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SSI Modifications

Determination

MOD 3 - ventilation outlet limit

Hornsby Shire

Current Status: Determination

Interact with the stages for their names

  1. Prepare Mod Report
  2. Exhibition
  3. Collate Submissions
  4. Response to Submissions
  5. Assessment
  6. Recommendation
  7. Determination

The modification seeks to amend condition E11 - Ventilation Outlets - Limits, of the approval, to modify the Volatile Organic Compounds outlet limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3.

Attachments & Resources

Modification Application (4)

Response to Submissions (2)

Determination (3)

Consolidated Approval (1)

Submissions

Filters
Showing 1 - 20 of 199 submissions
Name Withheld
Object
DUFFYS FOREST , New South Wales
Message
Calculated and Corrupt.
To claim it was "typo" in regards to the emission levels on the EIS is wholly calculated and utterly unacceptable. The audacity to even offer this as an excuse goes to show the intrinsic levels of corruption in regards to this project.
As an employee of the public you OWE us filtered stacks - you cannot continue to line your pockets at the cost of the public's health.
Chan Nguyen
Object
WAHROONGA , New South Wales
Message
It is unacceptable that a transcription error is being put forth as an excuse to change the VOC ventilation outlet limit from 1 to a factor of 4 times the initial submission. The public are aware, and the public are outraged. This increase will put users of the tunnel, and residents of surrounding NON-FILTERED stacks at an increased risk of significant health diseases, all of which have been well-documented in medical journals. Recommendation 13 was published as part of the 17 December 2018 report following the parliamentary inquiry into the impact of the Westconnex project, and states that filtration systems should be installed on all current and future ventilation stacks. I demand a review before the project goes further, with a call for filtration of the Northconnex ventilation stacks.
Omar Afiouni
Comment
WAITARA , New South Wales
Message
Please consider the health of the children and local residents and implement better filtering to maintain the air quality. We have chosen to live in this area because of it's better quality air. It is very disappointing that there was a misunderstanding at the rating of the air quality was a mistake and that it is going to be 3-4 times worse than originally anticipated. This should be met with better filtering mechanisms.
Name Withheld
Object
WAHROONGA , New South Wales
Message
I object the modifcation of the Volatile Organic Compounds outlet limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3. This is a massive increase compared to the already approved limit.
Reshma Pandey
Object
WAHROONGA , New South Wales
Message
Please find below my submission in response to the exhibition of the Modification request for NorthConnex.(M1-M2) project Application No SSI 6136 MOD3

Firstly I would like to state I object to the proposed modification as described in the Application No SSI 6136 MOD3.
I have a high level of concern regarding the following issues and request that these be considered by NorthConnex and the Department of Planning. In regards to the NorthConnex tunnel, I am concerned about:
1. Placement of unfiltered northern ventilation stack in the centre of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga, where 9,300 school children will be exposed, as well as multiple aged care facilities, hospitals, businesses and homes.
2. The increase of VOC limit from 1mg/m3 to 4mg/m3 is infact above the highest level of VOCs and is a major heath concern. You can be deliberately poisoning your community and about 9,300 school children.
3. I am highly concerned about the multiple large scale research studies that suggest the impacts of air pollutants on health are serious. These include increased death from heart disease, increased risks of lung cancer, stroke, poor lung growth in children, increased asthma, and recent research suggesting low birth weight for pregnant women, increased autism, and congenital heart defects. These studies confirm air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause the above health problems.

Dr Ray Nassar - health effects of air pollution - https://vimeo.com/278243564

To address my concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:
1. Due to the significant health concerns of increased VOC particles, I request the department of planning does not approve the modification to increase the VOC limit.
2. I also request that adequate filtration be fitted to the ventilation stacks.

Industry leading Dr's have recommended adequate filtration be fitted to combat the negative effects of particle emissions.
Dr Ray Nassar - health effects of air pollution - https://vimeo.com/278243564
I also quote the recommendations in the Final report for impact of westConnex, which calls out for adequate measures to be taken to filter the ventilation stacks.

Reshma Pandey
77A, Alexandria Parade, Wahroonga - 2076
Attachments
Name Withheld
Object
EAST LINDFIELD , New South Wales
Message
I object to the proposed increase in pollutants allowed from the tunnel. This should not be permitted.
In addition, I believe - having considered this issue and the research on the related carcinogens and likely adverse public health impacts from the pollutants released into residential areas as a result of the tunnel's use - that the tunnel should have filters installed to reduce the pollutant emissions.
This is quite obviously a public health issue which should be addressed by better governance than has been displayed thus far.
Dana Robaei
Object
TURRAMURRA , New South Wales
Message
My three daughters, aged 3, 5, and 9 attend the Abbotsleigh Junior school campus and Early Learning Centre which is only 250m from the North Connex Stack. They spend 9 hours/day, 5 days/week, 200 days/year there, and will do so while breathing the unfiltered pollution of the stack for 9 more years for the eldest, and 15 more years the youngest.

As a medical doctor, I am extremely concerned about how the North Connex stack will impact their health, growth and development. I am certain that this will in time cause a spike in the incidence of cancer in the area, leading to a class action against the NSW Government.

I implore you to reconsider the ventilation outlet limit increase and ask you to filter the stack - For the sake of generations of our children living under it for decades.
Name Withheld
Comment
Pennant Hills , New South Wales
Message
I notice that the North Connex has requested an increase in emissions of 300%!! That is not a good thing when the northern end of the tunnel is spewing that stuff over several schools and child care centres not to mention homes! I strongly object to the NSW Govt Planning Dept approving this increase and will be asking friends, neighbours and business colleagues to also object. Surely this should have been part of the original DA??
Name Withheld
Object
WAHROONGA , New South Wales
Message
The ventilation outlet amount is dangerous! There are so many schools and residences around the area of stack!
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY
Support
Sydney , New South Wales
Message
As per the EPA letter dated 19 July 2019.
The EPA has reviewed the Modification Request to increase the VOC emission limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3 and based on the information available, the EPA does not raise any objection to the increase of the VOC emission limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3.
The EPA also notes the AECOM modelling demonstrates the increased VOC emission limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3 does not result in adverse air quality impacts. The EPA therefore is satisfied with the information provided.
Name Withheld
Object
WINSTON HILLS , New South Wales
Message
My daughter goes to Abbotsleigh and the unfiltered pollution ventillation stac, the school is under .25km and the children will breathe this unpolluted air. I am concerned about the health issues and believe this is not beneficial for the children especially my daughter.
Name Withheld
Object
ASQUITH , New South Wales
Message
My extended family live in various locations in the area and of course I care about all our health.
VOCs are toxic and carcinogenic. I therefore object to a 400% increase in pollution and wish for filtration of the tunnel emissions from the Wahroonga ventilation stack.
Name Withheld
Comment
ST IVES , New South Wales
Message
Hi,

Re: SSI-6136-Mod3 Ventilation outlet limit

I am a parent of school kids in the Wahroonga area. My childrens' school is within metres from the Northern Ventilation facility. The modification of the VOC emission from 1mg/m^3 to 4mg/m^3 is raising concerns amongst the parent groups of our school. We are concerned about the level of harmful pollutants released in the air which will have adverse health impacts to our school kids when exposed to it in the long run, especially to young children with asthma problems.

We urge RMS to re-assess the air quality health issues to surrounding schools and residents in Wahroonga. To provide preventative measures such as installing filteration materials at the ventilation facility, and continuous monitoring system in place to evaluate the air quality, near the facility.

I cannot believe there could be a transciption error when many people from different authorities have looked at it before the approval. I am not a professional in this field but this error has indeed caused concerns for further errors RMS will probably make!
Name Withheld
Object
THORNLEIGH , New South Wales
Message
While RMS is seeking a 400% increase in the concentration limit of VOCs "to allow for management of short term incidents of less than a few hours duration", the likelihood of such a 'limit' becoming a constant state of affairs is high. Limits, being increased, are often found to become the new norm, and fewer attempts to reduce emissions are made because it's considered to be within the legal boundaries set and that is the only requirement that is considered worth attending to.

Additionally, the long-term effects of emission of VOCs on residents in the area - including young families and elderly residents, the trees that are a hallmark of this area of Sydney, and the varied wildlife that make their homes in the areas surrounding the ventilation stacks - are not accurately known, and must not be casually handwaved as 'no adverse impact'. The recent history of science and technology is littered with products and chemical compounds that were once pronounced safe, and even healthy for people, before turning out to be carcinogens or entirely detrimental to human and environmental health.

I object to the increase in the VOC limits for the Northconnect project, most particularly as it stands set as a constant limit.
Geoff Hiller
Object
WAHROONGA , New South Wales
Message
I am very concerned about the additional 400% increase in the allowed level of pollutants to be emitted unfiltered from the Wahroonga pollution stack. My family and I live only 500m from the Wahroonga stack. I demand that a filtration system for the tunnel emissions from the Wahroonga ventilation stack be put in place if this increase is to be allowed.
John Carolan
Object
WAHROONGA , New South Wales
Message
I have been informed that the NorthConnex Tunnel operators have requested a 400% increase in the allowed level of Volatile Organic Compound pollutants to be emitted unfiltered from the Wahroonga pollution stack. For the NSW Dept of Planning to allow this would be negligent and irresponsible. I also believe it will expose the Government to potential class action claims resulting from health-related issues caused by the concentrated pollution levels. I personally have 2 asthmatic children living within 1 km of the Wahroonga stack, and would expect to see a decline in their health should this be allowed to proceed. On a larger scale, having a major public hospital, numerous child & aged care centres, and nearly 20 schools within 1.5km of an unfiltered stack seems unconscionable.

This is a good opportunity for the Government to make this a successful project without seriously compromising the health of the surrounding residents.

We urge the Government to deny the granting of this request.
Name Withheld
Object
HORNSBY , New South Wales
Message
To Whom it may concern,

I would like to object to the NorthConnex M1-M2 approval to allow increase the limit of of VOC from 1mg/M3 to 4mg/m3.
If the VOC limits are increased there will be detrimental health and environmental impacts on neighbouring suburbs. The consequences will be serious.
Therefore, I suggest:
* Leave the limit of VOCs at 1mg/m3 as originally suggested.
* Filter the emissions.
* Limit the type of vehicles allowed through the tunnel, ie: no diesel fuelled vehicles/trucks
There are many great schools, parks and nature strips in the area of which would negatively impacted in the long term.

Warm Regards,
Nikkii Piggott
Local concerned resident
Name Withheld
Object
TURRAMURRA , New South Wales
Message
As a parent of children attending Wahroonga Public School, and a local resident, I read with much concern the request for the very significant increase in the allowed level of pollutants from the NorthConnex tunnel.

I do not object to the tunnel itself, which is much needed, nor the location of the ventilation stack. I do however object to the suggestion that fumes from this stack will be pumped out unfiltered. There are very real health risks associated with this, and it seems to me that they must be mitigated as far as possible.

Filtering the ventilation output will not in any way affect the benefits the tunnel is being built to provide, and not to do so would be reckless in the extreme.
Name Withheld
Object
MARSFIELD , New South Wales
Message
I strongly oppose raising the Volatile Organic Compounds outlet limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3. The Northconnex Emission stack is within 250m of approximately 100 homes and within 1.5 km of 18 schools and childcare centres. The NSW government should be ensuring that the most stringent limits are put on VOC emissions at this location to protect residents, and most critically children, who are at even higher risk of reduced lung function/growth, asthma, cancer and learning difficulties due to exposure to diesel fumes. It is critical that the stack is filtered to the highest standards available, in addition to in-tunnel filtration. Please ensure that parents can send their kids to school in the Wahroonga area without having to worry about exposing them to carcinogenic fumes.
Name Withheld
Object
MARSFIELD , New South Wales
Message
I object to the proposed modification to modify the maximum Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) outlet limit from 1 mg/m3 to 4 mg/m3. This represents a potential health hazard for residents of the area proximal to the outlet stack, and is inconsistent with international best practise. Not only will this potentially result in serious long-term health consequences for local residents, there are several schools and educational facilities within close proximity of the Wahroonga outlet stack, so there is potential for adverse health impacts to young children, including my own children. International best practise is for a higher standard of filtration than proposed, and should be adopted in this instance.

Pagination

Project Details

Application Number
SSI-6136-Mod-3
Main Project
SSI-6136
Assessment Type
SSI Modifications
Development Type
Road transport facilities
Local Government Areas
Hornsby Shire
Decision
Approved
Determination Date
Decider
Minister

Contact Planner

Name
Fadi Shakir