NorthConnex

8th September 2014

Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment
Number: SSI 13_6236
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Via online form:
http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action+view_job&job_id=6136

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

Please find below my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

I do need to state that I object to the project as described in the EIS.

My serious concerns are set out below and I request that NorthConnex and the Department of Planning seriously consider each of these matters as they relate to the NorthConnex tunnel as stated:

1. I am seriously concerned about the weight of evidence that the likely high levels of fine particle pollutants from heavy trucks and other vehicles emissions represent a significant probability of serious health impacts for local Wahroonga residents, the some 10,000 students, and the teachers and staff of the surrounding schools.

2. I am concerned that the solutions to this issue are dangerously underdone. There is no intent to install scrubbers/filters. There has been little genuine dialogue with the very pleasant NorthConnex people, in response to my questions. "Obfuscation", albeit through lack of knowledge was my experience.

3. I am further concerned the "Too Short" unfiltered stack, at least at the Wahroonga end of the tunnel, is highly unlikely to disperse the particulate pollutants effectively. I am a long time resident in Bareena Avenue and understand that the wind data modeled was more "Sydney Airport" and similar locations, than will be the actual case here in Wahroonga. The northern stack is to be located in a valley which means the already lighter winds experienced at the site of the stack will mean poor dispersion of the particulates. The children and elderly are likely to be those who suffer the health repercussions.

4. I am concerned that the Transurban and Lend Lease people have not adequately considered a broad enough array of alternative solutions. They appear to have a "Single Solution" (Unifocus) mindset and their perspectives have been tailored to fit one particular (preferred?) solution.

If we do not know what the best solution is, and what the health consequences will be, then don't do it. The M5 experiences, still not effectively dealt with, should have taught us that.

To deal with my concerns, I request the following actions be undertaken:

1. Because of the very great health concerns of the present project design, I request that the Department of Planning does not approve the project in its present form.

2. I also request that a more comprehensive set of alternative options for the Pennant Hills Road traffic problems be considered, including above ground solutions as well as safer tunnel solutions.


Don Smith
31 Bareena Avenue
Wahroonga, NSW 2076

Ref: NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

I have the following serious concerns:

1. As we all know multiple large scale research studies confirm air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause health problems. To place an unfiltered ventilation stack in a valley of a populated residential area in Wahroonga, where more than 9,000 school children will be exposed, as well as multiple aged care facilities and hospitals, is definitely thoughtless and is an ill-design.

2. As the tunnel is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd, there will be large number of diesel emissions and this hasn't been fully addressed in the EIS. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation.

3. In the EIS, the background air quality is based on the air quality at Lindfield, which does not reflect the local's. And it is lack of any actual data on PM2.5.

4. Unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney that there are alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas, for NorthConnex, a full and transparent options assessment process was not undertaken to assess alternative designs.

Therefore I request an independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals, and in such a process, public health should always be put on the highest priority.

8 September 2014

Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment
Number: SSI 13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

Via online form: http://majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_job&job_id=6136

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

Please find below our submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

Firstly we would like to state we object to the project as described in the EIS.

We 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 the 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. Our daughters attend Prouille Catholic School which will be 700m from the stack.

2. The placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley in Wahroonga where there are often low wind speeds, which will result in poor dispersion and exposure to community to high levels of tunnel emission.

3. We are 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.

4. We are concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level, and hence exposing the local population to pollutants. We are also concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal cannot be verified.

5. We are concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel, as it is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and also contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

6. We are concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceedences above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

7. We are concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
a) extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
b) The use of a coarse topographical model
c) The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
d) the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5

8. We are concerned that a full and transparent options assessment process was not undertaken to assess alternative designs for the project. Unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney there are alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas.

9. We are concerned that the justification for not providing filtration for the stacks is cursory and unconvincing.

To address our concerns we request that the following actions are undertaken:

1. The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
2. An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
3. To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
4. A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
5. A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
6. An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
7. Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
8. The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
9. The Department does not approve the project in its current form as it clearly does not meet the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

In regards to the NorthConnex tunnel, I have serious concerns about the placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga. It will result in poor dispersion and expose the community, including over 9,000 school children as well as multiple aged care facilities and hospitals to high levels of tunnel emission, especially the diesel emissions. And accordingly to the experts, e.g. Prof. Leeder, the professor emeritus in publc health, Ms Goldman, the CEO of the Asthma Foundation NSW, etc, this will cause serious potential problems on public health. Unfortunately the EIS does not fully address this important issue.

And when NorthConnex was asked why not extend the stack to a non-residential area, to my surprise, the answer is to save the cost. I believe we all agree Public Health should always be on the TOP priority.

And also the EIS is lack of any actual data on PM2.5 and has improperly set up the air quality modelling of the northern stack based the meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location. So in conclusion, the EIS was prepared in a very unprofessional and thoughtfuless way.

To address my concerns, I request the air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above and an independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

Please find below my/our submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS forNorthConnex.
Firstly I/we would like to state we object to the project as described in the EIS.

I/We 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 the 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 placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley in Wahroonga where there are often low wind speeds, which will result in poor dispersion and exposure to community to high levels of tunnel emission.

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 haveprothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause the above health problems.

4.I am concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level, and hence exposing the local population to pollutants. I am also concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal cannot be verified.

I am concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel, as it is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and also contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

6.I am concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceedences above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

7.I am concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
a)extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
b)The use of a coarse topographical model
c)The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
d)the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5

To address my/our concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:

1.The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
2.An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
3.To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
4.A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
5.A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
6.An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
7.Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
8.The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
9.The Department does not approve the project in its current form as it clearly does not meet the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

Please find below my/our submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS forNorthConnex.
Firstly I/we would like to state we object to the project as described in the EIS.

I/We 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 the 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 placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley in Wahroonga where there are often low wind speeds, which will result in poor dispersion and exposure to community to high levels of tunnel emission.

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 haveprothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause the above health problems.

4.I am concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level, and hence exposing the local population to pollutants. I am also concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal cannot be verified.

I am concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel, as it is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and also contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

6.I am concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceedences above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

7.I am concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
a)extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
b)The use of a coarse topographical model
c)The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
d)the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5

To address my/our concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:

1.The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
2.An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
3.To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
4.A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
5.A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
6.An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
7.Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
8.The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
9.The Department does not approve the project in its current form as it clearly does not meet the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Dear Director - Infrastructure Projects

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

This is my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

I would like to state that I object to the location of northern ventilation stack and portal exit as described in the EIS.

I am a local resident of Wahroonga and I only reside less than 50 meters from your proposed location of the ventilation stack and portal exit. My daughter attends Waitara Public School which is 400 meters from your proposed ventilation stack and portal exit. I am extremely concerned about the following issues, and request that these be considered by NorthConnex and the Department of Planning.

My concerns are:

1.The possibilities of emergency accidents that can occur in the tunnel, such as fire and chemical leaks, will inevitably happen. When these accidents occur, their effects will be ventilated through the stack, which will immediately threaten the lives of those within the Wahroonga area, since the northern stack is situated in the centre of homes, schools, childcare centres, aged care facilities, hospitals and businesses.

2. The proposed location of the northern ventilation stack is 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. Vast medical research indicates that air pollution adversely affects the health of human beings, especially young children and aged people, and that there are no safe limits for air pollution. Therefore, any extra pollution from the stack is purely unnecessary to the Wahroonga area, especially given the already existent pollution from the Pacific motorway.

3.The proposed location of the northern ventilation stack is in a valley location of Wahroonga, which will result in both poor dispersion of concentrated polluting air and high levels of tunnel emission exposure to the community. When there is low wind or no wind, the tunnel emissions will accumulate within the valley and raise exposure levels significantly among the local community. When there is strong wind, since both sides of the valley have a low clearance from the top of the stack, the pollutants will be easily blown to adjacent schools, aged care facilities, hospitals and homes. Take Waitara Public School for example; it is only about 450 metres away from the proposed the ventilation stack and its altitude level is much higher than the proposed location of the stack, which will therefore allow strong winds to easily send tunnel pollutants to school grounds.

4.The project includes future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level and thereby exposing the local population to pollutants. That is, that the Wahroonga community will need to endure pollution from the northern ventilation stack, as well as the northern portal exit emission, alongside the existing pollution that is currently being produced by the M1 motorway. I am also concerned about NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from the current proposal, since these statements cannot be verified.

5. The construction noise and dust will affect my house enormously, especially since this will last for more than four years. I have school kids and seniors residing in my home. They cannot study and rest well under this enormous noise, and also their health will be affected when they play in the dust in my yard.

I request that the Department of Planning consider the issues raised above and disprove the proposed location of the northern ventilation stack and portal exit as described in EIS. Furthermore, I ask that they consider the relocation of the stack to a non-residential area, such as industrial or park land areas, which can be found approximately 2 kilometres north of the proposed location in Wahroonga.

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

Please find below my/our submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS forNorthConnex.
Firstly I/we would like to state we object to the project as described in the EIS.

I/We 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 the 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 placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley in Wahroonga where there are often low wind speeds, which will result in poor dispersion and exposure to community to high levels of tunnel emission.

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 haveprothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause the above health problems.

4.I am concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level, and hence exposing the local population to pollutants. I am also concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal cannot be verified.

I am concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel, as it is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and also contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

6.I am concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceedences above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

7.I am concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
a)extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
b)The use of a coarse topographical model
c)The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
d)the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5

To address my/our concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:

1.The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
2.An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
3.To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
4.A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
5.A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
6.An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
7.Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
8.The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
9.The Department does not approve the project in its current form as it clearly does not meet the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

I endorse Lin Ma's EIS submission report 8-9-14.

I endorse Lin Ma's EIS submission report 8-9-14.

I endorse Lin Ma's EIS submission report 8-9-14.

I endorse Lin Ma's EIS submission report 8-9-14.

I endorse the Equilibria Proposal.

I endorse the Equilibria Proposal.

I endorse the Equilibria Proposal.

I endorse the Equilibria Proposal.

It is of my concern that the proposed development plans for a unfiltered emission stack relating to the NorthConnex tunnel is to be placed in Wahroonga/ Pennant Hills. Both areas are highly populated residential suburbs with significant schooling and outside recreational facilities that this development directly imposes on and will in its current form degrade the health of the envirnoment and its residents. These areas already carry the burden of M1 traffic congestion and increased thoroughfare resulting from state government population density planning. These initiatives have already negatively impacted the residential ecosystem and the building of the proposed emission stacks serves as further risks to residential wellbeing while imposing significant risks to lost econmic capital. It is unacceptable that in this current era such developments are not utilising the technologies of the day (carbon capture techniques) in order to reduce the impacts to surrounding environments and I urge that these be implemented in this development.

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

Please find below my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.

Firstly I/we would like to state we object to the project as described in the EIS.

I/We 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 the 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 placement of the northern ventilation stack in a valley in Wahroonga where there are often low wind speeds, which will result in poor dispersion and exposure to community to high levels of tunnel emission.

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.

4. I am concerned about the project including future provisions for portal emissions in densely populated areas, which will result in emissions remaining at ground level, and hence exposing the local population to pollutants. I am also concerned that NorthConnex's claim that there will no portal emissions from current proposal cannot be verified.

5. I am concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the NorthConnex tunnel, as it is being designed for heavy freight to bypass Pennant Hills Rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation, and also contain a larger number of fine particles which penetrate deep into lung tissue and remain there causing inflammation.

6. I am concerned about the air quality within the tunnel which is shown in the EIS to have exceedences above standards for pollutants such as NO2, and haze from particulate matter at the ends of the tunnel.

7. I am concerned about the multiple flaws in the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS. These include:
a) extrapolation of meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect the local meteorology, local topography, and the valley location.
b) The use of a coarse topographical model
c) The failure to consider polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange as part of the project contribution to air quality at Wahroonga
d) the background air quality being based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and the lack of any actual data on PM2.5

8. I/we am concerned that a full and transparent options assessment process was not undertaken to assess alternative designs for the project. Unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney there are alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas.

9. I am concerned that the justification for not providing filtration for the stacks is cursory and unconvincing.

To address my/our concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:

1. The air quality and human health impact assessment need to be revised to address the issues raised above.
2. An independent options assessment process should be undertaken to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals.
3. To undertake a Life Cycle Analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
4. A long term health study on children and residents in areas impacted by stack discharges be included as part of the conditions of approval.
5. A comprehensive air quality monitoring program is developed and implemented.
6. An independent review of the ventilation system is undertaken to ensure that NorthConnex's claim of no portal emissions is justified.
7. Portal emissions from NorthConnex in the future are banned.
8. The Submissions Report/Preferred Project be exhibited to allow the community to respond to the revised information contained in the report.
9. The Department does not approve the project in its current form as it clearly does not meet the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development as required by the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Alexandra Dennis
14 Burns Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076

I support the NorthConnex Tunnel and the benefits it will bring to residents in Wahroonga and along Pennant Hills Road.

However, as a local resident and parent to young children who will go to school within a 1km radius of the ventilation stack, I am concerned with the project's disregard for mounting medical opinion that unfiltered emmissions could be harmful to health, especially to the health of the very young and very old.

I cannot fathom how a public sector organisation could, in good faith, go ahead with a plan that has so much doubt - or at best, uncertainty- as to the long term effects on public health. This could be another Asbestos in the making.

I urge the project to consider alternatives to the current plan, for example a) filtration of ventilation stack emissions and/or b) alternative ventilation stack sites in non-residential areas.

Please find my submission attached below.

Thank you
Brent Penfold