NorthConnex

NORTHCONNEX Southern interchange
Surface water impacts - Upper Parramatta River catchment (Darling Mills Creek).

This environmental aspect has not been separately assessed or provided with a technical report unlike the other identified impacts. An assumption is made that the creeks here are degraded and so no assessment is warranted. This defies due diligence especially when the anticipated increase surface water output into the catchment and the possible pollutants it will carry are neither stated nor analysed. It also is a subjective statement that conceals the fact that the surface water impacts from the project will most likely further degrade the health of the stream. The environment of upper

Darling Mills Creek needs to be visited in-person before such an assertion is made. Asserting that no environmental duty-of-care is needed is not useful.

I think we can be confident that any surface water flow from a major roadway project is unlikely to improve the quality of the water in the stream. I accept the impact might be small but by omitting it from consideration for the reasons given is not credible for an EIS of this magnitude.

It is difficult to evaluate if designed controls are appropriate if the risk is not quantified. Reliance is made on 'the comprehensive water sampling program' undertaken by the Hills Shire Council. The only sampling that occurs in Darling Mills Creek is well downstream and is designed to evaluate stormwater flows from the Loyalty Road industrial area at North Rocks. The validity of relying on this sampling quite distant from the project site is not explained.

This issue has been highlighted to the project team but they have not provided a response. I have made a number of enquires since 16 July but have not had a meaningful or complete response. This in itself is unsatisfactory and a concern in addition to the lack of thoroughness in the assessment to not consider surface water impacts.

Can we have an addendum to the EIS that properly and objectively evaluates surface water impacts?

Note this submission does not consider other catchments where similar assumptions and lack of assessment may have also occurred and should also be independently assessed.

I do not object to the project due to community benefit but I do object to the EIS /design appearing incomplete. For this reason I am making the choice 'I object'

Pevlin Price
Steamwatch volunteer - Darling Mills Creek

The exhaust stacks ought to be located closer to the centre of the link, and not at either end.
Surely the natural movement of vehicles will bring a good deal of exhaust to the ends anyway, so why put the exhausts at the ends?

I am greatly concerned with the above project for the following reasons:
- the placement of a huge stack on pennant hills Road on the residential side of the road. This stack should instead be placed on the golf course side
- insufficient filtration of fumes from the stack will affect the health of my family. Studies have shown that these kind of gases released into our residential area can cause health problems
- impact and road safety affected by heavy vehicles going through our streets during the construction stages. Heavy vehicles should never be allowed on residential streets in the volume projected and alternative routes shall be found.
- impact of the control centre on traffoi volume in our streets
- impact of the project ie stack, office blocks, heavy traffic on property value in the area

NorthConnex Application Number SSI 13-6136
Please find my submission in response to the exhibition of the EIS for NorthConnex.
I object to the NorthConnex tunnel 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.

I am concerned about the impacts of air pollutants on health and the absence of any consideration of the needs for cyclist

The NorthConnex Project in its current form is designed to support only a limited range of road transport, namely motor transport. While motor transport offers high flexibility, it also has high energy demand and area use, and is a significant contributor to noise and air pollution. Inclusion of detailed plans for travel by bicycle, the most energy-efficient form of travel ever devised, are not included in the project plans in its present form. The tunnel and reconfiguration of Pennant Hills Road should be considered as a single integrated project and inclusion of the needs of cyclists should be consistent with the NSW Government document "Sydney's Cycling Future", Dec 2013, endorsed by Gladys Berejiklain, Minister for Transport which emphasises that "the needs of bike riders are built into the planning of new transport and infrastructure projects".

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 that the Department of Planning does not approve the project until a detailed cycling infrastructure plan is explicitly included as part of the delivery of the NorthConnex project.
2. I also request that alternative transport options to ease traffic congestion on Pennant Hills Rd be considered such as the inclusion of cycling infrastructure and facilities along this route. Future improvement of conditions on Pennant Hills Road should therefore be fully detailed and defined as part of the project approval process.

Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment
Number SSI 13-6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

North Connex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

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

Firstly, I would like to state 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 North Connex 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. 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 significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the Department of Planning and Environment 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.

Vicki Hughes
11 The Glade Wahroonga

see attached

1. Relocation of noise barriers behind our property, will create noise, allergens, pollution and destruction of the gum trees behind our property.
2. If the gum trees are destroyed, it may lead to any termite nests being disturbed and they are likely to attack properties in the vicinity causing hundreds of thousands of damage to said properties.
3. Pearlman Inquiry in 2007 said the best route was a new western route with a second Hawkesbury Crossing but the NorthConnex proposal is for twin motorway tunnels under Pennant Hills Road.
4.West Pennant Hills is getting more than it's fair share of noise, disruption and motorway infrastructure compared to suburbs further north. The ventilation stack is being put in West Pennant Hills to save money at the construction stage, but it will need an additional stub tunnel to connect it to the main southbound tunnel which runs under the golf course. It will also need additional fans during operation, wasting a lot of power. In the EIS it says the best place for a ventilation stack is over the main alignment tunnel - so it should be on the golf course side of Pennant Hills Road. This would also move it further from houses.
5.The stacks won't be filtered. Transurban's predictions for a negligible impact on our air quality may not be reliable. Even if filtration is not installed at outset, there should be provisions to retrofit if necessary. Diesel emission are a group 1 carcinogen, please do not leave a legacy of cancer for our kids.
6.Air quality in the vicinity of the stack should be monitored independently throughout the life of the project. Otherwise, how will we know whether the extraction fans are being used properly?. They are expensive to run and could be run at low speed, or switched off, to save money if air quality isn't monitored.
7.There is a heavy vehicle route proposed for up to 1500 trucks per day using Aiken, Oakes, Karloon and Eaton Roads. Heavy vehicles must be kept off local roads. This is nothing but utter nonsense and should that Transurban has utter disregard for local residents. It take we more than half an hour to drop my kids to schools which are less than 2 kms away due to the already high traffic particularly during peak hours. Adding trucks to the mix will only mean that we sit for hours in traffic every day.
8.M2 integration works will create excessive noise for nearby residents. Heavy vehicle noise cameras were promised after the M2 upgrade, but haven't been installed yet.
9.Up to 40litres/second of treated water will be discharged into Blue Gum Creek, resulting in erosion, local flooding and property damage. We are still waiting for the creek to be rehabilitated following the M2 construction and upgrade works. Any extra discharge to the creek will exacerbate problems.
10.There is no direct connection to the M2 East. Vehicles will need to exit the southbound tunnel onto Pennant Hills Road, then queue at lights to join the M2 east. This may cause queuing in the exit tunnel, particularly at peak times.
11.It's likely that new 'rat-runs' will develop for traffic from adjoining suburbs trying to access the tunnel.

see attached

Dear Director-Infrastructur Projects:
Firstly I would like to state that I object to the project as described in the EIS.

Like all ordinary householders, one of my greatest concerns is the value of my property. I have a very high level of concern regarding the values of the properties near the northern ventilation stack and portal exit of the NorthConnex in Wahroonga and I believe that the values of properties in the affected area will decline due to the tunnel exit and ventilation stack etc.

The value of residential properties is a crucial factor for owners because people spend most of their earnings on their properties, formed from a combination of their own time, hard work and life savings.

The impact of decreasing property values to owners will be huge. This impact can be reflected through financial, emotional and psychological states that may eventually cause a series of diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer and psychological disorders. For local residents, the health risks of decreasing property values to human beings are the same as the aforementioned risks of air pollution that will be produced from the stack and portal exit.

NorthConnex claims that there is no evidence to suggest that property prices would drop based on a project of this nature.

However, there is much evidence to show that the value of property near the proposed stack and portal exit in the Wahroonga area is dropping.

Winter time is usually not a favourable season to sell properties. But this winter has been unusually cold and cruel for the house owners on Benson Close and Woonona Ave between Junction Road and Alexandria Parade, which are the most affected streets on the west side of the M1. 12 of total 39 properties in this area were thrown on the market. You can see the amount of fear, anxiety, stress and horror that has emerged within the local community after the location of the stack and portals was released, forcing many to sell their properties in order to escape from the pending pollution.

The SMH of 09-08-2014 released a property growth chart for 2014 which indicated that Wahroonga has fallen into the one of the10 lowest growth suburbs with only 3.9% growth (please see the link: http://smh.domain.com.au/real-estate-news/sydneys-fastest-growing-suburbs-20140807-1012kt.html?utm_source=social&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn%3Afac-13omn1676-edtrl-other%3Annn-17%2F02%2F2014-edtrs_socialshare-all-nnn-nnn-vars-o ).

The information from Your Investment Property shows that house growth in Wahroonga was10.90% in the last 12 months and 0% in the last quarter (see the link: http://www.yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au/top-suburbs/nsw-2076-wahroonga.aspx ). The timing of this data perfectly corresponds to release of the location of the stack and portal exit, further reinforcing the fact that the recent decrease in Wahroonga property prices has been directly caused by the stack and portal exit's planned location.

NorthConnex also claims that: ".....(property values) but rather, transport infrastructure projects have a positive impact on property values in their vicinity based on improved amenity, connectivity, savings in travel costs and attractiveness to investors."

It is obvious that the above NorthConnex statement does not fit the case of the properties located around the proposed location of the stack and portal exit. Rather, this claim only refers to the properties along Pennant Hills Road, which will be positively impacted in terms of property values, where noise and pollution has been predicted to reduce significantly on Pennant Hills Road after the implementation of the tunnel. In the meantime however, the property values near the stack and portal exit will definitely be decreasing due to the additional noise and toxic air pollution emitting from the tunnel and the increased risks of tunnel accidents and stack explosions.
How can you guarantee that the prices of the properties around the proposed stack and portal exit will not be affected? How can you guarantee that these houses will continue to sell at the value that they would be worth if there had been no stack and portal exit?
It is clear that the proposed location of the stack and portal exit will drag down property values in adjacent areas. As a result of this project, the residents of the affected areas will suffer financial, emotional and potential psychological problems that may eventually lead a series of diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, cancer and even psychological disorders.

To address these residential concerns, I request that the location of the stack and portal exit be moved to a non-residential area.

I do not support the Nortconnex Application(Number SSI 136136) for the following reasons:The placement of the northern ventilation stack in the middle of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga will result in exposing thousands of school children,local residents,residents in hospitals and aged care facilities to environmental pollutants.There is a large volume of credible research on the adverse effects of such exposure on health which include an increased risk of cardiac disease,lung cancer and strokes just to name a few.Reassurances to the contrary from the company behind the project cannot be relied upon as there is an obvious conflict of interest.The department cannot possibly approve this project without having the health risks assessed by an independent body which does not have a financial interest in this project!

concerns are as follows

1. The amount of traffic on Eastbourne Avenue coming from both directions and the nature of the poor condition of the road could lead to deterioration of the road
2. Given the increase in traffic flow to an already extremely busy road entering and exit from Seaton Avenue during peak times could become impossible.
3. My house is located on the corner of Seaton Avenue and Eastbourne Avenue at the crest of the hill which is a blind spot and the increase in traffic could lead to car accidents and with the absence of no footpath or traffic footpath crossing provision this also makes pedestrian access extremely dangerous when crossing the road from both side.
4. There should be some traffic measure in place to cope with the excess vehicle traffic.
5. The site access states standard construction hours and then refers to 24 hours access - what are the exact allowable access hours as the fact sheet is misleading in this regard
6. Your map outlines the light vehicle access road which appears to lead to the RTA reserve located to the west of our front boundary - your fact sheet does not refer to what you intend to use this area for at all.

PROPOSED HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC ROUTE during construction of the NorthConnex project

I am writing to object to the proposed heavy truck route during
construction of the NorthConnex project. The EIS indicates that trucks will be travelling down Aiken Road, Oakes Road Karloon and Eaton Road to enter the work site.

An alternative route is necessary as:
(1) impact on many residences, residents bordering on the proposed route even to the extent of entering/leaving their properties

(2) commuter parking as many people park in all of these streets when catching buses to the city

(3) emergency vehicles would incur difficulties in navigating Aiken road due to number of trucks being involved in this project. there are two nursing homes/retirement homes off Hill Road - access via Aiken Road

(4) there are three roundabouts to be negotiated by the heavy vehicles with the hardest being the roundabout at Oakes/Eaton road - chances of a major accidents occurring

(5) Peak hour traffic movements during AM & PM

(6) damage to local council roads which currently have a 3 tonne limit

My suggestion would be for:

(a) a right hand turn - for trucks only- at Pennant Hills Road and Eaton road intersection to enter the work site rather than using Aiken Road and surrounding roads.

As traffic going north has to stop for turning traffic off Pennant Hills Road into Aiken Road NOW having a right hand turn for the trucks at Eaton Road would not be causing any further traffic delays

A right hand lane would need to be added and additional traffic light would need to be installed -much lower costs when considering the inconvenience to residents and destruction to the local council roads

SOUTHERN STACK

Southern stack is to be unfiltered which does not appear to be a healthy option - the M5 has issues would the RMS not have learned from that experience?

can this be constructed on other land (Pennant Hills Golf Course?)

I have a high level of concern regarding the North Connex tunnel, in particular

1. placement of the unfiltered northern ventilation stack close to schools, hospitals, aged care facilities, hospitals and homes.
2. various research studies have linked air pollution to cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, asthma and other health effects.
to address my concern, I request that the department of planning refuse to approve the project in its current form.

Director - Infrastructure Projects
Department of Planning and Environment
Number SSI 13-6136
Major Projects Assessment
GPO Box 39
SYDNEY NSW 2001

North Connex Application Number: SSI 13_6136

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

Firstly, I would like to state 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 North Connex 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. 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 significant health concerns of the current project design, I request the Department of Planning and Environment 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.

Dear Sir/Madam,

The concerns I would like a response to are as follows:

1. Why has there been no consideration to the raised elevation of the Wahroonga end of the tunnel when it is known that
a) this will increase noise and exhaust pollution particularly with loaded trucks having to unnecessarily accelerate when travelling north toward the tunnel exit as the elevation increases by 51m; and
b) by extending the tunnel approximately 1km further north the elevation would remain level at the 140m mark.
It would appear as though the only motive for having the proposed entrance/exit point at the Wahroonga end is cost.

2.Nowhere does there appear to be any evidence of analysis undertaken of other proposed entry points at the Wahroonga end and the explanation that all of the required environmental standards are complied with is not satisfactory when there are residents, particularly children and the elderly who will be unnecessarily impacted by this project which could be moved 1km or so north and be in an industrial area.

3. Cost v Benefit Analysis of Extending Tunnel 1km North
Although the costs of extending the tunnel by 1 kilometre to the north of the proposed point at the Wahroonga end, there are two financial options available to recover these costs:
a) there will be a substantial amount of land which can be sold where the current freeway is; and
b) increase the toll proposed for the new tunnel

I look forward to your responses to the above but after all the government is representing the people and the people are clearly and justifiably not happy with what appears to be a very flawed and biased proposal.

Regards
Michael Payne

The unfiltered exhaust air is a big concern to parents of children who study at Waitara Primary school. Government should reconsider the health impact of this project to local community.

As a resident of Loch Maree Avenue, Thornleigh, right near the proposed operational facility to be erected between Loch Maree Avenue and Trelawney Streets, I am concerned about a number of factors.

Primarily, the excessive increase in local traffic (via my street) during construction in the form of truck movements. I believe this would be better located on the western side of Pennant Hills Road which is already a more industrial/commercial area, with the local shops, Bunnings, McDonalds, Ibis and Kennards Storage facility - not to mention the overflow carpark. Any number of these facilities could be acquired and built over for the proposed facility required by Northconnex, without affecting local residential traffic and interests as much.

Secondly, any air quality changes. I have read in detail Northconnex's assertion that air quality would have a "negligible" impact on local residents, but in the same paragraph they assert an example of if all residents lived in the most affected area, there would be an effect. This is contradictory and no matter how minor any impact would be perceived to be, as a mother with asthma herself, and with a 1 year old daughter whose lungs are still developing, any impact is too much. I understand that tunnel filtration is not yet used in Australia, but what's wrong with Northconnex being innovative? Why can't we be a nation leader in this regard, with the local government showing that they care about their constituent's health and well being and will go above and beyond what is presently the norm to ensure they receive the best outcomes.

Lastly, I am also concerned about noise during the proposed four year construction period. This is more of an annoyance concern however and is far less substantial than the aforementioned health and liveability concerns.

I must stress that I do not object to the tunnel in principle. In fact, I support it. I just want to request that the best measures are undertaken to minimise negative impact during construction and eventually during use.

Thanks for your time.

I'm very concerned about the "unfiltered pollution stacks" which will be built in Wahroonga end of the NorthConnex.

My child is in a nearby school, together with many other schools and several hospitals.

I'm a scientific person so I want to know whether there is analysis based on scence about whether the air quality in the nearby area of the stacks will be adversely affected when the stacks are built and in use.

I also want to know whether there is a plan to monitor the air quality there beforfe and after stacks in operation so as to compare, and whether the results will be open to see by the community. if the evidence shows there is significant degradation in air quality, will the NSW Gov and/or NorthConnex commit to resolving the issue and dissolve community concerns?

I object to the location of the stacks in Wahroonga as currently reported by the media. I hope the location can be pushed further from schools and hospitals and into a more inductrial area (maybe further north as I heard from other suggestions).

I look forward to receiving feedback from you WRT my comments and this submission.

This cannot go ahead. How can you knowingly play down the health ramifications! It's abhorrent!! If you're determined to go ahead with the pollution stacks MUST be filtered and monitored on a very regular basis. You clearly have no regard to the local residents. Let me tell you this......the area votes Liberal, make the mistake of going through with this and watch how fast the Liberal Party gets the boot and the next elections!

I understand that this project will benefit economy and environment in the long term but it will cause inconvenience to people like me and my family, As mentioned in your letter about EIS impact, the noise level will increase further and will cause health issue for my family.

As per the research, noise can caused damage to people's health and even have bad effects to their lives years after the effects. Noise can caused bigger damage to children as well. And I have child living with me everyday and I don't want this happens to them.

I hope that government can consider people more than the economic benefits and think in our shoes to install necessary protection ahead of the project.

Regards,
Hongmei Fu