well being of the inner west and Sydney residents.

I am very concerned about the removal of the proposed "Horseshoe Bridge" pedestrian and cycle path. Please re-instate this. Connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists is critical.

Accessibility is also critical, I would suggest removing the down-ramp to the green drudge so that an "at grade" wheelchair-accessible (and stroller accessible!) pedestrian path can be put in its place.

Finally, I would suggest moving the road overpass to the centre lane to provide more space for the pedestrian path - this would also be more logical for vehicles as vehicles will naturally move to the right land to turn right.

Overall, please ensure that accessible pedestrian and cyclist connectivity is provided.

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 proposed 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 Bay 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.

My submission is asking RMS and the Project Team to:
● Reinstate the GreenLink directly 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 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.

As an avid cycling family we are concerned about the poor cycling access from the Balmain peninsular. Referencing the revised plans provides no clear indication that the cycleway from Glebe foreshore, Rozelle rail yards or the Anzac bridge are anything but a small path link to the existing footpath either side of Victoria road. The current path connecting White Bay is in poor condition and is dangerous to use. Are we to assume that the active transport link to Victoria Rd and White Bay will not be considered under this proposal? If this is correct, we would urge proper plans are developed to ensure the inevitable increased cycling and pedestrian traffic is accommodated and coordinated with this work, in order to facilitate the increased cycle and pedestrian traffic to and from the Rozelle Balmain peninsula.

Dear Sir/Madam,

We brought our own home in Trafalgar Street Annandale, where we plan to raise our 4 young boys for the longer term, which happens to be less than one kilometre from this proposed junction that we’d use multiple times daily. We love the area and hope our four young children can grow up here enjoying everything this great area has to offer. However, because of our love and affinity with the area we are very concerned about some key aspects of the current proposal which I’ve outlined below for your consideration:

1. Accessibility/connectivity of open space - Families in the inner west have an above average reliance on open public space for day to day life as our dwellings generally are very space constrained. You’d also no doubt be aware that Annandale and the surrounding area already have very limited open space compared to other Sydney districts. Therefore effective connectivity is critical to maximising the utility we get from the limited space we do have. Unfortunately, there is currently no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. Accordingly, we believe the horseshoe bridge shared-user path should be reinstated as a park-to-park connection.

2. Unnecessary and overbearing visual impact from overpass - we believe an underpass would be less overbearing on the local area and the current proposed overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

3. Bike and pedestrian safety - As avid runners, cyclists and users of public transport we are also very concerned about bike and pedestrian access and safety through this junction and it’s surrounds. We feel the current path widths and bus waiting areas are too small and there’s a very high likelihood that under the current design there will be unnecessary and potentially very dangerous interactions between pedestrians (often with prams given the high density of young families), bus passengers, cyclists, joggers, and dog walkers on this narrow shared path alongside what will be fast moving traffic.

Thank you kindly in advance for considering these concerns and potential modifications. I feel they and hugely important to ensuring this project provides the most utility possible in the safest manner possible.

Kind regards,
Peter Barnes
Trafalgar St, Annandale

Annandale is already congested enough, with constant traffic issues in that pocket. This submission does not seem to provide a direct pedestrian/cycling link from Glebe foreshore to Rozelle. I'd be horrified to see that the mural is no longer easily visible.

Most importantly, this proposal once again puts motorists over local residents, walkers, and cyclists. Our children don't need motorists pandered to even more by sacrificing our local area.

Submission to Application Number SSI-7485-Mod-2
Assessment Type SSI Modifications
Development Type Road transport facilities

Please find below my objections to Application Number SSI-7485-Mod-2 WestConnex - M4-M5 Link MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links Constructing a grade separated vehicular overpass comprising a two-lane east-bound flyover separating the at-grade intersection at The Crescent and City West Link and relocation of the Rozelle Rail Yard Pedestrian and Cycling Green Link.
1. The increase surface roads will bring more traffic to the Crescent and Johnston Street Annandale.
2 Annandale Residents will be cut off from the Foreshore and the ANZAC bridge cycle route into the city by wide busy roads.
3. With so little open space in the Inner West, connectivity is critically important to linking our open space together. 
-the revised plans of The Crescent overpass have removed a vital proposed pedestrian and cycle “horseshoe bridge” that crosses the City West link
-created the road crescent road overpass (flyover).
The importance of being able to access and enjoy outdoor spaces has been especially evident during the COVID lockdown. We need to be increasing the connectivity of open space to make the most of this precious resource. The visual impact of the pedestrian horseshoe bridge is minor in comparison to the impact of the proposed road overpass.  
People on foot, bicycles, with prams, dogs and children to cross a wide, busy roads by these plans.
• pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists crammed into a tiny space on the corner of Johnston Street and The Crescent as they wait to cross.
• People will have to wait for the lights to change allowing 90 seconds to cross – with everyone bunching up and not able to spread out.

I would also like improvements to the connection between Railway Parade and Rozelle Bay.  Mums with prams, kids on scooters, cyclists and the elderly need a level safe connection to the foreshore.
The crescent mural which is a local heritage listed item will be obstructed by the proposed roads and ramps.
Interchange between the bus and light rail is an important public transport interchange needs to be convenient and safe for people waiting for or alighting from buses on the Crescent.

The latest amended version of the project is an improvement, but it is very far from being appropriate or desirable. I object in principle to any elevated roadway on the edge of Blackwattle Bay: it is madness to build such an ugly spaghetti junction in this location. Have we learned nothing from the monorail project? The plan for the overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trenches approaches. This provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link to best connect different areas of green space together. This project prioritizes the needs of motorists over pedestrians, cyclists and residents. There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and the Rozelle Goods Yard.

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale. This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians.

An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area. The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.

The people’s mural will be obscured. The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents. All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

This project does not serve the community in any way and is strongly opposed by the community. Won’t solve congestion issues

I live in Annandale and am a daily user of greenspaces the area has to offer in particular Bicentennial and Federal Park in Glebe which I walk to daily. I also walk from home to the city via the Anzac Bridge at least on a weekly basis. The proposed overpass will prioritise cars over pedestrians and seriously impact pedestrian safety and impede pedestrian access to parklands and the Anzac Bridge. I am also strongly opposed to the fact that the development will obscure the significant artwork on the crescent. This landmark artwork is of important historical value and must be recognised as such and must not be obscured. An underpass would be a far more desirable solution from the perspective of pedestrian safety, resident amenity and visual impact on the local residential community. Thank you.

As a resident of Balmain I am shocked at the poor quality design this scheme demonstrates.

What a lost opportunity for an amazing site and place.

A highly significant Sydney Harbour site, on the water, gives way to engineered roads, walls and now a land bridge over a busy City West Link.

Please can you return to the drawing board and deliver a scheme for the community that :

• Respects and gives priority to pedestrians and cyclists, and easy of connectivity
• Ensures public can easily access a generous foreshore design
• Demonstrates excellence in urban design and city planning- in form, function and aesthetic outcomes
• Incorporates infrastructure as an art form- that has inspiring architecture.
• Responds to climate change, sustainability in all ways- environmental, social and economic
• Incorporates water sensitive design. We have a responsibility to clean the water from our channelled manmade stormwater systems (previously Creeks) before they enter the harbour.

The existing scheme:
o Seems to have no understanding or reflection on the unique site it sits on- a truly maritime, water based piece of Sydney Harbour.
o Is dominated by engineered roads that in their own right do not even form a united composition.
o Has little strong open space structure, nor logical or meaningful links for pedestrians and cyclists.
o Gives priority to cars, and treats cyclists and pedestrians as second rate citizens.
o Gives the view of the harbour to the cars, and forces cyclists and pedestrians to experience traffic, noise and air pollution, retaining walls and ramps rather than the peace and tranquility and clean air of the bay.
o Blocks views towards the city and Anzac Bridge with the huge land bridge across City West Link.
o Sites a land bridge between vent stacks, park and light rail... rather than linking prime open spaces from a harbour edge to harbour edge. ... or harbour to park.
o Proposes an unsustainable land bridge across a busy road.. who wants to stop there to experience the “place”. ? The traffic? The noise? Why not use the money for a bridge that provides value for money and superior community benefits .
o In summary is shocking in design and community outcomes.

Sydney and Sydney residents deserve more. Australia deserves more. We, the local community, deserve more.

COVID 19 provides time to reflect and to rebuild our society.... this could be take 1.
Produce a process and design that respects and reflects the importance of community, of wellness, of health. Let’s produce a design that plays this tune rather than a design purely driven by traffic, compliance and egos.

I would like to object to the revised proposal. I feel the proposal is a missed opportunity as although it is an improvement from the previous submission, it still fails to provide direct uninterrupted access from the Rozelle Railyard to the Glebe Foreshore. We should be encouraging pedestrian and cycle travel in our cities with improved pedestrian connectivity, not designing for cars first. The Bays Precinct has the potential to be an internationally recognised case study of how this can be done effectively. The green link is one of the first steps to transforming this area and I really do feel this should not be compromised. Please don't miss the opportunity, we want a walkable city!

Thank you for taking onboard community comment again. I have some objections with the plan outlined below
- There is NO DIRECT CONNECTION for pedestrian and cyclists between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. Crossing the Crescent is dangerous with young children. With the new plan, walking and cycling across a main road would create more foot and bike traffic when waiting for lights to change than there already is. People can be 4 deep waiting to cross The Crescent currently.
- Covid 19 has hightliged the need for more open space in the Inner-West, the parks must be connected seamlessly.
- This overpass is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale but will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians. It will create more traffic through Johnston Street where there are 3 primary schools.
- An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area. The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link with slot trench approaches. An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.
- The heritage people’s mural by Rodney Monk’s which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent will be obscured and has significant local heritage value.

The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale
This overpass will negatively impact local residents, cyclists and pedestrians. It is only designed to address the additional traffic that will be created by WestConnex. It will not reduce the amount of traffic in Annandale.
An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area
The plan for an overpass should be replaced by a short tunnel under the City West Link . An underpass provides the best visual and urban outcomes and should allow the retention of the green link in a location to best connect different areas of greenspace together.

This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. This means that cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights.
The people’s mural will be obscured
The proposed overpass will obstruct Rodney Monk’s heritage mural which decorates the northern side of the light rail viaduct along The Crescent and has significant local heritage value.

Needs of motorists are prioritised over pedestrians, cyclists and residents
All these negative impacts are being driven by the exclusive focus by Transport for NSW on improved vehicle movements. The government should prioritise the needs of local residents, pedestrian and cyclist access and the retention of vegetation and greenspace over the movement of cars and traffic into WestConnex.

The WestConnex project involves many tunnels being constructed, however for the Crescent the decision has been made to build an overpass. I object to the overpass for the following reasons:
1. The evidence demonstrates this modification won’t solve congestion in Annandale.
2. An underpass would be less overbearing on the local area and provide the best visual and urban outcomes.
3. The community needs a direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. Seamless park to park connection is vital.
4. Preservation of the iconic people’s mural - this would be significantly obscured by this overpass.
5. This project prioritises the needs of motorists over pedestrians, cyclists and residents. Please consider pedestrians, cyclists and residents.

I have reviewed the Modification Amendment Report. The issues raised in my objection about the removal of a continuous green space (which formed a key design component of the original proposal) has not been adequately addressed by the revised design. The revised design, as presented in the Modification Amendment Report does not represent current design standards that focus on liveability and community access and amenity. Nor does it satisfy the design objectives it committed to in the original application (EIS and SPIR).

In light of the above, I also object to the Modification Amendment Report.

Transport for NSW should be obliged to fulfill the commitments it made in the EIS/SPIR as originally approved.

It is encumbent on the Department to make a determination on the basis that (among other things) environmental impacts are not unacceptable and that community needs are met in a balanced way. The Modification does not satisfy the latter and on that basis the Department should reject it and require Transport for NSW to fulfill the green space commitments from the EIS/SPIR.

see attached submission

There is now no direct pedestrian and cycling link between the Glebe/ Annandale foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard
This proposal has abandoned the horseshoe pedestrian bridge but hasn’t reinstated the seamless park to park connection that was originally promised. So cyclists and pedestrians are forced to cross the Crescent via traffic lights. We have been promised to have connected green spaces. Also note future increased foot and bike traffic when a when Metro station is built near Glebe island and a possible ferry stop at Annandale foreshore. As a tax payer frustrated and shocked that billions of dollars are spent on this project yet no link between the Glebe/ Annandale foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard is utterly shortsighted. This demonstrates very poor planning for the future. Please have a link between the Glebe/ Annandale foreshore and Rozelle Goods Yard. Thank you for your consideration.