NorthConnex

Please see attached.

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 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/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.

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 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/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.

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 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/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.

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 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/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 think the project will affect adversely the health of the people, especially the kids in those schools residing in this area.

I am generally in favour of the project proposal but have the following concerns.

The information provided by the NorthConnex project team states that the project will"return local streets to local communities". Nothing in their documentation outlines how this will be achieved. In fact their presentations suggest that travel times on Pennant Hills road will continue to increase after the completion of the project by 50% for southbound am peak and 25% for northbound pm peak for the first 10 years of operation. With delays on local roads such as Beecroft Rd, Boundry Rd, CastleHill Rd, Comenarra Parkway and Duffy Ave currently causing much frustration and increase in travel times, one can hardly be expected to believe the forecast increases in congestion will make these roads any better. Delays on Beecroft road during typical Friday pm peak can stretch from Cheltenham to Pennant Hills Rd.

The resulting "Rat runs" through local neighbourhood streets has not been addressed. The forecast construction heavy vehicle movements of 4960 per day during peak construction has these vehicles travelling in local streets as well as on Pennant Hills Rd, further adding to delays and increase in traffic, my assumption, on the rat runs. The rat run from the Comenarra Parkway along Wood, Paling, Cavendish, Pomona or Albion Streets is one I can comment on with first hand experience. There is no footpath in Cavendish St and parents taking children to the school bus stop in Cavendish have to wheel strollers/prams on the road to reach the bus stop. Unattended Primary school aged children also meet and play at the bus stop. The traffic at around 8.35am when the bus is due is already heavy, up to 40 vehicle movements in a 5 minute period period. The speed of the vehicles is also an issue as Cavendish St is down hill from Paling and then a climb to Pomona. Vehicles tend to increase speed to the dip from both directions where the bus stop is sited. Getting out of our driveway can take 3 or 4 minutes at this time of day as vehicles turn into Cavendish and rush down the hill or come in the opposite direction. Some sort of traffic calming is necessary. A stop sign at the Cavendish/ Paling intersection would also assist in slowing the traffic rushing toward Paling and making a right turn without due care.

Traffic on Pennant Hills Rd usually keeps intersections clear when the road is marked, however, the intersection with Pomona St ,which has a right turn bay travelling north on Pennant Hills Road, is often blocked during am and pm peaks making turns difficult and often dangerous for locals and rat runners alike. There is a need to paint 'keep clear' lines and sign at this intersection.

I iwsh to make a submission re the NorthConnes Project.

I have been a resident of Wahroonga since 1996, before the F3 freeway was opened to the Pacific Highway and Pennant Hills Road. I have no specific qualifications to talk about the project but as a resident have concerns that are similar to organisations who are more informed and are making submiissions.

I ould like to endorse the submissions made (yet to be submitted at this date, 5/9/2014) by the following organisations:
1. CAPS
2. Hornsby Shire Council
3. Ku-ring-gai Council

I am disappointed that the project did not address at the same time the problem of traffic entering the M1 from the Pacific Highway, both north and south.

NorthConnex 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 NorthConnex and the Department of Planning. In regards to the NorthConnex Tunnel, I'm concern about about:

1) Placement of the north ventilation stack I the centre of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga, where my child is one of 9,300 children who 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 and suggest the impacts of air pollutants on health are serious. These include increase death from heart disease, increase risks of lung cancer, stroke, poor lung growth in children, increase asthma, and recent research suggesting low birth weight for pregnant women, increase autism, and congenital heart defects. These studies confirm air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects in 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 tht department pf planning does not approve the project in its current form.
2) I also request that alternative options to ease congestion on Pennant Hills Road be considered such as an orbital surface route.

Sarah Hodges
23a Stewart Ave
Hornby NSW 2077

NorthConnex 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 NorthConnex and the Department of Planning. In regards to the NorthConnex Tunnel, I'm concern about about:

1) Placement of the north ventilation stack I the centre of a densely populated residential area in Wahroonga, where my child is one of 9,300 children who 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 and suggest the impacts of air pollutants on health are serious. These include increase death from heart disease, increase risks of lung cancer, stroke, poor lung growth in children, increase asthma, and recent research suggesting low birth weight for pregnant women, increase autism, and congenital heart defects. These studies confirm air pollutants have prothrombotic and inflammatory effects in 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 tht department pf planning does not approve the project in its current form.
2) I also request that alternative options to ease congestion on Pennant Hills Road be considered such as an orbital surface route.

Adrian Hodges
23a Stewart Ave
Hornby NSW 2077

September 5. 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 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,

We are concerned about:

1.Safety and Privacy

We have been informed that the noise walls of M2 nearby my property, West Pennant Hills may potentially require relocation to allow for construction work to take place. The impact of construction related to safety and privacy would be easily indicated. As the noise walls only 2m away from my fence, we are becoming nervous and stressful.

2.Devalue of our property

We are considering putting our property in the market in recently years. If the project implement, the properties affected would be no doubt devalued. No one would like to see big project construction site near backyard and ventilator nearby. It would be very hard to run the process of sale (oped house days, inspection days and etc.)

3.Pollution

a) Placement of the north and south ventilation stacks in the centre of a densely populated residential area.

b) 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.

c) 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.

d) 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.


e) 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.

September 5. 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 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,

We are concerned about:

1.Safety and Privacy

We have been informed that the noise walls of M2 nearby my property, West Pennant Hills may potentially require relocation to allow for construction work to take place. The impact of construction related to safety and privacy would be easily indicated. As the noise walls only 2m away from my fence, we are becoming nervous and stressful.

2.Devalue of our property

We are considering putting our property in the market in recently years. If the project implement, the properties affected would be no doubt devalued. No one would like to see big project construction site near backyard and ventilator nearby. It would be very hard to run the process of sale (oped house days, inspection days and etc.)

3.Pollution

a) Placement of the north and south ventilation stacks in the centre of a densely populated residential area.

b) 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.

c) 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.

d) 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.


e) 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.

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.
Firstly 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. 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 confi rm
air pollutants have prothrombotic and infl ammatory 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 it's 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
name withheld
wahroonga

In principal; I support the development of current infrastructure to relieve Pennant Hills Road of congestion.

HOWEVER, I strongly oppose the proposed NorthConnex solution with particular reference to the location of the Northern smoke stack, being in such a heavily built-up residential area, including many schools and a hospital.

I am concerned that NorthConnex have not done the proper due diligence to undertake in such a massive project. In their presentation of the current science and modelling - reassuring us that there would be a 'negligible impact' on air quality and health - the air quality monitoring has been conducted in Lindfield and Prospect - areas which are not relevant to where the proposed smoke stacks will be. There has been absolutely no account made for local air patterns or local topography.

NorthConnex's modelling is fundamentally flawed.

Therefore, the long-term health effects cannot be accurately forecast for residents in the local area.

I appreciate that the project needs to be commercially viable in order to be built, but not at the cost of the health of local residents. Some mention was made at the 29th July meeting in Hornsby of the increase in respiratory problems of residents near the Lane Cove Tunnel smoke stacks, however, this was quickly dismissed by the panel. Mention was also made of how the EIS stated that measuring PM1 would be a better indicator for this tunnel, for which only PM2.5 and PM10 have been included. Again, answers were given which left me feeling like there are some significant gaps in this EIS.

As a local resident this is too big a risk to take on the health of our children and future generations, and we implore our government to take action and address these issues!

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 that I object to the project as describted in the EIS.

I am most concerned regarding the following issues and request that these be considered by NorthConnex and the Department of Planning. Regarding the NorthConnex proposed tunnel, I am concerned about:

1. The placement of the northern emissions stack. This is proposed to be in the centre of Wahroonga in a densely populated residential area where 9,500 school children, many aged care facilities as well as hospitals and businesses and homes will all be exposed to the pollution emitted from this stack.

2. I am very concerned regarding the many large scale studies that suggest the impacts of air pollution on health are extremely serious. These include increased cases of death from heart disease, increased risks of lung cancer, stroke and poor lung growth in children. Also increased asthma, adverse effects on pregnant women including low birth weight, and in some instances, increased cases of autism and congenital heart defects.

To address my above concerns, I request the following:

1. 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.

2. I also request that alternative transport solutions to ease the congestion on Pennant Hills Road be considered and strongly suggest that a ring road would be a more healthy option.

Bridget Boyle
118A Coonanbarra Road
Wahroonga NSW 2076

re: NorthConnex SSI 13_6136

I OBJECT to the above proposal as described in the exhibited EIS. My objection is confined to the proposed location of the northern ventilation stack IF IT IS UNFILTERED to a standard that meets WORLD'S BEST PRACTICE. If the ventilation stack is to be adequately filtered to remove particles of pollution small enough to be taken into a human lung then this objection will not be pursued.

I understand that the proposed tunnel is designed to be approximately six times the length of the Sydney Harbour Tunnel or the Lane Cove Tunnel and it will have only two ventilation stacks, one at either end. The ventilation system will be designed to cater for four lanes of traffic initially, ie two lanes in each direction in separated tunnels, and for a third lane of traffic, one extra in each direction, in the future.

The inescapable fact is that all pollution from vehicle traffic using up to 54 kilometres of roadway (6 lanes x 9 kilometres) is intended to be emitted in a concentrated form at the tunnel portals. Connex specifically boasts that this traffic will include 5000 heavy vehicles per day that each will initially pay $17 per trip, ie $85000 per day in toll fees from large trucks alone.

Connex states that the blame for pollution belongs to the tunnel users. Be this as it may, blame for the CONCENTRATION of that pollution lies with Connex, and the Department of Planning if the proposal is approved.

The precautionary principle should apply in the case of the NorthConnex proposal. Comparisons with other tunnel operations are meaningless given that existing Sydney tunnels are much shorter, handle far less traffic and certainly take no where near 5000 heavy vehicles per day.

If the northern ventilation stack is constructed as proposed, ie with no treatment of exhaust gases whatsoever, the Director General of Planning is on notice that it may be the creation of an asbestos like problem affecting many thousands of residents in coming years. Prudence dictates that this risk should be avoided, especially as effective pollution filtering equipment is readily available and can easily be incorporated at the design stage.

Air pollution filtration must be required as a condition of development consent.

Spoilage truck routing via Aiken, Oakes, Eaton Roads to Southern Interchange tunnels:

* Confirmation of the NorthConnex spoilage dumpsites is needed before the project is approved

* Once the dump sites are known, there are many alternatives for spoilage truck routes that do not require access to any local roads, especially the Aiken, Oates, Eaton, Karloon, Eaton Rds loop currently proposed.

* The ideal situation is for continuous flow from M2 directly into pick up site, then exit north along PHRd to dump, returning via PHRd to the pick up sites further north along PHRd then to travel filled, along PHRd onto M2 to westerly dump site.

* If the above is not practical for whatever reason, the second most valid option is for an additional traffic light allowing trucks travelling south along PHRd to turn right directly into pick up point and if necessary to exit via the same traffic light to turn right into PHRd & then onto M2.

* A third alternative is to install a right turn lane at PHRd-Copeland Rd intersection, so empty trucks travelling south along PHRd can turn into Eaton Rd and along to the pick up point.

* Local roads already exceed their planned capacity. The Eaton Rd/PHRd area is already heavily congested , especially in peak hour, where any additional trucks would create chaos, let alone up to 56 per hour. There is no area for trucks to queue waiting their turn to enter the pick up point.

* Allowing truck access puts pedestrians (adult, school age and young children) at severe risk.

* The local roads will require very expensive widening and upgrading, plus significant ongoing maintenance.

* Spoilage trucks need only use PHRd and M2, not local roads

As a resident of Gum Grove Place West Pennant Hills I have many concerns about the proposed NorthConnex M1-M2 project.

1. Pearlman inquiry in 2007 said the best route was a western route with a secondary Hawkesbury crossing but the NorthConnex proposal is to be Pennant Hills Road.

2. West Pennant Hills Valley will be severely disrupted by by this proposal .the unfiltered ventilation stack to be built so close to homes will cause many health problems. XXXXXXX so I fear that this lack of filtered air and close proximity to my home will hasten my disease and perhaps lead to an early death. The southern stack needs to be not only filtered but moved away from home.

3. There is a heavy vehicle route proposed for up to 1500 trucks per day using Aiken,Oakes, karloon and Eaton roads. These roads are very busy now especially in mornings and evenings so the extra trucks using these roads will make the roads extremely dangerous.

4.the M2 integration work will create excessive noise for us as nearby residents.

5. Up to 40 litres/ second of treated water will flow into Blue Gum creek resulting in erosion, flooding and property damage.

6. 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 already queue to exit at peak times.

7 it is likely that new "rat- run" will develop from adjoining suburbs trying to access the tunnel.

Southern interchange ventilation stack:

* I am very confused between what the personnel at the NorthConnex showroom at Pennant Hills advise me and what I have read in the EIS from what I am seeing on television, hearing on the radio and reading in newspapers from health experts: doctors, scientists, professors, etc. Who is correct?

* I am not convinced that one ventilation stack for 10km of tunnel is the most effective technique.

* What is the back-up strategy if fumes exceed allowable emission levels at the southern ventilation outlet?

* What is the impact of precipitating fumes on nearby areas (we live in the valley immediately west of the stack) when there is no wind?

* What does the dispersion model look like if the ventilation outlet is situated on the SW corner of PH Golf Course?

* What ventilation extraction tunnels are to be installed between the two southern bound tunnel outlets? What length of each tunnel will have no extraction?

I have a high level of concern for the NorthConnex and the Department of planning.
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. Thes include increased death from heart disease, increased risks of lung cancer, stroke, poor lung growth in children, increased asthma, and recent studies 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.