NorthConnex

My concern is the traffic flow of the trucks during construction. Laden trucks trying to cross 3 lanes of traffic on Pennant Hills Rd to turn right at Phyllis Ave is just plain dangerous. As a victim of a serious car accident on that corner over 15 months ago (from which I am still recovering) I am so conscious of the dangers. Pennant Hills Rd is curved near the point where the trucks will enter it and oncoming traffic will not see the trucks in time. What is the planned speed limit on Pennant Hills Road during construction?
Entry and exit to the site should be on Pennant Hills Road and should be controlled by traffic lights with the kerbside southbound lane designated for the trucks only. The lights should be synced with the Duffy Ave and Phyllis Ave lights and should allow the trucks to turn both North and South. This will avoid the use of Loch Maree and Phyllis Avenues which are already busy with local traffic (both residential and commercial). This will be much less disruptive to local residents and much safer for commuters and will also avoid the use of Phyllis Ave as a truck turning bay. I also feel that if the trucks are entering the site via Loch Maree Ave, any delay will result in residents being stuck on Pennant Hills Road unable to turn into the street while the trucks are waiting to turn into the site.
I would also like a guarantee that the permanent smoke extraction system is for emergency use only and not for vehicle exhaust fumes.

NORTH CONNEX SUBMISSION


Department of Planning and Environment

Filtering of Ventilation Stacks

As a resident of West Pennant Hills and within the 1 km radius of the proposed Southern Ventilation Stack I feel the need to voice my concerns about the stacks not being filtered. Because of the huge number of vehicles and trucks that will be using Pennant Hills Tunnel daily and many of these being diesel, the air from these stacks will contain carcinogens that can cause cancer. I am concerned as a resident that in future years there will be `clusters' of lung cancer in this area. This is also a `family' area with many children living and playing here and who will be exposed to these carcinogens and at great risks of asthma and even worse lung/health conditions.

There are tunnels overseas that are filtered successfully, why cant the same be done here. Even if filtration is not installed at the outset, there should be provisions to retrofit if necessary.

Air quality in the vicinity of the stack should be monitored independently throughout the life of the project. This is the only way to know if the extraction fans are being used properly. They may be switched off or run at a lower speed to save money if the air quality is not monitored.

The ventilation stack is being put in West Pennant Hills Valley to save money at the construction stage but it will need an additional tunnel to connect it to the main southbound tunnel which will run unde rthe gold course. It will also need additional fans during operation which will waste a lot of power.

In the EIS it says the best place for a ventilation stack is over the main alignment tunnel - therefore it should be on the golf course side of Pennant Hills Road, thus removing if further from houses.

Construction Traffic Route

NorthConnex's construction traffic route via Aiken Oakes, Eaton and Karloon roads will also have a huge impact on the air quality and traffic flow in this area with over a thousand trucks scheduled to be working. These roads are at present with the current traffic situation, difficult to get in and out of onto Pennant Hills Road, with Oakes Road being `snail's pace' during peak periods, but with the amount of traffic increased significantly with these construction trucks, and for such a long period while the tunnel is being constructed, traffic conditions will become intolerable for local residents.



Queuing in Tunnel
With no direction connection to the M2 East, vehicles will need to exit the southbound tunnel onto Pennant Hills Road and then queue at lights to join the M2 East. This will probably cause queuing in the exit tunnel at peak times. This will raise alarm as to the air quality for people sitting in their cars and queuing.


Blue Gum Creek

The amount of tunnelling water used for this tunnel (40 litres per second) is going to erode this area causing local flooding and property damage. The creek is still to be rehabilitated following the M2 construction and upgrade works. Any extra discharge to the creek will exacerbate problems.

Pearlman Inquiry

In 2007 the Pearlman Inquiry said the best route North from Sydney was a new western route with a second Hawkesbury Crossing. The Pennant Hills Tunnel is only an `interim' to solve traffic problems - this will only solve congestion for so long and then the Second Hawkesbury Crossing will have to be considered, so why not now?

This project will have a huge impact on West Pennant Hills Valley and surrounds.
Please do not rush this project - all aspects need to be carefully considered.

NORTH CONNEX SUBMISSION


Department of Planning and Environment

Filtering of Ventilation Stacks

As a resident of West Pennant Hills and within the 1 km radius of the proposed Southern Ventilation Stack I feel the need to voice my concerns about the stacks not being filtered. Because of the huge number of vehicles and trucks that will be using Pennant Hills Tunnel daily and many of these being diesel, the air from these stacks will contain carcinogens that can cause cancer. I am concerned as a resident that in future years there will be `clusters' of lung cancer in this area. This is also a `family' area with many children living and playing here and who will be exposed to these carcinogens and at great risks of asthma and even worse lung/health conditions.

There are tunnels overseas that are filtered successfully, why cant the same be done here. Even if filtration is not installed at the outset, there should be provisions to retrofit if necessary.

Air quality in the vicinity of the stack should be monitored independently throughout the life of the project. This is the only way to know if the extraction fans are being used properly. They may be switched off or run at a lower speed to save money if the air quality is not monitored.

The ventilation stack is being put in West Pennant Hills Valley to save money at the construction stage but it will need an additional tunnel to connect it to the main southbound tunnel which will run unde rthe gold course. It will also need additional fans during operation which will waste a lot of power.

In the EIS it says the best place for a ventilation stack is over the main alignment tunnel - therefore it should be on the golf course side of Pennant Hills Road, thus removing if further from houses.

Construction Traffic Route

NorthConnex's construction traffic route via Aiken Oakes, Eaton and Karloon roads will also have a huge impact on the air quality and traffic flow in this area with over a thousand trucks scheduled to be working. These roads are at present with the current traffic situation, difficult to get in and out of onto Pennant Hills Road, with Oakes Road being `snail's pace' during peak periods, but with the amount of traffic increased significantly with these construction trucks, and for such a long period while the tunnel is being constructed, traffic conditions will become intolerable for local residents.



Queuing in Tunnel
With no direction connection to the M2 East, vehicles will need to exit the southbound tunnel onto Pennant Hills Road and then queue at lights to join the M2 East. This will probably cause queuing in the exit tunnel at peak times. This will raise alarm as to the air quality for people sitting in their cars and queuing.


Blue Gum Creek

The amount of tunnelling water used for this tunnel (40 litres per second) is going to erode this area causing local flooding and property damage. The creek is still to be rehabilitated following the M2 construction and upgrade works. Any extra discharge to the creek will exacerbate problems.

Pearlman Inquiry

In 2007 the Pearlman Inquiry said the best route North from Sydney was a new western route with a second Hawkesbury Crossing. The Pennant Hills Tunnel is only an `interim' to solve traffic problems - this will only solve congestion for so long and then the Second Hawkesbury Crossing will have to be considered, so why not now?

This project will have a huge impact on West Pennant Hills Valley and surrounds.
Please do not rush this project - all aspects need to be carefully considered.

I object strongly to the use of unfiltered exhaust stacks in connection with the Northconnex tunnel. The argument that filtered exhaust stacks are not cost effective ignores the fact that they will be ""health" effective .The whole project is clearly planned to be constructed as cheaply as possible without any real regard to the outcome on local residents. This was clearly indicated by the attitude of Northconnex representatives at a community meeting I attended where questions were treated in a contemptuous manner and not answered if it did not suit them.
If the project goes ahead it should be planned and completed to the best possible quality to ensure good health outcomes for residents affected by exhaust stacks. If this is not agreed to the project should not be approved.

I am a mother of 3 young children who recently moved into the area. I am extremely disturbed about this stack as proven studies indicates the impacts of air pollutants on health issues to all people in this district. Increased risks of lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, poor lung growth in children (and the 9000+ children being educated in this area both in the public and private sector), increased asthma, increased autism, and congenital heart defects. These studies confirm air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans which cause the above health problems. Placement of a ventilation stack in the center of a densely populated residential area, including schools, hospitals, homes, businesses and aged care facilities is inhumane, atrocious and third world.

I have a high level of concern regarding the following issues and request that NorthConnex and the Department of Planning consider these. In regards to the NorthConnex tunnel, I am concerned about:

1. The placement of the unfiltered northern ventilation stack in the centre of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga. This is a location that would expose 9,300 school children to pollutants, as well as multiple aged care facilities, hospitals, businesses and homes. 


2. As a resident of the area with family members studying less than half a kilometre away from the proposed ventilation stack location, I am highly concerned about impacts of the emitted air pollutants on our health. Multiple large-scale research studies suggest that the health impacts of air pollutants are serious. These impacts include, amongst others:
a. Increased death from heart disease
b. Increased risks of lung cancer and stroke
c. Poor lung growth in children
d. Increased asthma
There is also recent research that suggests air pollutants can cause low birth weight for pregnant women, increased autism, and congenital heart defects. These studies also confirm that air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects on humans, which cause the above health problems.

3. The impact of the ventilation stack emissions on the environment. Unfiltered and untreated exhaust gases will not only introduce additional pollutants but also add heat to the surrounding atmosphere and increase the temperature of the surrounding areas. This can have a detrimental effect on flora and fauna in the area, potentially leading to damage to the local ecosystem.

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

1. Due to the significant health and environmental concerns of the current project design, I request the department of planning does not approve the project in its current form. 


2. I also request that alternative transport options to ease congestion on Pennant Hills Rd be considered such as an orbital surface route.

10 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 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 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 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.

Jane Loiacono
190 Pitt Town Road Kenthurst NSW 2156

10th September 2014
Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment
Number: SSI 13_6136
Major Projects Assessment
NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136
Submission
1. I am highly concerned about the health research studies that suggests that the impacts on health are serious. These range from increased death from heart disease, increased lung cancer, stroke to increased asthma and more. These studies show that air pollutants have deleterious effects on humans which can cause serious health problems. What will be the effects on people who live in close proximity to the proposed stacks both long term as well as short term?
2. I am very concerned that ALL vehicle emissions will not only be pumped out at the southern and northern ends of the tunnel but will be pumped out unfiltered. This is in addition to the emissions from vehicles which will continue to travel along Pennant Hills Rd.
3. I am concerned about flaws in the air quality modelling including meteorological data from other weather stations which do not reflect local meteorlogical and local topography
I object to the NorthConnex project as stated in the EIS
To address my concerns I request that the following options be undertaken:
1. The health of the community is highly important! Due to significant health concerns of the current project design, I request that the Department of Planning does not approve the project in its current form
2. I also suggest that alternative options to ease congestion on Pennant Hills Rd be considered

I am particularly concerned that untreated and non-filtered engine exhaust wastes, especially particulates, will be disseminated across a wide area to the health detriment of residents adjacent to both the North and South tunnel exhaust stacks.

This is an unconscionable act in no way remedied by political double-speak from proven, largely corrupt governments and by profit-seeking contractors.

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

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

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 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 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 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.

Andrew Noble
21 Mahratta Avenue Wahroonga

10th September
North Connex Application number SSI 13_6136

Please find my submission of the EIS for North Connex.
I would like to state that I strongly object to the project as described in the EIS.
I have attended both forums ,one provided by the North Connex group at the Hornsby RSL and the second forum at Barker college where information was provided by independent specialists in public health and science.. These people were not paid by North Connex and what they had to say made a lot of common sense.
I have a number of issues which I am very concerned about and I request that these be considered by North Connex and the Planning department.
My main concerns are:
1 The placement of the ventilation stack in the middle of a residential area in Wahroonga when a short distance away there is an industrial area which would be better suited and safer because it is safer distance from most schools ,the hospital and homes.
2 The placement of the ventilation stack in Wahroonga where there are often reduced wind speeds which are vital to assist in the dispersion of the toxics fumes from the cars and trucks.
3 II am very concerned about many research studies that there are serious health issues associated with the ingestion of air pollutants which include increased risk of lung disease and asthma to name just a few.There is no proof that the levels of exposure to any of these toxins are safe.
4 I am concerned about the large amount of diesel emissions which will be emitted from the North Connex tunnel as thousands of trucks will be using this tunnel every day to bypass pennant hills rd. Diesel emissions have been classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organisation.
5 The air quality within the tunnel is shown in the EIS to exceed above standards for pollutants such as NO2
6 I have a number issues with the air quality studies of the northern stack in the EIS which include data from other weather stations which are not relevant to Wahroonga ,the local topography and the valley location. The background air quality being based on air quality from Lindfield and Prospect and the insufficiency data on PM25.
7 I feel that there was not enough research done to assess alternative designs for this project.Thereare some very obvious alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non residendial areas
To address my above concerns I would like to see the following actions undertaken:
An independent study to assess alternative locations for the ventilation stack and portals
Independent analysis and assessment for the provision of filtration
A detailed independent study on residents in areas impacted by stack discharges.
An air quality monitoring program to be implemented
The air quality and health impact assessment needs to be revised to address concerns listed above.
It is important to point out that as a resident of Wahroonga I am not against a tunnel as such.,but I am absolutely against putting the stack right in the middle of a residendial area especially with all the surrounding schools hospitals and aged care facilities .
Due to the significant health concerns of the current project design, I request that the Department of Planning does not approve the project in its current form.

Application SSI 13_6136
I strongly object to the North Connex tunnel and in particular the lack of filtration.

I am very concerned about several issues and ask that these be carefully considered by North Connex and the Department of Planning:

1 - no filtration
2 - placement of both the North and South ventilation stacks
3 - the lack of extensive studies into the effect of small particle pollution
4 - the removal of the waste from the tunnel operations

1 - Filtration. There have been a great number of studies on small particle pollution and the conclusion of most of these is that there is no safe level. You claim that smoke from burning wood causes more pollution than cars, but that is very wrong especially with the proliferation of diesel trucks and cars. The WHO has said that diesel fumes are the asbestos of the 21st century.

2 - Placement of the ventilation stacks.
The Northern stack is placed in a valley where there is often a temperature inversion causing the pollution to accumulate in the valley and not be dispersed. the EIS did not do any studies in this are but took information from areas that are not similar!!
Same with the Southern stack placement - the EIS did not do any studies in this area. How can we be assured that the pollution will not affect us who live close and even those who live further away at the end of where the plume will fall??
3 - There was a very flawed study done by the CSIRO which claimed there was no effects from small particle pollution in the M% but that study did not measure any particles under 2.5 microns. They even admitted that the instrument used could not measure particles smaller than 2.5microns.
Are you not concerned that 200 doctors from this area and the Asthma Foundation are very concerned about the health effects of these stacks?
FILTRATION IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IS DEFINITELY NECESSARY

4 - Collection and movement of fill from the tunnelling operation: It seems that the trucks loaded with fill will be travelling along small local streets and endangering lives.

If the purpose of this tunnel is top remove trucks from Pennant Hills Road, then I have two solutions for you:
1 - Put the freight onto the rail system and upgrade that.
2 - Build a new highway/freeway from the M7 at Dean Park, across the Hawkesbury to connect with the M1 at Kariong as suggested by the Hon Marla Perlman in her review

If the decision to build the tunnel is already made (as it seems to be without any consultation with the public) and only because of an "unsolicited proposal" from Transurban, then PLEASE do appropriate studies on filtration and fit Electrostatic precipitators
Put in the very latest in monitoring equipment
and LISTEN TO AND CONSIDER THE PUBLIC'S CONCERNS.
Your latest little newsletter does not allay any of my fears and just looks like you are trying to placate us because you don't want to spend any more money. It is just trotting out the same stuff that the EIS did. The public is not stupid, just apathetic.

Firstly I would like to state I am object to the project as described in the EIS.
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 the northern ventilation stack (especially un-filtered air pollution) 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. 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.
To address my concerns I request that the following actions are undertaken:
1. Due to the significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the department of planning does not approve the project in its current form. People health should always be the priority.
2. I also request that alternative transport options to ease congestion on Pennant Hills Rd be considered such as an orbital surface route.

10 September 2014

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

NorthConnex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

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

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

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 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 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.






Ian Lin
53 Stanley Street
Chatswood, NSW 2067

I believe that the lack of proposed filtration and proximity to local housing is a major oversight and should be corrected prior to the application being considered.

I object to the lack of filtration proposed along with the proximity to local housing.

Its interesting that we are being bombarded with what we`re told is community updates on the NorthConnex Tunnel and I`d like to know who`s paying for this load of garage.
Brain washing people with lies about the exhaust funnels and misleading them will come out in the future and I hope those involved get found out.
This tunnel is going ahead regardless of what the community thinks so why waste our money, just build it nothing going to change.
This whole thing smells of collaboration between Government and Toll companies.
Lining the pockets of toll companies by diverting mortorists to the M2 so they can make more money.
Trucks are headed past the M2 to the M7 so why wouldn`t you link the M1 to the M7 and bypass the M2? cause toll companies would loose the cash from the M2!
We`re not all stupid.
Your funnels are crap cause you`ve decided the filtering isn`t necessary cause the gains don`t out way the cost and no-one can stop you doing whatever you want!
I hope in the future all politicians become accountable and therefore loose their entitlements and super to pay back the community for failing!

In making this submission, I consider that the tunnel vehicle exhaust emissions need to be treated as a valuable resource and not as a waste, simply to be vented into the atmosphere without filtering and/or consideration for people living in the vicinity of ventilation stacks, as is currently planned.

Surely the vehicle exhaust emissions can be collected through a by-pass tunnel, similar to what is already in place at the Cross City Tunnel, then either reduced to a liquid for later use or used immediately and maybe mixed with domestic gas at a controlled ratio and/or burnt in a turbine deep underground to generate electricity, to be either fed into the grid as excess to demand or used in the tunnel electrical system.

A turbine would ensure that the tunnel exhaust gases can be burnt more efficiently and this way, any left over gases (CO2) could then be filtered and/or utilised as per the technology developed by AlgaeTech (Australian Stock Exchange listing AEB), whereby the CO2 gases are used/processed to feed algae and produce bio diesel and jet fuel.

I feel is this process was adopted, it would be a "win win" for all parties involved, as it would be better for people residing in the vicinity of the proposed ventilation stacks and a reduction in running costs for the operators of the new tunnel system.

If the operators are not interested in such a system, maybe it could be thrown over to private enterprise to develop a system and reap the rewards accordingly.

This submission is forwarded for consideration.

My home of 40+ years is immediately opposite the unfiltered Northern ventilation shaft and the Northern portal of the NorthConnex tunnel project. My daughter XXXX and her XXXX young children also live at this address. XXXX


I strongly object to the project in the form set down in the EIS. Therefore I want the Department of Planning and NorthConnex to take into account the following grounds for my objection:

1 The location of an unfiltered ventilation shaft for the 9.2km tunnel is highly inappropriate being in the centre of a residential area that contains within a 1-1.5km radius approx 9,200 school and preschool children, as well as elderly occupants in a number of aged care facilities.
Unlike other tunnel projects in Sydney there are alternatives for locating the stack and portals in non-residential areas eg by locating them further north.

2 I am extremely concerned about the impact on health of the emissions from diesel and other trucks and from the predicted large volume of traffic bypassing Pennant Hills Road (ie assuming modelling of predicted usage is more accurate than that for the Lane Cove Tunnel). Numerous research studies have concluded that traffic emissions contribute to death by affecting the heart and lungs and by causing strokes. Studies suggest that children's lung development is impeded and asthma increased as a result of vehicle pollutants which include exhaust and other vehicle micro particles eg from brake linings.

The World Health Organisation has classified diesel emissions as carcinogenic. As a current cancer patient this is alarming to me. Medical representatives from the Asthma Foundation and University of Sydney Adult & Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery and Public Health & Community Medicine supported these research findings at a recent community meeting.

3 I am not at all satisfied with the continued NorthConnex claim that there will be no effect on community health from the two unfiltered ventilation stacks - the claim that residents will be 'better off' is totally unsubstantiated and is, indeed, highly questionable in the light of existing research. Residents in the vicinity of the ventilation shaft and portal will be exposed to pollutants accumulated from the full 9.2km tunnel, not just from traffic passing by as at present. Monitoring of air quality by the successful tender company is not acceptable.

4 I am also concerned about the quality of air in the 9.2km tunnel and the effect on the health of drivers, especially during delays. The EIS states the tunnel air quality will have exceedences above standards for pollutants such as NO2

5 I am concerned that the air quality modelling of the northern stack in the EIS is flawed:
-meteorological data is from other non-local weather stations inconsistent with the local meteorology, topography and valley location. 
-polluted intake air from the Pennant Hills/M2 interchange is not recognised in the EIS as contributing to air 'quality' at Wahroonga
- the background air quality is based on air quality at Lindfield and Prospect and lacks any actual data on PM2.5

6 I am concerned about the effect on Wahroonga community cohesion resulting from the planned Northern shaft. Already a significant number of long-term residents have sold up rather than be exposed to the pollution exiting the shaft and portal and to the construction disturbance.

7 I am very dissatisfied with the lack of transparency in the planning process in which criteria for assessing alternative options are not available. This is especially significant during the current ICAC investigations - the successful tender company will have a virtual monopoly on metropolitan traffic tunnels.

7 I am concerned that the financial and other justification for not providing filtration for the stacks is unconvincing and shortsighted. The company (and government) claim that filtration is too expensive - however the company recently returned high dividends to its shareholders. The potential medical costs for remedying the health of affected persons must be avoided.

To address my 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.

E North Connex Application SSI 13_6136
I object to the project for the following reasons.
The placement of a ventilation stack in the middle of a suburban residential area is unacceptable as it poses a health hazard to the residents and 9300 young children that attend schools in the area. Our 2 children are attending a school within 1 km from the proposed ventilation stacks. They both suffer from asthma .
Respiratory disease and poor lung growth have been associated with the exposure of pollutants from exhaust gas from numerous studies . These pollutants are invisible to the eye and can cause chronic lung disease and exacerbations of pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema.
The potential for harm is unacceptable as there is no safe level for exposure to pollutants in humans.
I can foresee a class action against NorthConnex and even the local government if the ventilation stacks were to be constructed as planned , as air quality in the area would deteriorate and cause a rise in respiratory problems. This can easily be quantified with lung function tests on residents / children done before and after the construction of the stacks .
Any community class action will adversely affect the cost benefit ratio of the North Connex Tunnel.
To address my concerns , We request that the department of planning does not approve of the project in its present form.
An alternative route to divert traffic from Pennant Hills Rd should be devised.
Yours sincerely