MOD 2 - The Crescent overpass and active transport links

1. removing the ability to turn right from Johnston St Annandale onto The Crescent means that any cars in Annandale wanting to go to The Tramsheds will need to go down Booth St and through Forest Lodge (Wigram Rd and/or Minogue Crescent for heavy vehicles). I object strongly to more traffic through wigram road.

2. The proposed increase in the number of lanes coming from the Rozelle Interchange onto The Crescent (towards Forest Lodge) - the lanes all merge around the intersection of Johnston Street and The Crescent so there will be added congestion on The Crescent/Ross St. I object to added congestion around the school zone.

3. The pedestrian pathway and cycleway were supposed to connect to the foreshore pathways but the proposal removes this from the plans. We need to find a better solution for residents moving in and around the foreshore area via foot or bike.

I object to the proposal replacing a tunnel with an overpass contained in The Crescent Overpass and Active Transport Links Modification Report, August 2019,
“the proposal”, on the following grounds:

VISUAL IMPACT
1.1. The original proposal that was agreed was a tunnel, which, apart from its construction phase would have had little impact on the area.
1.2. The proposed “modifications” are so significant that the proposed overpass will dominate and destroy the local landscape.
1.3. The modifications are so different from the original proposals that they fly in the face of conditions of the original consent.

2. NOISE POLLUTION
2.1. The prevailing winds in Sydney are Westerly;
2.2. There will be significant noise pollution to persons and property in a large area, predominantly but not limited to, the west of the proposed overpass. This will adversely
affect Annandale.

3. RELOCATION OF THE GREEN LINK
3.1. Consent for the original proposal (by way of a tunnel) was conditional upon the “Green Link” connecting the Rozelle Goods Yard to Bicentennial Park.
3.2. The proposal seeks to “re-locate” this link, thereby removing the direct connection.
3.3. Anyone wishing to walk or cycle from the Rozelle Goods Yard to Bicentennial Park will now need to walk for an estimated minimum of 20 minutes, alongside a raised motorway overpass, beside the traffic on the crescent, eventually crossing four pedestrian crossings. This is farcical and dangerous. It shows no consideration of residents, pedestrians and cyclists.

4. REMOVAL OF RIGHT TURN OUT OF JOHNSTON ST INTO THE CRESCENT
4.1. This is crucial for local residents and removing this right turn will mean increased traffic through local streets.
4.2. Currently, children play on local streets. The removal of the right turn into the Crescent will cause an increase in traffic in local streets. The proposals, should they proceed, will either force them inside or endanger them. In addition, there will be an increase in noise and emissions in local streets.

5. DESTRUCTION OF COMMUNITY
6.1. Annandale and its environs has a strong sense of community, it is in many respects like a village. This is due in part to its quiet atmosphere. The construction of an inherently noisy overpass will have a significant adverse effect on the area.
5.2. One of the reasons people love living in Annandale is this sense of community and the easy access to parks and water.
6.3. People greet each other in the street, businesses know the local residents, it is safe for children to play outside and everyday residents throng to Jubilee and Bicentennial Parks.
6.4. It is a healthy, friendly and supportive community with values the government should be fostering. The proposed modifications will change this detrimentally in every
way.
6.5. I understand that the reason the modification is sought is a financial one. However, a proper cost/benefit analysis that fails to take into account the above listed objections will give a flawed result. It is only by taking into account the intangible benefits that will be destroyed by an overpass, that a proper accounting can be done. The loss of property values and lifestyle of thousands of people in Annandale and its environs seems to have been omitted from the calculations.
7. For the reasons detailed above I oppose the proposed modification from a tunnel to an overpass, and look forward to your reply.

The proposed modifications are supported for the following reasons:
1. Overall, they substantially improve traffic flow from Johnston St and the Cresent onto City West.
2. The height of the proposed Crescent Overpass are not intrusive, being of similar height to the Light Rail Embankment and the Green Link and being located at a low point in the local terrain.
However, the removal of a right turn from Johnston St to the Crescent (southbound) creates an impossible situation for local traffic, since there is no right turn onto the Crescent from View St, Trafalgar St or Nelson St and any change to these arrangements would (which is not part of this proposal) would create significant concern for local residents in those streets. The right turn bans on these streets were only introduced during the last decade for very valid reasons. Motorists from the south travelling along Johnston St would have to divert via Booth St and Wigram Road.
Surely a right turn could be permitted from the eastbound right hand lane from Johnston St providing access to Chapman Road? If the design could accommodate this turn, I would be a strong supporter of the modications.

As a resident of Pritchard St living less than 100m from the Light rail I have a number of concerns with the proposed modification E120 and E121 (M4-M5 Interchange).
Primarily, these proposed modifications do not support the Conditions of Consent: Maintaining a GreenLink and Active Transport Links which I believe are an essential and effective feature of the Annandale area.
Approved Greenlink - which was an effective link between bicentennial park and Rail Yards - providing ready access to the Glebe Foreshore, together with a SAFE overpass from the nearby Light Rail, is being relocated to the west side of the Crescent. This will become a ‘Concrete Link’ severely limiting access for all residents from Annandale and Bicentennial Park areas, to the Glebe Foreshore.
Consultation on the project was also limited to a very small number of Annandale residents only one street around main works, ignoring all Annandale, Rozelle and Glebe residents directly impacted. We therefore ask for more time to consult before any decision is set as we are yet to discover the full impact of this proposition.
Traffic Intersection at Johnstone St/Crescent at Annandale is now a 4 intersection 100M crossing (was a 15m single intersection). School children and residents are now at an elevated and unacceptable risk at this busy intersection.
I feel residents and pedestrians are paying the price for poor design and lack of appropriate consultation. I understand and support decreased traffic congestion today and, in the future, but believe we can have both without sacrificing the residential safety and practicality around this area.

Thank you for opportunity to provide feedback.

I am writing regarding the proposed modifications to the M4-M5 link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to the pedestrian and Greenlink area.

I am very disappointed as a resident and tax payer that this modification has been even considered without wide consultation. The way this modification
has been railroaded in at the last moment is unethical and is absolutely unfair to the local residents and to tax payers as a whole who have no real say. I am a business owner who has had two businesses in the last 20 years in finance which has employed up to 26 people at a time. If our business behaved like this I would have ASIC revoking our licence.

I have almost given up but have decided to give it one more try to get the government to see the danger in what they are proposing from all levels.

Firstly, I have lived in Johnston Street since 2003 and since that time the street has become a highway. This will only get worse. In the mornings we can not find a safe way for my son who is learning to drive to cross into Johnston Street to get to school in Stanmore. We have given up. We can't even use the backroads to cross Booth Street as the Booth Street/Young Street intersection an major accident waiting to happen. Johnston Street will not be the same under these modifications.

Removing the link from Johnston Street to the park will rip apart the community feel of the neighbourhood. Go and stand at the end of Johnston street on a weekend or early morning or late afternoon. Annandale families and walkers and dog owners cross safely into the park by their thousands. This will disappear and we will have a concrete jungle instead. Annandale residents JUST can settle with what was originally approved and the Greenlink was a major factor in calming the residents. To backflip on this is cruel.

The sad thing is as I write this I give this absolutely no chance of making one bit of difference. It is a very disappointing world when people lose faith in the government and the system.

Please reconsider and take a long term view for the residents -not a bully approach which is currently being used.
Thankyou

Bev Walsh
0421 375 053

The proposed overpass in not in line with the approved DA. The modification will create a visually unappealing road way in a heritage conservation area and was more suitable as an underpass. The modification compromises the pedestrian and bicycle access of an already difficult to navigate area.

See attached document

As a previous resident of Annandale I am opposed to the proposed Modification 2 to the M4-M5 link.
Please reinstate the Greenlink as per approved EIS deisgn.

Re application SSI 7485

Dear Director Transport Assessments Planning Services,

I write regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 Link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.

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.

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.

Whilst I understand the need to update the city’s infrastructure in line with growing population, I am disappointed that the design has changed to the detriment of the residents who will have endured the years of construction. The greenlink was one of the redeeming features and gave us a sense that we would benefit in the end. I have two kids and want them to be able to enjoy this part of Sydney safely.

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 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 Wharf.

Yours sincerely
Laura Arnott

I support the original plan of having a tunnel instead of an unsightly, noisey, polluting overpass.
Please change back to using tunnels which will help maintain our beautiful harbour foreshore for generations to come.

I’m concerned that this style of overpass will:

Have an unacceptable and unnecessary visual impact, and obstruct a significant local mural;
Make it more difficult for pedestrians to access Jubilee Park from Johnston St Annandale and the Rozelle Goods Yards in Lilyfield;
Contradicts the original plan proposed whereby the intersection would be located entirely underground;
Destroy over 70 trees including the large, mature fig trees at Buruwan Park; and
Fail to solve Sydney's traffic congestion problem.

The proposal SSI 7485 grossly violates the trust of the public by seeking to push through a change to the plans for the Rozelle interchange previously agreed via public consultation. It completely ignores the conditions of consent given for this project (that the interchange will be underground) and threatens to impose unacceptable negative consequences on the landscape and liveability of our local area. These include destruction of Buruwan park, obstruction of public access and visibility of waterfront parks, obstruction of the heritage listed people's mural, loss of aesthetic amenity through non-compliance with local development standards and removal of the promised uninterrupted green link access from the Rozelle Goods Yard to Bicentennial Park. In other words, this proposal takes us back to the bad old days of the 70's and 80's where no consideration was given to liveability and preservation of neighbourhood character.

If the broken promises and the associated impacts on the people of Annandale, Lilyfield and Glebe do not convince you that this proposal is unacceptable, please think about the opportunity you have to leave a positive legacy with the West Connex project. You can either set an example of how forward-thinking and innovative urban transport design can both improve traffic flow and benefit the local communities by delivering the promised underground interchange, or you can continue with this proposal join the likes of those who gave us the Cahill Expressway and the monorail.

I am writing about the proposed mdoficiation to the M4-M5 link, Mod 2 The Cresecent Overpass and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay foreshore areas.

I request RMS work closer with the community to identify alternative designs for the proposed new car overpass design and changes to pedestrian and cyclist links. It is imperative that safe, direct access is provided from the Rozelle rail yards and Annandale to the foreshore. The foreshore is an integral aspect to life in this area of Sydney, providing necessary green spaces that have been proven to improve residents’ health, wellbeing and sense of community. Reinstatement of the GreenLink is necessary- it was more than just a walkway as it placed people and access as central to the design, incorporating potential for ongoing open space in the community now and into the future.

I am confident that a well-designed, sensitive solution can be found in consultation with the community- for example, the pink cycleway in Auckland City has optimised active pathways around busy freeways and resulted in improved resident wellbeing, safety and international acclaim. Similar solutions can be found in Annandale and Rozelle. I request that the RMS work to reinstate their original vision or work closely with the community to design feasible, well-crafted options that bring out the best elements of the approved EIS design into the modifications and optimise safe access to green spaces.

In particular, my major concerns with the Mod 2 plans are:
- Reduced pedestrian and cyclist safety with increased Johnson St traffic and removed access over the Crescent
- Increased sets of lights to cross from Annandale or Rozelle Light Rail stop to the Crescent (decreasing safe access to public transport)
- Removal of direct active links to the foreshore, limiting access to this area for people using the foreshore for recreation, transport and exercise.
- Traffic changes that increase congestion and cars in the local area and no clear plans for how to manage this increased congestion.
I would like to see the RMS work with the community to identify plans on how to renew and revitalise the foreshore area, maximise access to public transport (including Ferry, Metro and light rail stops) and aid in developing public open green spaces for exercise, community events and personal wellbeing.

My submission requests:
- Reinstatement of the GreenLink
- Relocate and design pedestrian and cyclist connections in this area that are safe and direct, away from traffic
- Design the modification infrastructure and active links in response to the character of the suburbs, location of the foreshore and potential future development.
- Provide pedestrian and cyclist pathways that maximise safety and avoid busier streets, unsafe concrete plazas and caged walkways.
- Integrate active and direct connections to all forms of transport including public transport via light rail, metro and ferry connections.

This overpass should be an underpass as originally planned , we cannot afford to lose more trees and public open space in this area, an overpass will really creat the “concrete jungle” look that we must avoid at all costs. The Cahill expressway should be the lesson we look to here. Please please please think of the residents of Annandale, Lilyfield and Rozelle.

Residents’ direct access to the parklands will be massively obstructed.

This plan creates unnecessary road risk for children, pets and other wildlife of the area.

This should all be underground to preserved the beautiful aesthetic of the area.

- Significantly reduced safety and increased risk for pedestrians and cyclists with removed access over the Crescent and Bicentennial Park and increased traffic along Johnston Street
- Having to cross 5 sets of pedestrian lights at the Crescent as my option to reach the foreshore from Annandale
- Traffic changes that limit movements around the suburb creating more congestion in the streets of Annandale, Forest Lodge, Glebe, Lilyfield and Rozelle with no plan to deal with this.

Please see the attached

I write regarding the proposed modification to M4-M5 Link, Mod 2 The Crescent overpass and changes to pedestrian infrastructure in North Annandale, Rozelle and Rozelle Bay Foreshore area.
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.
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 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 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 Wharf
Yours Sincerely,
Name: Peter Heels
Address: 54 Ryan Street Lilyfield, NSW 2040
Email: [email protected]