WestConnex. Building for the Future: M4 East (Stage 1) Community Feedback Report. April 2014 ISBN:

Transcription

1 WestConnex Building for the Future: M4 East (Stage 1) Community Feedback Report April 2014 ISBN:

2 Contents Executive summary Introduction and background Purpose of this report Communication and consultation activities Communication activities Consultation activities and events on the concept design Project information phone line Project Online Have your Say forms and subscribe for updates Stakeholder meetings Individual property meetings Community information sessions Media coverage Other engagement activities Community feedback Property impacts Property acquisition Property values Accessibility and community connections Traffic and transport Traffic safety Traffic volume, modelling and congestion Local road impacts Public transport services and accessibility Pedestrian and cyclist facilities Construction traffic Access Air quality, ventilation and health M4 East Community Feedback Report

3 3.3.1 Air quality and monitoring Tunnel ventilation and filtration systems Health impacts Concept design Project justification Funding and tolling Concept design Alternatives Open space, recreational and community facilities Heritage and environmental impacts Non-Aboriginal heritage Flora and fauna Drainage and flooding Noise and vibration Noise modelling and mitigation Construction noise and vibration Operational noise and vibration Property condition surveys Amenity Visual amenity Operational amenity Urban revitalisation Construction Staging and duration Construction compounds Community consultation process Local feedback maps Next steps Appendix 1: Concept Design Community Update Appendix 2: Stakeholder feedback requested to be published M4 East Community Feedback Report 3

4 Executive summary The preliminary concept design for the WestConnex M4 East project was announced on 28 November 2013 and displayed for comment until 17 February A range of communication and consultation activities were carried out during this period to inform the community about the concept design and to seek feedback. Objectives The objectives of the communication and consultation activities were to: Raise awareness - of the M4 East concept design and the WestConnex project. Engage with key stakeholders and affected local communities - early in the planning process, so issues raised can help refine the concept design and inform the environmental impact statement (EIS) Allow face to face dialogue - between community members and the WestConnex project team (including a range of specialists) Engage early with property owners - regarding the potential need for property acquisition for the construction and operation of the M4 East. Activities Communication and engagement activities included: Delivery of the M4 East concept design community update to more than 105,000 residences and businesses 11 newspaper advertisements to promote the concept display and invite feedback More than 85 individual meetings regarding property acquisition and discussions with nearby owners More than 15 stakeholder meetings with industry, government, businesses and local service providers More than 600 face to face discussions with team members at seven community information sessions Feedback Feedback on the M4 East concept design was received via: more than 390 received Have your Say online form more than 100 received Phone calls more than 320 calls received Letters more than 640 letters received of which about 600 were form letters Face to face discussions with project team members at community information sessions. Some of the most frequently raised concerns include: Property impacts, impacts on property values and property acquisition Flemington Paddy s Market community information session 4 M4 East Community Feedback Report

5 Impact on Ashfield Park and the residential areas of Homebush, Concord, Ashfield and Haberfield Air quality monitoring and concern about potential health impacts from tunnel and ventilation outlet emissions Lack of detail in the concept design particularly the location of project infrastructure and a request for more detailed information on traffic data and the business case Traffic modelling and traffic congestion Construction impacts including noise, vibration, dust and construction traffic impacts. Next steps This feedback will be used by the motorway design team to refine the design and by the EIS team to ensure issues and concerns are considered and addressed in the environmental assessment. Updates will be made available to the community as the project progresses and the EIS will be placed on public exhibition late in 2014 when the community will have another opportunity to provide feedback. M4 East Community Feedback Report 5

6 1. Introduction and background WestConnex will be a 33 kilometre motorway linking Sydney s West and south-west with Sydney s CBD, and the gateways of Sydney Airport and Port Botany. WestConnex will enable the improved movement of economic goods, services and people that cannot be moved by any mode of transport other than road. WestConnex will enable the efficient relocation of much of the traffic currently clogging our roads as food, consumables and building materials are moved to service Sydney s population and economic needs. WestConnex will ease local traffic congestion, reduce pollution and emissions created by stop/start traffic movements and enable the reconnection of suburbs bisected by existing flows. The most notable improvements will be along the Parramatta Road corridor where the reduction of east/west movements will reconnect suburbs like Concord with Strathfield and Five Dock with Croydon. These changed traffic patterns will encourage the regeneration of local economic activities via urban renewal and a greater sense of local communities. WestConnex is a key recommendation of the State Infrastructure Strategy and will be the largest integrated transport and urban revitalisation project in Australia. The motorway will be built in three stages over 10 years and will cost between $11-$11.5 billion ($2012). The NSW Government is investing $1.8 billion in WestConnex, with the Australian Government contributing $1.5 billion. The Stage 1 M4 East motorway preliminary concept design includes a road tunnel from the M4 to Parramatta Road and City West Link, Haberfield. The M4 East tunnel will start around 800 metres west of Concord Road with ramps connecting to Concord Road, M4, Wattle Street and Parramatta Road, east of Wattle Street. The current M4 connections to Concord Road and Parramatta Road will be retained. Connections include: At Concord Road a new access ramp to the WestConnex tunnel eastbound At Concord Road a new exit ramp from the WestConnex tunnel westbound At M4 Motorway a new exit ramp from the WestConnex tunnel westbound to Parramatta Road via the M4 Motorway An entry to the WestConnex tunnel westbound, from Parramatta Road east of Wattle Street, Haberfield and from the City West Link at Haberfield An exit from the Westconnex tunnel eastbound, to Parramatta Road east of Wattle Street, Haberfield and to the City West Link at Haberfield. Construction work on the M4 East is due to commence in mid 2016 and is expected to be open to traffic in early Figure 1 indicates the timing for the planning and delivery of the M4 East motorway. 6 M4 East Community Feedback Report

7 Figure 1. M4 East planning process and construction timeline 1.1 Purpose of this report This M4 East Community Feedback Report outlines the consultation activities held during the M4 East concept design display period from the 28 of November 2013 until 17 February It provides a summary of the comments received, and concerns and questions raised by stakeholders and the community during this period. This feedback was received via the project information line, project , letters, seven community information sessions and other project meetings. The feedback received has been grouped into issue categories and sub-categories and is presented in Chapter 3. A large number of the comments received refer to specific local areas along the M4 East corridor and in response to this feedback, local area maps have been prepared summarising issues raised for Homebush, Concord and Haberfield / Ashfield. These maps are presented in Chapter 4. M4 East Community Feedback Report 7

8 This early consultation period on the M4 East concept design was an opportunity for early community engagement to ensure local ideas and opinions were considered by the project team in the development and environmental assessment phase of the project, rather than during the formal statutory process when the environmental impact statement is displayed. The comments received will be considered and addressed as part of the environmental impact statement (EIS) and will be used to refine the motorway concept. Some stakeholders have requested that their comments be made available to any interested parties as part of planning for WestConnex so this correspondence is attached for information in Appendix 2. 8 M4 East Community Feedback Report

9 2. Communication and consultation activities The objectives of the community and stakeholder involvement during this early planning phase of the project were to: Raise awareness of the M4 East concept design in local communities along the corridor, explain the preliminary concept design and provide information about the project development and approval process Engage key stakeholders and affected local communities early in the planning process, so that issues raised can help refine the concept design and inform the environmental impact statement Provide a range of opportunities for community members to meet with the project team (including a range of specialists) to ask questions and to provide feedback on the concept design Engage early with property owners regarding the potential need for property acquisition for the development of the M4 East Engagement with the community will be ongoing throughout the preparation and exhibition of the EIS and will include a formal submissions process late in Communication activities The following communication activities were carried out to raise awareness of the M4 East concept design and consultation activities being held during the display period. A media announcement releasing the M4 East concept design was made on 28 November by the Minister for Roads and Freight, Duncan Gay Minister for Roads and Freight, Duncan Gay, announced the M4 East concept design Letters were sent to property owners whose properties may be required for the construction of the project More than 50 phone calls were made to property owners, where contact details were available, to discuss the potential acquisition of their property M4 East Community Feedback Report 9

10 Door knocking of approximately 15 residential properties, where the project team was not able to make contact with property owners, to discuss the potential acquisition of properties WestConnex project website updated with frequently asked questions, M4 East concept design community update, media releases, WestConnex Business Case Executive Summary and the Stage 1 overview video. During this period there have been more than 21,000 unique visitors to the WestConnex website (and more than 29,000 visits). WestConnex project broadcasts - Announcement of display of M4 East concept design sent 28 November Reminder of February community information sessions and comments close on 17 February sent 29 January Distribution of the November M4 East community update to more than 105,000 residences and businesses along the M4 East corridor. An unaddressed letter box drop was carried out to the areas outlined in Table 1. Table 1 Distribution areas that received WestConnex M4 East concept design community update Postcode Suburb 1800 Ashfield 1805 Burwood 2045 Haberfield 2040 Leichhardt, Lilyfield 2046 Five Dock, Abbotsford, Canada Bay, Chiswick, Rodd Point, Russell Lea, Wareemba 2047 Drummoyne 2127 Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point, Newington, Homebush Bay 2129 Sydney Markets 2131 Ashfield 2132 Croydon 2134 Burwood, Burwood North 2135 Strathfield 2137 North Strathfield, Concord, Cabarita, Mortlake, Breakfast Point 2138 Concord West, Rhodes, Liberty Grove 2140 Homebush, Homebush South, Homebush West Copies of the M4 East concept design brochures were also placed in: - Council Chambers: Strathfield, Burwood, City of Canada Bay and Ashfield - Local libraries: Ashfield Central Library, Haberfield Branch Library, Burwood Central Library, Five Dock Library, Concord Library and Strathfield Library - Other locations: Five Dock Motor Registry and Burwood Motor Registry 10 M4 East Community Feedback Report

11 Advertisements placed in local and non-english language newspapers to promote the display of the concept design and the community information sessions: - Inner West Courier (3 December 2013 and 28 January 2014) - Burwood Scene online advertisement (ran from 2 December 2013 until 17 February 2014) - Strathfield Scene online advertisement (ran from 2 December 2013 until 17 February 2014) - La Fiamma (5 December 2013 and 30 January 2014) - Sydney Korean Herald (5 December 2013 and 30 January 2014) - Australian Chinese Times (5 December and 30 January 2014) - MX Newspaper (5 February 2014) Advertisement placed in mx Newspaper The concept design display and consultation sessions were also promoted via an advertisement which ran from December 2013 until mid February 2014, on the Roads and Maritime Services website homepage with a link to the WestConnex website for more information. Translation services have been established for eight languages including Arabic, Greek, Italian, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese and Hindi and have been promoted on a wide range of communication materials including on the WestConnex website, on the M4 East concept design brochure and at the information sessions. In addition, the Stage 1 video for WestConnex has been translated into eight languages. 2.2 Consultation activities and events on the concept design Project information phone line The project information line , provided a direct communication channel with the project team for community members and stakeholders to ask questions, arrange individual meetings and discuss individual M4 East Community Feedback Report 11

12 property questions. The 1300 number was answered between 8.30am and 5.00pm and where calls were missed the project team aimed to return calls within one business day Project Community members and stakeholders were invited to provide their comments on the concept design via the project address: Online Have your Say forms and subscribe for updates An online feedback form was available for community members to submit their comments and feedback on the M4 East concept design. A separate online form was made available for people to register their interest in receiving updates on the project Stakeholder meetings More than 15 meetings have been held with industry, government departments and agencies, businesses and local service providers within the M4 East corridor Individual property meetings In addition to the consultation on the concept design, project team members have met with more than 85 property owners and nearby neighbours to discuss the potential impact of the project on individual properties and explain the property acquisition process. Questions were answered on the concept design and concerns were recorded about potential project impacts during construction and operation. Flemington Paddy s Market community information session Community information sessions The community was invited to drop in and speak with project team members during seven community information sessions held during December 2013 and February The purpose of these sessions was to hear ideas and concerns from the community about the concept design, respond to questions and provide further information on the planning and design process following this early consultation period. Up to 12 project team members were available at the information sessions from a range of technical backgrounds including road design, tunnel and ventilation design, environment, traffic and transport planning, urban revitalisation, procurement, project management and communications. Table 2 outlines where and when each of the community sessions were held and the approximate number of people who attended each session. 12 M4 East Community Feedback Report

13 Table 2 Community information sessions and approximate number of attendees Location Date Approximate attendees St John s Church Hall, Ashfield 7 December Michael Maher Room, Dalhousie Street, Haberfield 9 December Concord Library, Concord 14 December Five Dock Leisure Centre, Five Dock Burwood Park Community Centre, Burwood Paddy's Market Flemington, Homebush West 4 February February February Hungry Lions Café, Homebush 12 February Burwood community information session M4 East Community Feedback Report 13

14 2.2.7 Media coverage During the display of the M4 East concept design local and metropolitan media coverage of the project has featured in: Newspapers: Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Australian Financial Review, Sun Herald, Inner West Courier, Burwood Scene, Strathfield Scene, Southern Courier, Inner West Independent and Auburn Review. Television: National Nine News, TEN Eyewitness News, Seven News, Channel 7 Early News, ABC News and SKY News Australia. Radio: 702 ABC radio, 2UE Sydney Drive, 2GB Radio News, 2SM, Triple M, 2DAY FM, WS FM, Mix FM and Smooth FM. Ashfield community information session 14 M4 East Community Feedback Report

15 2.3 Other engagement activities In addition to the community information sessions coordinated by WestConnex Delivery Authority, a number of the team members presented information and responded to questions at a range of other meetings, briefings and discussions with members of the community and key stakeholders during the M4 East concept display period. The table below outlines the dates of these activities and the approximate number of attendees. Engagement activities included: Location Date Approximate attendees Loftus Street residents meeting 16 December Ashfield Council public meeting 16 December WestCon Action Group Rally in Goddard Park, Concord 18 January Concord residents site meeting 30 January Homebush West residents meeting 9 February Strathfield Rotary Club 12 February Ashfield Council public meeting Concord residents site meeting M4 East Community Feedback Report 15

16 3. Community feedback During the display of the M4 East concept design the community provided feedback via a number of channels including 390 s, 640 letters, 320 phone calls, around 100 people provided feedback via the Have Your Say form and more than 600 people spoke directly with project team members during the information sessions providing their comments. Some of the most frequently raised concerns include: Property impacts, impacts on property values and property acquisition Impact on Ashfield Park and the residential areas of Homebush, Concord, Ashfield and Haberfield Air quality monitoring and concern about potential health impacts from tunnel and ventilation outlet emissions Lack of detail in the concept design particularly the location of project infrastructure and a request for more detailed information on traffic data and the WestConnex business case Traffic modelling and traffic congestion Construction impacts including noise, vibration, dust and construction traffic impacts. A summary of the feedback received has been documented below under broad headings that best categorise the range of suggestions and concerns raised. The feedback is not presented in any particular order of importance. 3.1 Property impacts Concerns were raised about the value of properties during and after construction and the changed accessibility to and from some properties following completion of the construction. Some community members have suggested the introduction of new government legislation to fairly compensate nearby property owners and questioned whether compensation would be paid for financial loss to property owners who are in the process of renovating or selling. Feedback from members of the community has been grouped under headings property acquisition, property values and accessibility and community connections Property acquisition Suggest compensation and acquisition legislation be developed to protect the interests of affected and nearby property owners particularly those near project infrastructure including tunnel entry/exit points, access ramps and ventilation outlets. Suggest property acquisition focus on the commercial properties along Parramatta Road, not residential homes, public space and parkland. Question how a fair market price can be determined when recent sales have already shown a depression in the value of properties in the project area? Concern raised about insufficient compensation to enable residents to buy like for like housing in the local area. 16 M4 East Community Feedback Report

17 Request property acquisition consider the high number of buyers that will be forced into the property market competing for a small number of available houses in the local area. Competition will force up house prices beyond current market value. Concern raised about the majority of homes marked for acquisition being located near to existing major roads with a market value less than average for the area making it difficult to find comparable properties at the same price. Suggest the acquisition process be based on reinstatement rather than market value. Request expensive renovations and recent home improvements be considered in the market value of a property. Question what legislation and regulations are in place for compulsory property acquisition? Question how the property value of commercial premises and businesses will be determined? Question whether property acquisition covers capital gains tax which needs to be paid following the sale of commercial property? Suggest the construction footprint fit entirely within the boundaries of acquired properties so that no easement (or similar) needs to be registered on the title deeds of properties. Suggest a suitable parcel of land (for example rezoned Henley Park) is acquired for a fit for purpose residential estate to be built on to relocate displaced residents. Property acquisition process Large sections of WestConnex will be built underground, limiting the impact on properties on the surface. Owners of properties required for acquisition are being consulted individually by WDA. Properties needed for the construction of WestConnex will be acquired under the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation Act) Further information on the acquisition process is available in the RMS Land Acquisition Information Guide which can be found at In addition to the market value of properties acquired for WestConnex, acquisition payments may include provision for: Legal costs including conveyancing (we will reimburse the owner's reasonable legal fees). Valuation fees (we will reimburse the owner's reasonable independent valuation fees). Relocation expenses including stamp duty costs in connection with the purchase of another property of equal value. Mortgage re-establishment costs and other payments. Solatium allowance which is an amount of money to compensate the owner for the inconvenience of having to move residence Property values Concern property values along the project corridor are already being impacted due to the uncertainty surrounding the plans for WestConnex. Question whether compensation will be paid to property owners for a reduction in property values as a result of the project? Suggest property value guarantees be offered to nearby property owners impacted by the project. Comment that this was done as part of the M5 East tunnel development. Question the likely property value impact to homes near to project infrastructure including tunnel entry/exit points, access ramps and ventilation outlets? Concern raised about a reduction in property values due to visual impacts, loss of privacy, reduced access, increased congestion, loss of on-street parking, deterioration in air quality and increased noise. M4 East Community Feedback Report 17

18 Request for compensation to be paid to property owners who can t find tenants during construction Accessibility and community connections Concern that the property acquisition process is dismantling neighbourhoods. Concern the resumption of houses, loss of parkland and new road infrastructure will divide neighbourhoods. Concern the project will displace long established local communities with strong connections to the area, including families with children in local schools and elderly residents reliant on neighbour support and access to local facilities. Concern an increase in buyers, lack of available properties and escalating house prices will prevent many residents whose properties are being acquired from remaining in the area. Concern property acquisition will severely reduce the number of residents on some streets, resulting in a feeling of loss of community, friendship, diminished quality of life and concerns over safety. Concern tunnel access ramps in Concord, Haberfield and Ashfield will isolate some residents, impact on connectivity and sever local road links to facilities and services. Request for WestConnex Delivery Authority to support residents and local Councils in rebuilding connections to local services following the completion of the project. Update on property acquisition The exact number of properties to be acquired for the M4 East will be identified in the EIS and displayed in late Meetings with more than 85 property owners have been held to explain the property acquisition process and potential need to acquire properties for the development of the M4 East. This early discussion with property owners has taken place to provide as much flexibility as possible for property owners. Some property owners have expressed an interest in starting the acquisition process early and others would like more certainty around the concept design before proceeding with acquisition. The project team will work with owners to minimise or mitigate impacts, where a property is affected but there is no property acquisition required to construct the project. Measures such as innovative designs, noise treatments and landscaping will be considered to reduce the impact. The Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 does not provide for financial compensation unless the land is directly within the boundaries of the motorway. 18 M4 East Community Feedback Report

19 3.2 Traffic and transport Feedback was raised on the safety of residents during and after construction, traffic congestion, management of construction traffic impacts, and local access concerns. Requests for more information on traffic data were also received. Suggestions were made for alternative forms of transport to be considered, improvements to public transport along the Parramatta Road corridor and provision of pedestrian and cycle facilities along the corridor. Community feedback has been grouped under traffic safety, traffic volume, modelling and congestion, local road impacts, public transport services and accessibility, pedestrian and cyclist facilities, construction traffic and access Traffic safety Concern about the safety of residents living near construction sites. Suggest the horizontal alignment of the eastbound access ramp from Homebush Bay Drive be straighter to improve driver safety. Concern the length of carriageway for traffic merging onto the M4, from the access ramp at the intersection of the existing M4 and Parramatta Road/Concord Road, is too short. Comment the project will move the road closer to properties along the M4. Question what measures are proposed to prevent vehicles veering through the road barrier into these properties? Concern about traffic and pedestrian safety along Concord Road and connecting side streets as a result of increased traffic accessing the tunnel entry/exit points. Concern about the safety of the westbound exit ramp radius from the M4 East to Concord Road. Concern about the safety of merging vehicles exiting the tunnel westbound and vehicles exiting the M4 Eastbound onto Concord Road. Suggest a dedicated right turn bay be provided on Concord Road if access into Patterson Street is to be maintained. Concern the access from Rogers Avenue onto Parramatta Road is too close to the eastbound tunnel exit and poses a traffic safety issue. Suggest tunnel monitoring and a pre-warning system for oversized trucks be installed at tunnel entry points. Question whether breakdown bays and separate emergency lanes will be provided in the tunnels? Question what plans are in place for emergency service access and traffic management in the event of an accident? Traffic volume, modelling and congestion Question when traffic modelling data will be available? Concern that not enough vehicles will use the tunnel to warrant its construction. Concern trucks carrying dangerous or hazardous materials will continue to use Parramatta Road because Workcover Work Safe Practices do not permit these trucks from using tunnels. Concern the project will be inadequate in a few years by the Government s own predictions of population growth in Western Sydney. Comment that a project of this size and impact on the community cannot be justified until traffic studies / modelling has been undertaken. M4 East Community Feedback Report 19

20 Request traffic modelling data and assumptions be subject to a peer review process. Suggest traffic studies compare the number of vehicles using the tunnel to the number of vehicles continuing to use aboveground routes. Request for traffic studies to be carried out along residential streets to determine potential traffic impacts. Suggest traffic studies include projected data for additional vehicles resulting from urban revitalisation and the construction of new residential apartments along Parramatta Road. Concern about the reliability of traffic data and projections because of recent overestimates of traffic projections for the Sydney Cross City Tunnel and Brisbane s Clem 7 motorway. Clarify any proposed changes to existing traffic flows, in particular those changes which prioritise traffic using the tunnel. Concern that encouraging more cars onto toll roads does not address traffic congestion, instead it just moves the problem to another part of the road network. Homebush community information session Concern that building more roads just encourages more traffic onto the road network. Suggest the concept design avoid traffic light pinch points. Comment that removing the traffic lights and right turn on Homebush Bay Drive as a result of the new access ramp to the M4 westbound will help ease traffic congestion. Concern increased westbound traffic during events at Olympic Park may cause congestion in the tunnel from traffic trying to access Homebush Bay Drive. Concern between the completion of M4 Widening and M4 East there will be increased traffic volumes on the M4 but no additional road infrastructure east of Concord Road to cater for this additional traffic. Concern Concord Road will be transformed into a collector point for the tunnel, increasing traffic and congestion. Concern about increased traffic along Great North Road and Lyons Road from vehicles trying to avoid congestion on the City West Link and Parramatta Road. Comment that traffic exiting from the tunnel at Wattle Street, travelling along the City West Link, will need to pass through eight sets of traffic lights to reach Anzac Bridge. Suggest extending the tunnel to the disused rail yards at Catherine Street, Lilyfield to bypass four sets of traffic lights along the City West Link and avoid considerable traffic congestion. Concern about traffic congestion in the tunnel and along Wattle Street and Parramatta Road from traffic exiting the tunnel trying to join already congested roads. Question how traffic congestion will be managed between Stage 1 opening and Stage 3 completion along Parramatta Road near the tunnel exit heading east. 20 M4 East Community Feedback Report

21 3.2.3 Local road impacts Request for information on proposed temporary and permanent local road closures. Concern local roads will be used as rat runs to avoid congestion on Parramatta Road during construction and the period between Stage 1 opening and Stage 3 completion. Concern about increased traffic on local roads from vehicles trying to avoid toll charges. Concern the closure of some streets will increase traffic volumes and congestion on the streets which remain open. Concern about a reduction in the amount of on-street parking along Parramatta Road and residential streets to accommodate the project. Five Dock community information session Concern the project will increase traffic on Concord Road, Patterson Street and Gipps Street. Concern restricting traffic access to St. Mary s Catholic Primary School from Ada Street will have traffic safety and congestion implications. Concern there will be increased traffic on local roads from vehicles entering and exiting the tunnel at Wattle Street and Parramatta Road. Comment that the project will provide an alternative route for vehicles (particularly heavy vehicles) accessing the airport/port Botany making the local road network safer, more efficient and potentially less congested Public transport services and accessibility Suggest taxpayers dollars would be better spent upgrading Sydney s public transport system rather than increasing road capacity. Question whether a cost benefit analysis been done for committing similar expenditure on improving public transport rather than private roadways? Comment that removing traffic from Parramatta Road will increase its capacity to accommodate additional public transport services. Public transport WestConnex is one of more than 80 projects outlined in the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan to address the state s complex transport needs. It is part of a multimodal solution for Sydney which responds to the needs best catered for by road based travel. The NSW Government is also investing in public transport with projects across Sydney such as the North West Rail Link, the South West Rail Link, the CBD and South East Light Rail and the Inner West Light Rail extension. For more information visit transport.nsw.gov.au/projects Suggest the project include an integrated public transport strategy which addresses future transport needs. M4 East Community Feedback Report 21

22 Suggest that rather than building the project, the money be invested in improving public transport along Parramatta Road, including park and ride facilities, increasing the capacity and efficiency of the rail network, more bus lanes, 24 hour bus lanes, express bus services, extended bus routes to Strathfield and Homebush, light rail and cycle ways. Oppose additional bus lanes along Parramatta Road if this requires a reduction in existing general traffic lanes. Question whether there will be changes to public transport routes, such as changes to the current bus routes 438, 439 and Pedestrian and cyclist facilities Suggest a concept design which supports pedestrian and cycle access be considered. Suggest the project is an opportunity to improve cycle routes along the project corridor. Request that the existing pedestrian bridge across the M4 from Park Road to Wentworth Road South be maintained. Request dedicated pedestrian and cycle paths be provided around the Homebush connection into Sydney Olympic Park. Suggest a dedicated cycleway be constructed along Parramatta Road. Question how safe pedestrian and cycle access to schools, parks and public transport will be maintained during construction and operation in Concord and Haberfield / Ashfield? Request a study of pedestrian access to Strathfield Station from residential streets in Concord be undertaken. Suggest pedestrian access be provided across the access ramps at Wattle Street. Request the pedestrian bridge across Parramatta Road near Bland Street be maintained as it provides safe access to Haberfield Public School. Concern the cycleway connectivity between Ashfield Park and Dalhousie Street will be lost as a result of the project. Comment that Ashfield Park provides a pedestrian friendly link between Haberfield and Ashfield and request for it to be maintained. Concern about access to Ashfield Park from Haberfield across Parramatta Road. Suggest a pedestrian bridge be constructed across Dobroyd Road from Waratah Street to Reg Coady Reserve Construction traffic Question how local traffic, construction traffic and truck movements will be managed during construction? Clarify whether any temporary and/or permanent road closures will be required during construction. Clarify how construction vehicles will access the tunnel sites. Suggest construction traffic movements only operate during daylight hours on local roads and be further limited during peak traffic periods. Concern traffic delays will occur on local roads as a result of construction activities and construction vehicle movements. Question how emergency service access to residential streets will be maintained and managed during construction? 22 M4 East Community Feedback Report

23 Clarify how the disposal of spoil and waste from construction sites and spillages or leaks from construction vehicles will be managed. Concern that the existing traffic flow around the tunnel exit near Underwood Road (Pomeroy and Underwood Road intersection, DFO roundabout, Ismay Avenue roundabout) is already affected by traffic congestion. Suggest these traffic corridors be avoided for construction vehicles or traffic diversions during construction. Request that the M4, not local roads, be the dedicated route for the transport of spoil from the tunnel site Access Question whether the exit ramp from the M4 westbound onto Centenary Drive will be retained? Support for the new access ramp from Homebush Bay Drive to the M4 westbound to be constructed as part of the Stage 1 M4 Widening. Clarify where the new access ramp from Homebush Bay Drive to the M4 westbound merges onto the M4? Support for the improved accessibility to the M4 from Homebush Bay Drive. Request for the tunnel entry/exit point at Underwood Road be moved further west towards Homebush Bay Drive. Request for Underwood Road to become a cul de sac. Request for a u-turn facility to be constructed on Underwood Road. Request for clear signage to be provided along the M4, Parramatta Road, in the tunnel and at intersections and tunnel entry/exit points. Suggest the middle lane on Marlborough Road, Homebush West be permitted to turn left as well as right onto Parramatta Road. Request for the existing exit ramp from the M4 at Sydney Street/Concord Road be removed. Clarify how many lanes from Concord Road will be able to turn right to access the eastbound tunnel access ramp. Request for an additional dedicated left turn lane from Concord Road onto Parramatta Road and the M4 be provided. Access to residential properties Access to residential properties will be maintained during the construction period with some temporary realignment of local roads required. Some changes to local street access including installing cul de sacs may also be desirable. The details of these changes are yet to be confirmed and will be documented in the EIS. Request justification for an interchange connection at Concord Road when there is a major interchange at the tunnel start only three kilometres away at Homebush Bay Drive and when the majority of traffic will be travelling either to the airport or heading further west. Clarify why there is a tunnel entry at Concord Road located at Alexandra Street and the tunnel exit is at Coles Street? Suggest there only be one main entry and exit point. Request the tunnel entry/exit ramps at Concord Road be relocated to reduce the impact on the residential area and request the cut and cover be extended back to Concord Road. Concern the tunnel access ramps in Concord will block existing local road access for residents and emergency services during and after construction. M4 East Community Feedback Report 23

24 Suggest Burwood Road become the main traffic thoroughfare heading north off Parramatta Road, with Broughton Street either closed to traffic from Parramatta Road or turned into a local traffic zone with reduced speed limits. Request the tunnel entry/exit points at Ashfield be relocated to either the east or the west to avoid Ashfield Park. Request the tunnel entry/exit points at Ashfield be removed once Stage 3 is complete. Request for access to be maintained from Wattle Street to Ramsay Street. Request for the right hand turn from Wattle Street into Waratah Street be removed. Request for Chandos Street to become a cul de sac. Request for direct access to Parramatta Road from Chandos Street to be maintained. Request for Rogers Avenue to become a cul de sac. Request for direct access to Parramatta Road from Rogers Avenue to be maintained. Request for Ormond Street to be closed off from Parramatta Road so that traffic including buses are diverted to Parramatta Road via Liverpool Road. Request for further information on the concept design, lane usage and planned traffic diversions/calming to be adopted at Wattle Street and the surrounding local roads in Haberfield. Comment that WestConnex provides an opportunity to reduce surface traffic on Parramatta Road easing access to local roads and residential areas. 24 M4 East Community Feedback Report

25 3.3 Air quality, ventilation and health Some community members made comments about the potential benefits on air quality from smoother flowing traffic while other members of the community raised concerns about the potential impact on the current and future air quality; the location, number, design and visual impacts of the ventilation outlets and potential health impacts. Community feedback has been grouped under headings air quality and monitoring, tunnel ventilation and filtration systems and health impacts Air quality and monitoring Request for an air quality management plan to be prepared. Request for information on the current local and regional air quality and clarify how this will be affected by the project. Clarify what air quality studies/monitoring will be undertaken along the project corridor before, during and after construction. Clarify how emissions will be managed at tunnel entry/exit points and near ventilation outlets. Request for air quality monitoring to be undertaken by an independent regulator, with findings published on the project website. Request for the tunnels to be fitted with carbon monoxide monitors, air visibility monitors and air velocity monitors. Request for ambient (outdoor) air quality monitors to also be installed. Question how the air quality committee was appointed and how the community members were selected? Suggest dust abatement and screening be installed prior to construction Tunnel ventilation and filtration systems Request for detailed information on the location of ventilation outlets, height and visual impact, the type of filtration system to be used and potential health impacts. Request ventilation outlets be located away from residential areas, nursing homes, preschools and schools, be designed to have minimal impact on the local landscape and constructed using world best air filtration design and equipment. Request ventilation outlets be located away from tunnel entry/exit points. Concern residents near tunnel entry/exit points will also be faced with emissions from ventilation outlets. Clarify how emissions from ventilation outlets will be treated and request for ventilation outlets to be filtered. Question how the design will address tunnel portal emissions? Question if the tunnel ventilation system will be turned off during off-peak hours to save costs? Consider a ventilation outlet be located on vacant land on the eastern side of Centenary Drive between the M4 and Parramatta Road to reduce impact on local residential areas. Consider a ventilation outlet be located on the corner of Wentworth Road South and Pomeroy Street, close to Bill Boyce Reserve. Suggest a ventilation outlet be located either in a commercial area or mid-way between the Allen Street entrance and the M4 Motorway overpass, directly adjacent to the motorway if one is required near the tunnel entry/exit points at Underwood Road. M4 East Community Feedback Report 25

26 Suggest the commercial areas along Parramatta Road are more appropriate for the location of ventilation outlets, irrespective of any marginal decrease in efficiency. Request Ashfield Park and Yasmar are not considered as potential sites for a ventilation outlet. Concern similar problems experienced in relation to the M5 tunnel including in-tunnel ventilation, filtration systems and health issues will be experienced again. Suggest a smoky vehicle camera system be installed to detect, identify, record and fine owner /operators of heavy polluting vehicles Health impacts Request for a health impact assessment to be undertaken. Question how the project will ensure air quality will not deteriorate near tunnel entry / exit points, access ramps and ventilation outlets and question how health risks will be monitored and addressed? Concern impact on air quality from the project may result in health issues for residents located near to tunnel entry/exit points, access ramps and ventilation outlets. Concern residents located close to construction activities will suffer adverse health effects due to increased noise, vibration, dust and exposure to asbestos. Concern about impact on residents health and safety as a result of increased traffic and pollution on local roads. Comment that local air quality may improve with smoother flowing traffic along Parramatta Road. Concern congestion in the tunnel from traffic trying to access City West Link and Parramatta Road will increase levels of pollution in and around the tunnel entry/exit points. Concern about the impact on property owners health due to the uncertainty of the location of project infrastructure, property acquisition and the stress of having to relocate. Question whether counselling will be provided to affected property owners? Concern a reduction in public open space areas such as Ashfield Park will have negative impacts on community health, cohesion and wellbeing. Update on air quality assessment Flemington Paddy s Market community information session The NSW Government has appointed an expert Advisory Committee on Tunnel Air Quality to review current national and international best practice. Guidelines set by the Committee will be used by the project team to assist with the selection of ventilation outlet sites. The air quality monitoring program will be carried out during the current planning and assessment phase and when the motorway opens to traffic. Air quality specialists have recently been engaged to develop the monitoring program for the M4 East and have commenced discussions with property owners to identify suitable locations for the monitoring stations. It is expected that these will be established and will be monitoring existing conditions by the middle of M4 East Community Feedback Report

27 3.4 Concept design Issues were raised on whether the financial cost and the local community impacts of the project could be justified. Clarification was requested on the funding approach, location of toll collection points and tolling system. Suggestions were made on whether there were better alternative transport solutions and whether the concept design could be improved by considering alternative routes or designs. Feedback has been grouped under project justification, funding and tolling, concept design and alternatives Project justification Comment the project has no benefit for the local community. Comment the current plans mirror the old M4 East short tunnel which was rejected in Suggest the environmental impact statement be conducted as if the M4 East was a stand alone project rather than part of a larger proposal in terms of both the predicted benefits of the project as well as the likely impacts. Comment that Sydney needs an integrated transport plan, not just a staged solution to one part. Concern the project is justified on the basis of strategic needs and benefits for the city as a whole, without considering the impact and burden on the local community. Concern the business case executive summary and strategic environment review documents released do not substantiate the environmental, social or economic case for WestConnex. Suggest an appropriate value capture mechanism needs to be developed to ensure that the positive and negative impacts of WestConnex can be balanced between communities. Suggest freight priority measures be investigated to encourage freight movements on WestConnex as opposed to the arterial road network. Concern the project will not solve traffic issues and is nothing more than a pretext for construction companies, developers and toll operators to make profits. Comment the project is too expensive and Federal and State funding would be better invested in schools and hospitals. Just get it built expressions of support for the project. Clarify the impact on the project and on traffic volumes if a second airport is built in Western Sydney? Comment that unless all three stages are completed, the project will have done nothing more than shift the two current bottlenecks at the M4 and the M5 to new locations with no overall benefit. Request guarantees be made that all three stages will be completed. Concern the project does not address traffic issues on the north-south connections across Parramatta Road. Concern the project does not solve local road issues eg Frederick Street connection to Liverpool Road/Parramatta Road and Old Canterbury Road near Lewisham train station. Clarify what mode share assumptions have been made and what measures are proposed to achieve the proposed mode share. M4 East Community Feedback Report 27

28 3.4.2 Funding and tolling Clarify what guarantees can be given that Stages 2 and 3 will go ahead. Clarify if NSW taxpayers will be forced to assume the financial burden of the project if tolling does not generate sufficient income to finance the project. Question what financial modelling has been carried out in relation to the route and the proposed toll? Suggest different toll scenarios be tested to determine the impact on surface traffic volumes. Comment that infrastructure projects of this size and nature be publicly funded from a combination of state and federal money without the need for any contribution from the road user. Request for details on the level of use required to generate sufficient tolling income to ensure project viability. Concern toll prices will discourage motorists from using the tunnel. Request toll points be located at the tunnel entrances and exits only and not on the M4 Widening section as M4 users have already paid a toll. Suggest toll points be set up along the M4 now to help finance the project. Suggest toll charges be discounted for motorists who use the tunnel regularly or outside peak hours. Suggest toll charges vary depending on the type of vehicle eg motorbike toll charges be less than cars Concept design Clarify what the maximum grades for tunnel entry/exit points. Question how deep the tunnel will be? Question what the maximum posted speed will be in the tunnels? Comment the tunnel be built with a minimum of three lanes in each direction. Clarify where the tunnel maintenance buildings and infrastructure will be located. Homebush community information session Question how four additional lanes under Concord Road bridge will be constructed under traffic? Concern the ramps proposed at the interchange of the existing M4 and Concord Road do not appear to be an appropriate design and a more traditional interchange design to be considered. Request the number of traffic lanes on Parramatta Road remain as existing, as a minimum. Concern the eastbound tunnel exit near Rogers Avenue is located on high ground and will require traffic to travel along an upward incline to exit the tunnel which ignores lessons learnt from the M5 tunnel Alternatives Question what is the justification for selecting a tunnel option over other alternatives? Comment there has not been adequate discussion on alternatives. Suggest alternative routes, designs and construction techniques be explored which may reduce property acquisition and impact on the local community. 28 M4 East Community Feedback Report

29 Question whether alternative road or rail options have been considered which would provide greater connectivity across the Sydney network? Suggest a direct tunnel for commercial only vehicles from the eastern end of the present M4 at Concord to the airport be provided as this would remove the need for access points in Ashfield and the impact on properties and homes. Alternative designs were submitted for the Concord Road connections to be considered by the project team. Suggest the M4 exit onto Concord Road connect directly onto either Patterson Street or Gipps Street. Request alternative tunnel designs utilising the area of vacant land near Concord Oval or the derelict strip of commercial properties along Parramatta Road be considered for the tunnel entry/exit points at Concord. Request the tunnel surface on the western side of Concord Road in accordance with the original proposal. Suggest additional tunnel entry/exit points be constructed in the Burwood/Croydon area. Suggest the tunnel entry/exit points be moved from Concord Road closer to Burwood to enable easy access for residents of Cabarita, Concord, Canada Bay and Burwood. Suggest the tunnel entry/exit points at Wattle Street be moved to Reg Coady Reserve. Comment that only one tunnel entry/exit point connecting to both Parramatta Road and the City West Link would reduce the impact of the project on Haberfield. Consider alternative designs which avoid Haberfield s heritage areas. Suggest the money be invested in alternative local road projects rather than building the project. Comment that an elevated road would be cheaper to construct than a tunnel. Suggest the project follow the alignment of Iron Cove Creek. Suggest the tunnel be extended to the disused rail yards at Catherine Street, Lilyfield, with new surface roads connecting to Anzac Bridge and traffic control through a variable lane system. Suggest the City West Link be upgraded to accommodate more traffic and widened to include bus lanes. Suggest provision be made for two additional tunnels: the first branching off to the north to connect with Victoria Road and Gladesville Bridge at Drummoyne and the second heading south to connect with the Hume Highway. Suggest the tunnels be designed to accommodate a variety of public transport modes in the future. Suggest rail freight be considered as an alternative to road transportation. Question why building a second airport at Badgerys Creek is not built if the objective of the project is to move traffic from the west to Sydney Airport? Consideration of options and alternatives During the development of the M4 East concept design a number of options were considered in consultation with technical specialists (such as road designers, transport planners and traffic engineers) and industry partners. Alternative designs and options suggested by the community are being reviewed by the motorway design team. An evaluation of these suggestions will be assessed based on the project objectives and road design criteria. These alternatives will be addressed in the EIS. M4 East Community Feedback Report 29

30 3.5 Open space, recreational and community facilities Treatment of residual land following construction, loss of community space and impact on community facilities were concerns raised by members of the community. The following list summarises the questions, concerns and suggestions raised in relation to open space, recreational and community facilities. Question what will happen to the residual land that has been acquired for the construction of the project (but could be developed) once the project is completed? Concern residual land will not be adequately maintained and prone to vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Request any residual land following construction of the project be set aside for parkland and community use rather than sold for private development. Request for adjacent residents and community members to be included in the development of landscaping plans for residual land and open spaces. Concern about impact on child care facilities, pre-schools, schools, aged care facilities and community recreational facilities along the project corridor. Concern about impact on the Concord Baptist Church from the construction and operation of the Concord Road connections. Concern about impact on Concord Oval will make it unviable as a sporting venue for local rugby league, rugby union and soccer clubs and as a community recreational facility. Concern relocation would be difficult as there are no alternative sites in the area. Concern about impact on Cintra Park as a sporting venue for hockey. Opposed to the use of Concord Oval for any related WestConnex works as it s an important regional facility. Opposed to the use of Reg Coady Reserve for road construction. Concern about impact on St. Luke s Anglican Church if Concord Oval is used as a construction staging area. Comment Ashfield Park is a key community asset providing valuable outdoor space for a municipality which has less open public space per capita than most other councils. Request Ashfield Park is not impacted by the project for the construction of the westbound tunnel access. Concern about the impact on Ashfield Bowling Club if Ashfield Park is used as a construction staging area. Concern about the impacts on the Ashfield Presbyterian Aged Care facility including potential property acquisition and relocation. Concern about access, amenity and noise from the construction and operation of the tunnel exit and road widening along Parramatta Road if the facility is to remain. Consider options for replacing community open space for any open space lost as part of the WestConnex project including Yaralla Estate. 30 M4 East Community Feedback Report

31 Ashfield Park, Concord Oval and Reg Coady Reserve impacts Based on the concept design, a strip of up to 20 metres, or 4% of Ashfield Park bordering Parramatta Road will be required for: A two lane westbound entry ramp into the WestConnex tunnel from Parramatta Road. Improved public transport, by creating a new bus lane from Burwood along Parramatta Road. This new bus lane will almost halve travel times for public transport users between Burwood and the CBD. Improved cycling and walking options, with a new footpath for bikes and pedestrians. There are no plans to use Ashfield Park as a construction compound or to store construction materials. The WDA project team will carefully consider the community s concerns while refining its designs for the M4 East. WDA will ensure any potential impact on Ashfield Park is kept to a minimum and balances the impact on local residences. Moving the current concept design route from the Parramatta Road edge of Ashfield Park would require the acquisition of residential homes and businesses on the northern side of Parramatta Road. Some park will be required during construction only and may be returned to community use in future. Therefore, a minimum of 96% of Ashfield Park, and possibly more, will be completely retained for community use. During construction WDA would work closely with Ashfield Council to mitigate impacts for Ashfield Park and the community. After construction WDA would work with Ashfield Council to remediate any impact on the park by developing a design to rejuvenate the affected section. A number of potential locations are being considered for a mid tunnel access point however no decisions have been made so any potential impact on Concord Oval is not yet known. Details of construction compounds will be confirmed in the EIS. A strip of Reg Coady Reserve fronting Dobroyd Parade may be needed at this stage based on the concept design. More information on the potential impacts on Reg Coady Reserve will be made available during the display of the EIS. M4 East Community Feedback Report 31

32 3.6 Heritage and environmental impacts Feedback from members of the community included concerns about the impact of the project on heritage areas and sites of Concord and Haberfield/Ashfield, loss of trees and the impact on Powell s Creek during construction and operation of the project. Concerns, comments, questions and suggestions have been grouped under headings: non-aboriginal heritage, flora and fauna and drainage and flooding Non-Aboriginal heritage Support for a heritage impact assessment to be carried out. Concern about the impact on a heritage listed dwelling located on the corner of Concord Road and Patterson Street. Concern the project impacts on three major state significant garden heritage sites: Yasmar, the Bunyas and Ashfield Park. Concern about the impact on Yasmar one of the last remaining historical homes between Parramatta and Sydney. Comment that Yasmar is a State Heritage Register listed and State Government owned property. Concern about impact on Ashfield Park which is an item of environmental heritage, has been a public recreational facility since 1879 and is the most significant area of open space in the Ashfield LGA. Concern Ashfield Park is missing from the list of items of environmental heritage in Attachment B1 of the State Significant Infrastructure Application Report prepared by the WestConnex Delivery Authority. Request for the project to avoid all heritage items as listed in the Ashfield Local Environmental Plan. Request for Haberfield s heritage character and unique architectural history to be preserved. Comment that Haberfield has been a heritage conservation area under the Ashfield Local Environmental Plan since Concern the project will separate the Northcote and Wolseley Street area from the remainder of the Haberfield Conservation Area causing a lack of cohesion in the suburb. Concern about impact on individual heritage homes and conservation areas along the project corridor Flora and fauna Support for a detailed assessment to be carried out including potential impacts on flora and fauna, loss of tree canopy and impact on habitat for threatened species. Question how environmental impacts will be addressed and what remediation measures will be in place to address these issues? Concern about the impact on trees and gardens at the Yasmar site. Concern about the impact on the trees at Ashfield Park, including palm trees from the federation period. Concern about the impact on the trees at Reg Coady Reserve. 32 M4 East Community Feedback Report

33 3.6.3 Drainage and flooding Support for a detailed hydrology and flood impact assessment to be undertaken. Concern raised about the potential disruption to local flood flows along the project corridor from the construction of tunnel entry/exit points and other infrastructure including ramps, culverts and bridges. Concern about the impact on the quality of water in rainwater collection systems due to increased air pollution. Concern construction activities may impact on the Powell s Creek catchment including impacts on flood flow distribution, stormwater flows, flood levels and potential impact on adjacent residential properties. Comment that the eastern tunnel portal adjacent to Dobroyd Canal in Haberfield is in a low-lying area and could be subject to flooding. M4 East Community Feedback Report 33

34 3.7 Noise and vibration Questions were raised about the noise modelling to be undertaken, concerns about an increase in noise due to construction activities including night works, increase in noise due to traffic accessing the tunnel and potential property damage as a result of vibration from construction activities. Feedback has been summarised below under headings: noise modelling and mitigation, construction noise and vibration, operational noise and vibration and property condition surveys Noise modelling and mitigation Support for a noise assessment to be undertaken which details noise mitigation measures and considers the effectiveness of these treatments. Support for noise and vibration monitoring along the project corridor before, during and after construction. Support for a noise management plan during construction. Request for noise modelling to be undertaken for all local residential streets in the vicinity of tunnel entry/exit points and access ramps. Question what standards/guidelines will be applied to determine noise attenuation? Request for details of properties requiring noise attenuation and proposed architectural treatments. Suggest noise abatement and screening be installed prior to construction using world best practice measures. Request for noise abatement to be addressed at the source rather than relying on architectural treatments to adjacent properties. Request for noise abatement solutions to consist primarily of landscaped mounds, shrubs and trees rather than visible solid walls. Concern about increased noise impacts on residents following the potential acquisition and removal of commercial properties on Parramatta Road that currently act as a noise barrier and requests for noise abatement treatments to be installed. Noise monitoring Noise monitoring has been carried out at locations along the length of the M4 East project corridor during late March and early April This monitoring will provide existing noise levels and will be used as an input to the noise assessment for the EIS. The EIS will also identify strategies to mitigate and manage any potential noise impacts of the project. The project team has been liaising directly with property owners to confirm access for the noise monitoring equipment. 34 M4 East Community Feedback Report

35 3.7.2 Construction noise and vibration Concern about noise and vibration impacts on residents along the M4 East corridor particularly around the tunnel entry/exit points, the widening of the M4, Wattle Street and Parramatta Road and near construction compounds. Question whether night work is proposed and how it will be managed to prevent interrupting residents sleep patterns. Concern the option of offering hotel accommodation for residents during night work is not an appropriate solution for families with young children. Request 24 hour construction works not be considered Operational noise and vibration Consider noise impacts on residents during the design and final determination of the location of the tunnel entry/exit ramps. Concern about increased noise for residents located near to tunnel entry/exit points and access ramps. Concern about increased noise and vibration for residents along the M4 from Homebush Bay Drive to Underwood Road as a result of the road corridor moving closer to properties. Request for noise barriers to be installed along the M4 from Homebush Bay Drive to Underwood Road. Question what will be the impact on noise levels in Concord as a result of the project? Concern the removal of commercial buildings along Parramatta Road to accommodate the eastbound tunnel exit will expose the residential properties behind to increased traffic noise. Clarify whether residents will be given acquisition rights if actual noise impacts exceed residential amenity criteria, including during construction Property condition surveys Request for property condition surveys to be undertaken prior to the start of any construction/tunnelling works with guarantees from WestConnex Delivery Authority that any damage will be repaired or compensation paid. M4 East Community Feedback Report 35

36 3.8 Amenity Feedback was received in relation to potential visual impacts from aboveground infrastructure, loss of amenity on residential streets, the urban revitalisation process and maintaining the existing character of the local area. The feedback has been grouped under headings: visual amenity, operational amenity and urban revitalisation Visual amenity Concern about the visual impact on residents located near to aboveground infrastructure including the tunnel entry/exit points, tunnel access ramps (including noise mitigation structures) and ventilation outlets. Request for landscaping and vegetation to be used to minimise the impacts of the project. Concern about the visual impact on residents along the M4 from the additional lanes and access ramps. Concern about the removal of trees along the M4 which currently act as a screen for residents. Concern about light spill from traffic and elevated access ramps. Concern about the removal of trees from the Yasmar site which currently act as a screen between residential homes and Parramatta Road. Request for high quality design of ventilation outlets Operational amenity Support for a socio-economic assessment on the impact of affected residents near to the proposed route be undertaken. Concern about the amenity impacts on residents who were once living in quiet back streets now living close to road infrastructure including access ramps, ventilation outlets and/or tunnel entry/exits of a major arterial road. Request for the existing level of amenity in the Homebush area to be maintained or enhanced following completion of the project, including the amount of green space, level of pollution, density of housing and traffic access. Question will residents be compensated for a loss of amenity? Comment that the project has the potential to make positive changes including decreased traffic noise, a better living space and improved public transport. Comment that the project is likely to change the character of the area particularly those areas near the tunnel entry/exit points. Alternative design submitted for Sydney Street including landscaping and noise and visual treatments. Alternative design submitted for noise mitigation, landscaping and visual treatment along Parramatta Road near the eastbound tunnel exit point. Concern the widening of Wattle Street to accommodate the tunnel entry/exit points will move the road corridor closer to residential properties. Concern the eastbound tunnel exit and access ramp on Parramatta Road will move the road corridor closer to residential properties. 36 M4 East Community Feedback Report

37 3.8.3 Urban revitalisation Support for urban revitalisation to commence as soon as possible. Question what the timetable is for the implementation of urban revitalisation along the Parramatta Road corridor? Comment that urban revitalisation is dependent upon traffic network changes that result from the construction of WestConnex. Concern that there appears to be little coordination between the construction timeline for WestConnex and the timeline for urban revitalisation. Comment that urban revitalisation will not be achieved without significant removal of surface traffic from arterial roads and commitment to an appropriate budget to cover the necessary improvements. Request for the urban revitalisation strategy and process to be prepared in collaboration with local councils. Request for the urban revitalisation process to mirror the environmental impact statement process with detailed displays of the concept and opportunities for community comment through a formal submissions process. Concern there has been a lack of public consultation on the concept plans for the urban revitalisation. Request for a value capture mechanism, with input from all affected local councils, be developed to capture a portion of value uplift to fund infrastructure and offset downstream traffic impacts. Suggest this mechanism be used to fund the provision of open space, public domain improvements, sufficient social infrastructure to accommodate higher working and living populations, and affordable housing for dedication to community housing providers. Request for the existing low density zoning in the Homebush area be maintained. Request for properties near to the construction footprint but not eligible for property acquisition be acquired and rezoned as high density residential, making the buy-up of affected properties financially viable for government. Question what scenarios are being tested in relation to residential densities, land use mix and population in the proposed structure plan? Doubts raised about future traffic volumes on Parramatta Road and traffic reductions not being sufficient enough to allow for urban revitalisation streetscape and public transport improvements. Comment that WestConnex provides an opportunity to reduce surface traffic on Parramatta Road allowing space for public transport and urban design improvements. Question what locations and population growth is being considered as Urban Activation Precincts along the Parramatta Road corridor? Suggest the urban revitalisation of Parramatta Road target the areas that will be the most affected by the project. Support for the urban revitalisation of Parramatta Road to be carried out irrespective of plans for WestConnex construction. Concern the urban revitalisation planned for Parramatta Road will benefit developers at the expense of families living in the area. Comment that there is potential for community initiatives and small businesses to work in partnership with larger organisations to contribute to the revitalisation of Parramatta Road. Comment that the area along Parramatta Road near Great North Road is a sterile location and would benefit from urban revitalisation including the introduction of more family and residential friendly business and public spaces. M4 East Community Feedback Report 37

38 Suggest the urban revitalisation of Parramatta Road comprise of commercial premises eg cafes and open space for children to play with residential apartments above. Comment the images showing tree lined boulevards, coffee shops and cycle lanes along Parramatta Road are out of touch with reality. Concern about the architectural quality of future residential development. Suggest the property frontages along Parramatta Road be pushed back three metres to make room for dedicated bus lanes or light rail. Concern the urban revitalisation does not demonstrate provision for pedestrian and cycle use. Request for land use development to be integrated with active transport use. Concern constructing WestConnex alongside urban activation will open up the Inner West to new threats of overdevelopment, with the precincts around major arterials such as Parramatta Road particularly affected. Question how WestConnex Delivery Authority proposes to relieve traffic congestion while planning to build high rise residential and commercial buildings along Parramatta Road? Question what assurances will be given that the current low density housing and local street character on the northern side of Parramatta Road up to Gipps Street and Patterson Street in Concord will be maintained? Concern that high rise construction is not in keeping with the historical architecture and heritage suburbs of the Inner West. Comment that the Yasmar site and the site of the Brescia building opposite offer a key urban revitalisation opportunity. The two sites could be linked to create a commercial and community precinct. Question does the $200 million set aside for urban revitalisation include the acquisition of properties along Parramatta Road? Request for all scenarios and supporting information prepared as part of the Integrated Land Use and Transport Structure Plan process be placed on public exhibition prior to finalisation of the plan. 38 M4 East Community Feedback Report

39 Urban revitalisation along the Parramatta corridor The Parramatta Road Urban Renewal Program project team is led by UrbanGrowth NSW and includes representatives from Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Transport for NSW, Roads and Maritime Services and the WestConnex Delivery Authority. Since the announcement of the WestConnex motorway and revitalisation projects in September 2013, the project team has been working with Parramatta Road corridor stakeholders including: The ten local governments along the corridor Holroyd, Parramatta, Auburn, Burwood, Strathfield, Canada Bay, Ashfield, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Sydney State agencies Industry and business groups and Community members. The team is currently preparing the Draft Concept Plan for the renewal of the corridor. This will be presented to Cabinet. The Plan proposes: Future land use mixes and intensities of development at identified locations along the 20 kilometre corridor between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD Transport and infrastructure requirements for sustainable growth and Principles for public domain improvement. The draft plan is anticipated to be displayed for public comment in mid This display will include opportunities for community members to review the renewal program and to speak with team members. Engagement events will be held along the corridor and will be accompanied by online consultation. The current high-level concept planning will be followed by more detailed and staged precinct planning from It is anticipated that there will be consultation with the community as part of this planning process. M4 East Community Feedback Report 39

40 3.9 Construction Questions and concerns raised by the community included the proposed construction staging of all three phases of the WestConnex project, the length of construction, the procedures and regulations to be adopted during construction and the location of construction compounds. Feedback has been summarised under headings: staging and duration and construction compounds Staging and duration Request for all three stages of the project to be built simultaneously. Request for Stage 3 to be constructed sooner to deal with potential traffic impacts in Haberfield / Ashfield. Question what is the planned duration of construction activities and how many hours/days per week will work be carried out? Question what procedures and regulations will be in place to manage construction activities? Construction fatigue is a concern raised particularly in relation to the scale and timeframes suggested for the project. Question what support systems will be available to residents during construction? Request for the tunnel at Underwood Road to be completed first allowing use of the tunnel to remove excess spoil directly onto the M4, minimising impacts on residents. Request for the construction of the M4 Widening and M4 East in the Homebush area to be aligned to minimise construction impacts on residents Construction compounds Question where will the construction compounds/batching plants be located and how will construction vehicles access the construction sites from these facilities? Clarify how parking for construction workers will be managed. Concern that if Concord Oval is to be used as a construction staging area this will result in a loss of public amenity, introduce construction traffic to local residential streets and will increase dust and noise. Request for Concord Oval to not be used as a construction compound. Request for Ashfield Park, Hammond Park and/or Reg Coady Reserve to not be used as construction staging areas and alternative locations be considered. Concern that if Ashfield Park is to be used as a construction staging area this will result in a loss of public amenity, introduce construction traffic to local residential streets and will increase dust and noise. Request for parking in residential streets around construction sites to be limited to two hours except for residents. 40 M4 East Community Feedback Report

41 3.10 Community consultation process Issues were raised on the approach to community consultation and the limited information available. Requests were made for more information and suggestions were made about future consultation opportunities. Concern that it is difficult for the community to provide feedback on the concept design due to the lack of detailed drawings, plans and an accurate 3D model. Comment that there has been inadequate community consultation, including community events and distribution of project information. Comment that the community information sessions were more about presenting a fixed design rather than receiving community feedback. Concern that the community consultation period included the Christmas holidays and suggest it should have been extended. Concern the venues and format of the community information sessions were inappropriate. Suggest an open public meeting with a presentation and Q&A format should have been held. Request for further community information sessions be provided with more detailed information. Concern there is no formal process for the community to make written or verbal submissions. Concern there has been no follow-up to questions raised during the consultation period. Concern that Stage 1 relies on the completion of Stages 2 and 3 however details on these additional stages were not provided at the community information sessions. Concern the preliminary concept design plans lack detail and clarity on properties affected by the project, location and footprint of tunnel entry/exit points, location and footprint of ventilation outlets, surface road re-alignments and new road construction, and the location of construction compounds and batching plants. Request for more information on alternative options considered. Concern that community consultation was inadequate during the development of the business case. Request for the business case supporting the project be released to the community. Request for a detailed, clear and transparent community engagement strategy be developed. Request for a cost benefit analysis to be carried out of the long term operation of the original planned route (the long tunnel) to Anzac Bridge versus the shortened M4 East project. Request for a copy of the relevant sections of the report to government which recommends the M4 East tunnel option. Request for the 3D model and animation videos be updated to cover the full length of the project, show all above ground infrastructure and how this will integrate with the local road network. Request for detailed information on the location of properties to be acquired. Request for detailed plans, costs and project impacts be published in advance of the environmental impact statement for community comment. Request for detailed drawings showing the project infrastructure near Ismay Avenue and Underwood Road. Request for an artist s impression of what Ada Street will look like on completion of the project. Concern Daly Avenue and other residential streets around Concord Road were omitted from the concept design drawings. M4 East Community Feedback Report 41

42 Concern relating to the inconsistency in information on the concept design provided to the community for the access ramps, tunnel entry/exit points and the tunnel route. Concern that if detailed information is not available until the display of the environmental impact statement in late 2014, with construction planned for mid-2016, this will leave community members only a small window of opportunity to provide feedback. Suggest the project information line be a free call 1800 number. Request for the distribution footprint for mail outs be extended. Suggest community information sessions be more widely advertised, not just in local media. Early engagement The M4 East preliminary concept design was released in November last year for more than 11 weeks of community consultation. WDA consulted early with community members and stakeholders to ensure their ideas and opinions can be considered during the refinement of the motorway design and so local issues can be addressed during the environmental assessment. Large sections of WestConnex including the M4 East will be built underground, limiting the impact of properties affected on the surface. This means that WestConnex is being built under suburbs, not through them. However, some properties will need to be acquired as the tunnel comes to the surface for entry and exit points. Naturally, some people have raised questions and concerns and WDA is working to address these. Owners of properties which need to be acquired or may need to be acquired have been contacted. Consulting early means we do not have all the answers or detailed plans available just yet, but the Environmental Impact Statement which will go on display later this year will contain a greater level of detail on the concept design, potential impacts and mitigation measures. During this formal exhibition period, local residents and business owners will have the opportunity to comment. WDA thanks all who contributed their ideas and opinions outlined in this report. 42 M4 East Community Feedback Report

43 3.11 Other issues Issues were raised on how the tender process would encourage a socially responsible approach to construction, business impacts, future energy impacts and comments on other WestConnex project stages. A summary of other issues raised by the community have been listed below. Request for the competitive tender process to consider tenderers policies on social responsibility and community contribution programs as well as plans for apprenticeships and employment. Request for urban design/built form analysis and urban economic modelling covering matters such as floor space ratio and value capture to be undertaken in relation to the route. Concern the acquisition of commercial businesses along the project corridor will result in a loss of local services. Concern some businesses will be impacted along Parramatta Road particularly those that rely on drop-in trade from motorists who will use the tunnel in future. Five Dock community information session Concern WestConnex will entrench Australia s dependence on foreign oil. Concern Sydney s transport system is reliant on cheap oil prices and is ill prepared for future fuel shortages. Comment that the strategic environmental review estimates that running the WestConnex tunnels will use the equivalent electricity of 45,000 homes. Concern that this is a wasteful use of energy which will contribute to global warming and reduce air quality through related carbon pollution. Request a truck tunnel or widening of the entire length of Centenary Drive to the west be considered as an alternative to the project. Request for Kings Georges Road to be considered as an alternative route for connection to the M5 East. Concern raised about the impact on heritage bushland at Wolli Creek (Stage 2 of WestConnex). Suggest the government buy back ownership of the Airport Link train line. The cost of tickets means there is no incentive for families in the Inner West to use the Airport Link train service. M4 East Community Feedback Report 43

44 4. Local feedback maps The majority of feedback received related to locations around tunnel entry and exit points, ramps and proposed road surface changes. The following three maps have been prepared summarising suggestions and concerns raised around these locations and include Homebush, Concord, Haberfield and Ashfield. The feedback raised relates to the WestConnex M4 East November 2013 preliminary concept design. The motorway design team is considering this feedback to refine the design and to mitigate impacts where possible. More detailed information on the design will be available when the Environmental Impact Statement is displayed in late M4 East Community Feedback Report

45 M4 East preliminary concept design Homebush feedback These comments are a summary of feedback received from members of the community on the November 2013 preliminary concept design. This feedback is currently being considered. More detailed information will be exhibited in the Environmental Impact Statement in late 2014 when further feedback will be sought. Property Consider different construction methods to reduce impacts on properties Consider alternative designs to reduce impacts on properties Concern about property value impacts Request for low density zoning of the Homebush area to be maintained Traffic and transport Concern about increased truck movements on local roads including removal of spoil Concern about tunnel congestion during events at Olympic Park Request for clear signage at intersections and tunnel entry/exit points Comment there will be improved accessibility to the M4 from Homebush Bay Drive Request for toll points at tunnel only not along M4 Request for improved pedestrian and cycle connectivity Request for a dedicated cycleway connecting Parramatta Road to Sydney Olympic Park Air quality, ventilation and health Request for details on the location of ventilation outlets Air quality impact concern and request for monitoring at ventilation outlets Request for tunnel ventilation design to utilise the latest technologies to minimise pollution Concern about health impact for residents near ventilation outlets and tunnel entry/exit points Request for tunnel emissions to be managed including use of cameras and fines for smoky vehicles Concept design Request for more detailed plans and for the 3D model to show project infrastructure Request to cul de sac Underwood Road Request for access along Underwood Road to be maintained Noise and vibration Request for noise modelling, monitoring and mitigation Concern about noise increase Concern about construction noise including night works Concern about impact on properties from construction activities including tunnelling Request for property condition surveys before construction starts and guarantee compensation or damage repair Amenity Request for construction of M4 Widening and M4 East in Homebush to be coordinated to minimise construction impacts Request existing level of amenity is maintained or enhanced following completion of the project Concern about visual impact of ramps Concern about removal of trees screening residents from M4 Concern about light spill from elevated ramps Concern about height and design of ventilation outlets PARRAMATTA ROAD PARRAMATTA ROAD MARLBOROUGH ROAD MARLBOROUGH ROAD CENTENARY DRIVE PARK ROAD M4 SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK Request for clarity on where the new westbound access ramp merges with the M4 Request for clear signage and easy access to the M4 and Parramatta Road FLEMINGTON RD SOUTH ROAD WELFARE ST HOMEBUSH BAY DRIVE FLEMINGTON RD FLEMINGTON MARKETS FLEMINGTON Concern about removal of trees which currently act as a screen to the M4 PADDY S MARKETS FLEMINGTON Concern about noise increase near tunnel entry/exit points during and after construction UNDERW OD ROAD SHORT STREET EAST Request for construction vehicles to use M4 to remove spoil rather than local roads Suggest straightening eastbound ramp PARK ROAD EAST ROAD BEDFORD RD POTTS STREET DFO Request for westbound exit ramp to be retained POWELL STREET Concern about traffic congestion on roundabout at DFO DALTON AVENUE Concern about health impact for residents at tunnel entry/exit points HUDSON ST M4 MOTORWAY BELLONA AVENUE PARK ROAD Request for the pedestrian footbridge to be maintained KANOONA AVE Request for streets around construction sites to be limited to two hour parking except for residents ISMAY AVENUE SMALLWOOD AVENUE Request to move tunnel entry/exit point further west BRIDGE ROAD Concern about noise increase for residents along the M4 COLEMAN AVENUE WENTWORTH ROAD SOUTH DEROWIE AVE Concern about air quality impacts and request for monitoring around the tunnel entry/exit points Clarification on the extent of cut and cover Request for more information on construction vehicle access at Underwood Road CARTWRIGHT AVE HILLCREST ST CRANE STREET MASON PARK UNDERWOOD ROAD BILL BOYCE RESERVE PARK ROAD LOFTUS LANE POWELL S CREEK HOMEBUSH SUBSTATION Safety concern traffic may veer through barriers into properties SEE INSET MAP LOFTUS CRESCENT Concern about visual impact from the additional lanes and access ramps POMEROY STREET ISMAY AVENUE PARRAMATTA ROAD Request existing congested traffic routes are not used for construction vehicles or to divert traffic during construction Concern about construction activities changing the flood levels and flow distribution of Powell s Creek MALTA STREET POWELL STREET Consider ventilation outlet be located in either a commercial area or the informal recreation area mid-way between Allen Street and the M4 overpass KNIGHT ST KEY HAMILTON STREET ALLEN STREET RESERVE New/upgraded surface road M4 Widening New tunnel Tunnel entry/exit Traffic flow Road Rail line GEORGE STREET LEMNOS STREET ALLEN STREET GEORGE STREET M4 MOTORWAY HOMEBUSH NORTH STRATHFIELD QUEEN STREET Map and concept design are not to scale April 2014

46 M4 East preliminary concept design Concord feedback QUEEN STREET QUEEN LANE M4 MOTORWAY PRINCESS AVENUE PRINCESS LANE CARRINGTON STREET CARRINGTON LANE COOPER STREET CONCORD ROAD CONCORD ROAD These comments are a summary of feedback received from members of the community on the November 2013 preliminary concept design. This feedback is currently being considered. More detailed information will be exhibited in the Environmental Impact Statement in late 2014 when further feedback will be sought. Property Consider alternative designs to reduce property impacts Consider different construction methods to reduce property impacts Concern about property value impacts Concern about difficulty in relocating in Concord after acquisition Traffic and transport Request for traffic modelling data Concern about traffic management during and after construction Concern about increased truck movements locally Request to minimise traffic impacts and maintain local road safety Concern about access for emergency services Request to maintain pedestrian and vehicle connections Request to address construction worker parking Air quality, ventilation and health Request for more information on the management of tunnel emissions Request for the locations of ventilation outlets Uncertainty of project impacts causing stress Concept design Request for Concord Road interchange justification Request to consider alternative designs to reduce impacts on homes and utilise existing vacant land Request for more detailed plans and Concord 3D model Request for tunnel entry/exit points to be closer to Burwood Omission of streets in concept design (eg. Daly Avenue) Noise and vibration Concern about noise increase from new road Concern about construction noise including night works and vibration impacts Request for noise modelling and monitoring Request for property condition surveys before construction and guarantee compensation or damage repair Amenity Concern about local amenity impacts Concern about visual impacts from ramps and above ground infrastructure Concern about loss of local street character from motorway and urban renewal Concern about residual land development in local low density neighbourhoods after construction PRINCESS AVENUE PRINCESS LANE CONCORD BAPTIST CHURCH CONCORD BAPTIST CHURCH HILTS RD CARRINGTON STREET Request for landscaping and other treatments to minimise impacts of new access ramps on Sydney Street residents CONCORD LANE SYDNEY STREET PARRAMA TA ROAD CONCORD LANE CARRINGTON LANE SEE INSET MAP Concern about noise, dust, parking and access impacts during construction and operation LEICESTER AVENUE MANSON ROAD SYDNEY STREET SWAN AVENUE THORNLEIGH AVE KEPPEL AVENUE PATTERSON STREET STRATHFIELD SYDNEY STREET EDWARD STREET MOSELY STREET FRANKLYN ST PATTERSON STREET CONCORD ROAD Suggest the tunnel exit/entry ramps should surface on the western side of Concord Road SEE INSET MAP COOPER STREET DALY AVE ROBERTS STREET COWDERY LANE BELL STREET INVERARY ST EVERTON ROAD ALEXANDRA STREET LLOYD GEORGE AVE PHILIP STREET PATTERSON STREET Request for air quality monitoring and concern about health impacts around the tunnel entry/exit points COLES STREET ADA STREET ADA STREET Concern about increased traffic on Concord Road, Patterson Street and Gipps Street Concern about impact on heritage property THORNLEIGH AVENUE Concern about increased congestion caused by right hand turn EDWARD STREET GIPPS STREET LEIGH AVE WENTWORTH ROAD Concept design incorrectly labelled ramps over Concord Road Request to maintain pedestrian access to Concord Road including bus stops Request for entry/exit ramps to be shortened to minimise impacts on residents K M4 MOTORWAY MELBOURNE STREET JOHN STREET GRANTHAM STREET Concern about visual and noise impacts from new road infrastructure Request to maintain safe and efficient pedestrian access to Strathfield Station for residents living north of Parramatta Road Concern about traffic congestion increase between M4 Widening completion and M4 East completion GODDARD PARK PARK AVENUE PARRAMATTA ROAD PARK ROAD ST MARY S CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL FRANKLYN ST QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK PARRAMATTA ROAD BRITANNIA AVENUE BURWOOD PARK BROUGHTON STREET NEICH PARADE Clarification on the extent of cut and cover of ramps BROUGHTON STREET Maintain safe pedestrian and vehicle access to St Mary s Catholic Primary School LANSDOWNE STREET DALY AVE BURTON STREET BURTON STREET BURWOOD ROAD AL Concern about construction impacts on residents including noise, dust, vibration and traffic Concern about safety of residents during construction BURWOOD ROAD GIPPS STREET ST LUKE S ANGLICAN CHURCH LLOYD GEORGE AVE Concern over noise and access impacts on St Luke s during construction Consider construction worker parking at back of Concord Oval LOFTUS STREET CONCORD OVAL PARRAMATTA ROAD SHAFTESBURY ROAD COLES STREET ADA STREET ADA STREET Concern about residents security in remaining properties Concern ramps will sever residents from local neighbourhood and community Health concerns for residents living near to construction site and tunnel entry/exit points Request for more information on length of access ramps and the depths of tunnels Concern about loss of on-street parking in local areas Request to maintain local vehicle access during and after construction Request for clarification on design of the tunnel exit KEY Opposed to the use of Concord Oval as a construction compound If used as a construction area: impact from traffic noise and dust loss of recreational facility air quality concerns for residents New/upgraded surface road New tunnel Tunnel entry/exit Traffic flow Road Rail line TAYLOR S M4 WESTERN MOTORWAY MOTORWAY Map and concept design are not to scale April 2014

47 M4 East preliminary concept design Ashfield & Haberfield feedback These comments are a summary of feedback received from members of the community on the November 2013 preliminary concept design. This feedback is currently being considered. More detailed information will be exhibited in the Environmental Impact Statement in late 2014 when further feedback will be sought. Property Concern about property value impacts Concern about property acquisition impacts Request for maps and information on property acquisition Traffic and transport Concern traffic congestion will be moved from M4 to Haberfield/Ashfield, particularly between Stage 1 and Stage 3 being completed Manage traffic and ensure road safety on local roads during and after construction Request to minimise traffic impacts on local roads Consider improving public transport along Parramatta Road Request number of traffic lanes on Parramatta Road are not reduced Manage trucks removing spoil during construction Address parking needs for construction workers Consider pedestrian and cycle connectivity across Parramatta Road Air quality, ventilation and health Concern about the location of ventilation outlets near schools, parks, residential areas and community facilities Concern about air quality monitoring and impacts at ventilation outlets and tunnel entry/exit points Health concern for residents near ventilation outlets and at tunnel entry/exit points Consider commercial areas along Parramatta Road for location of ventilation outlets Concept design Request for more detailed plans Request for the tunnel entry/exit points to be moved either east or west away from Ashfield Park Noise and vibration Construction noise and vibration concern including night works Concern removal of commercial properties along Parramatta Road will increase noise levels Concern about impact on properties as tunnel shallows Concern about operational noise increase Heritage Concern about impact on Ashfield Park Concern about impact on Haberfield s heritage homes Concern about impact on Yasmar Amenity Concern about the height and design of ventilation outlets Concern about potential high rise construction along Parramatta Road Concern about local amenity impacts Comment Parramatta Road would benefit from urban revitalisation and removal of surface traffic GREAT NORTH ROAD CROYDON ROAD COVE STREET PARRAMATTA ROAD PAGE AVENUE WOLSELEY STREET HENRY STREET ASH LANE EARLE AVENUE IRON COVE CREEK Concern about vibration impacts on properties as the tunnel surfaces Concern about loss of access to Parramatta Road due to local road closures Concern about impact on Presbyterian Aged Care Request to cul de sac Chandos Street LOFTUS STREET PRESBYTERIAN AGED CARE Concern about noise increase, vibration and amenity once tunnel ramp is completed Request to cul de sac Rogers Avenue NORTHCOTE STREET HENRY STREET ALLUM STREET WALKER STREET WALKER STREET ILFORD AVE WARATAH STREET ALT STREET ALT STREET MILLER STREET MARTIN STREET RAMSAY STREET RAMSAY STREET BUNYAS ORPINGTON STREET Request to move tunnel entry either further east or west to avoid impact on Ashfield Park FREDERICK STREET Concern about congestion from traffic exiting the tunnel onto an already congested Parramatta Road Request that Ashfield Park should not be considered as a location for a construction staging area or a ventilation outlet Clarification on the extent of cut and cover REG COADY RESERVE BUNNINGS ASHFIELD BOWLING CLUB SEE INSET MAP PEMBROKE STREET WATTLE STREET Concern about impact on Bunyas PARRAMATTA ROAD ASHFIELD PARK Concern about concept design impacts on Walker Street properties ALT STREET ALT STREET Request more detail on extent of Stage 3 connections to be built during Stage 1 PARRAMATTA ROAD Concern about a loss of pedestrian and cycle connectivity to Ashfield Park Concern about impact on Ashfield Park, including removal of trees Concern about impact on Ashfield Bowling Club Request closure of Ormond Street to traffic and buses Request to maintain pedestrian access across Parramatta Road from Haberfield to Ashfield Park ORMOND STREET BLAND STREET BLAND STREET JULIA STREET DOBROYD POINT PUBLIC SCHOOL Request to maintain safe pedestrian and vehicle access to Dobroyd Point Public School BLAND STREET BRESCIA EMPIRE STREET HABERFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL DENMAN AVENUE CURT STREET YASMAR AVENUE Concern about potential impact on Haberfield Public School from ventilation outlet emissions Concern about impact on Yasmar YASMAR Request to move tunnel exit east to avoid uphill exit CHANDOS STREET RAWSON STREET Request to retain pedestrian foot bridge over Parramatta Road CHANDOS STREET TINANA STREET LOFTUS STREET CECIL STREET Suggestion exit/entry ramps should be moved to Reg Coady Reserve Concern about traffic congestion in the tunnel and along Wattle Street from traffic trying to access the City West Link Request that Reg Coady Reserve should not be considered as a location for a construction staging area or a ventilation outlet DALHOUSIE STREET DALHOUSIE STREET Concern about the impact on Reg Coady Reserve, including removal of trees PERRI LANE PRESBYTERIAN AGED CARE Clarification on the extent of cut and cover REG COADY RESERVE Concern about access to Martin Street Request for safe pedestrian access across the ramps including a pedestrian bridge from Reg Coady Reserve to Waratah Street Request for a right turn bay from Wattle Street into Ramsay Street eastbound SEE INSET MAP ROGERS AVENUE ORPINGTON STREET BUNYAS WATTLE STREET DALHOUSIE STREET ST DAVIDS ROAD ASHFIELD PARK PEMBROKE STREET Question the width and number of lanes on Dobroyd Parade Request to remove right hand turn into Waratah Street or have a dedicated lane O CONNOR STREET WARATAH STREET Request for detailed plans around Wattle Street Inconsistency of information on concept design for access ramps at Wattle Street Concern that access ramps will divide communities Clarification of ramp and tunnel alignment REET ORMOND STREET STANTON ROAD NICHOLLS AVENUE PARRAMATTA ROAD KEY MARTIN STREET GOWER ST HUME HIGHWAY ALT STREET Concern about impacts on properties on Wattle Street and Ramsay Street Request for access to be maintained from Wattle Street to Ramsay Street including right hand turn westbound LIVERPOOL ROAD New/upgraded surface road New tunnel Tunnel entry/exit Traffic flow Road Map and concept design are not to scale April 2014

48 5. Next steps The comments and concerns raised by stakeholders and the community during the display of the M4 East concept design have been provided to the motorway design team for consideration, and where possible, used in refining the design and in identifying potential opportunities for minimising impacts on the local community. The feedback received has also been provided to the technical specialists preparing the environmental impact statement and will be considered in the assessment of potential project impacts. An updated set of frequently asked questions has also been prepared and made available on the project website in response to a number of comments received during the display of the concept design. Information will be updated on the WestConnex website ( as the project progresses and as more information becomes available. A number of studies that will assist with the preparation of the environmental impact statement have commenced and will be carried out over the coming months. Investigations and studies will include noise monitoring and modelling, air quality monitoring and modelling, flood modelling, traffic and transport, heritage, socio economic, flora and fauna, geotechnical investigations (ground condition) and visual assessment. If access to private property is required, property owners will be consulted and provided with details about the nature and timing of the investigations. Engagement with the community and key stakeholders will continue during the preparation of the EIS including meetings and briefings with community members and key stakeholders, responding to queries and feedback on the project information line and info@westconnex.com.au, providing online and printed updates on the project. Late in 2014, the EIS will be placed on exhibition and formal submissions will be invited. The EIS will provide a detailed assessment of potential project impacts. During the exhibition period a range of engagement activities will be held including drop in information sessions, briefings, meetings, static and staffed displays, a detailed design, fact sheets and updated website information. The WestConnex project team will then prepare a response to submissions received and provide a report on these submissions to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure. The design for the M4 East may change in response to the submissions received. The Minister for Planning will determine whether or not to approve the project and any conditions to be applied. Debrief to environmental and technical specialists undertaking the M4 East EIS on 26 February M4 East Community Feedback Report

49 Appendix 1: Concept Design Community Update M4 East Community Feedback Report 49

50 WestConnex Stage 1 M4 East Motorway concept design Community update November 2013 The NSW and Australian governments have embarked on Australia s largest road transport project, the 33km WestConnex motorway linking Sydney s west and south west with the city, airport and port. We are seeking community feedback on the concept design for the M4 East and will be holding information sessions in your area. Feedback is invited until 17 February 2014 and will be used to refine the motorway design and provide input to the environmental impact assessment. This concept design is preliminary and is subject to community and industry consultation. M4 East Connecting communities Creating jobs Easing congestion For more information and video, visit Contact WestConnex info@westconnex.com.au Locked Bag 928 North Sydney, NSW 2059

51 Air quality Air quality assessment Vehicle emissions have declined dramatically in the last 10 years. Increasingly stringent emission standards have contributed to this improvement, which is likely to continue in the future. The following boxes show the percentage of emissions compared to Three triggers for improved air quality Technological improvement znewer vehicles have far less emissions than older vehicles zcars constructed in 2013 have as little as 1% of the carbon monoxide of a 40 year old vehicle Carbon monoxide 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Nitrogen dioxide 140% 120% 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% DOWN 73% DOWN 63% Better enforcement zvisible haze has been significantly reduced in the M5 tunnel by taking out heavy polluters, such as smoky vehicles, with large fines and tunnel cameras Better regulation and monitoring zthe NSW Government has appointed an expert Advisory Committee on Tunnel Air Quality to review current national and international best practice za detailed air quality study will be included in the EIS. It will assess the air quality impacts from the construction and operation phases of the project, including the location of ventilation outlets Source: Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics Lessons learned from the M5 East tunnel (designed last century) WestConnex approach 1 Steep climbs The M5 East tunnel is built with steep grades of up to 8%, causing emissions to rise as trucks climb the steep grades Steep grades will be avoided ensuring emissions are kept to a minimum 2 Location of ventilation outlets The single ventilation outlet was situated 900 metres from the tunnel, meaning emissions had to be pumped a long way, making it inefficient and expensive Up to three sites will be selected based upon the guidelines set by the expert Advisory Committee on Tunnel Air Quality

52 M4 EAST Homebush Bay Drive to Parramatta Road and City West Link Oct 2012 Jun 2013 Oct 2013 Nov 2013 Nov 2013 Early 2014 Late 2014 Early 2015 Mid 2015 Mid 2015 Mid 2016 Early 2019 WestConnex a key recommendation in the State Infrastructure Strategy Construction funding confirmed in 2013/14 NSW Budget Industry briefing and sounding to test reference case in market Lodge planning application Concept design display and community consultation Expressions of interest from construction contractors Display Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and community consultation Planning approval decision Award construction contract Start of detailed design work Start of major work Open to traffic WE ARE HERE You are invited to drop in at any time during an information session to discuss this M4 East concept design and urban revitalisation with members of the WestConnex project team. Saturday 7 December 9am to 1pm St John s Church Hall, 64 Bland Street, Ashfield Monday 9 December 2pm to 6pm Michael Maher Room, Ground Floor 78 Dalhousie Street, Haberfield Saturday 14 December 10am to 2pm Concord Library, 60 Flavelle Street, Concord Tuesday 4 February 4pm to 8pm Five Dock Leisure Centre, corner Queens Road and William Street, Five Dock Thursday 6 February 3pm to 7pm Burwood Park Community Centre 2A Comer Street, Burwood Sunday 9 February 9am to 1pm Paddy s Market, Flemington Entry via Austin Avenue, Homebush West Wednesday 12 February 9am to 1pm Hungry Lions Cafe, Underwood Road, Homebush

53 This concept design is preliminary and is subject to community and industry consultation. BROUGHTO ME LB OU EE T TH WENTWOR ROAD PHILIP STREET ROBERTS STREET MOSELY STREET SWAN AVENUE MANSON ROAD LEICESTER AVENUE A AVENUE Parramatta to Sydney Airport and into tunnel STRE ET S STR EK E CR LINK T CI TY W ES VE O C ASHFIELD PARK RO AD TO THE GRE AT N O IR EET CECIL STRE ET DOS CHAN T STREE BLAND REET LOFTU FIVE DOCK E TL T A W K IC R DE E FR CHAN DOS STRE ET ALT ST WALKE R T BLAND STRE ET REET AVENU E TREET STREE ROAD DAL HOU SIE STR EET N O RTH ROAD HENRY ALT ST NORTH WATTLE S T RE E T COTE S TEET LEY SR EARLE AVENU E FREDE RICK S TREET W OL S E NUE AD ON RO CROYD MATTA ET E R ST ET E R ST RA M SA Y Connection to future WestConnex tunnel ST RE ET HABERFIELD M4 Widening BRITANNI AD PARK RO AM GRANTH STREET a day off Parramatta Road WESTBOUND TUNNEL QUEEN STREET PARRA DENM AN AVENU E New/upgraded surface road 40 saving 3,000 trucks PARRAMATTA ROAD Key N STREET TR ET RE ES ST RN S Burwood - CBD LE halving bus travel times CO Almost PARRAMA TTA ROAD Estimated HOMEBU bus lanes THE ENU WALLS AV 10km E RG EO D G UE N OY LL AVE ADA STREET Typical cross section of tunnel EASTBOUND TUNNEL New tunnel Stage 2 Completed 2020 D AN ET QUEENS ROAD HAMMOND PARK CR OY DO N TA ROAD BURWOOD PARK RE ST EX AL ROAD WAY M4 MOTOR RA PARRAMATTA RO AD E RIV YD AR ER NT CE traffic lights ROOK WOO bypassed D T YS T E RE D NCOR CO Stage 3 52 CONCORD OVAL Concord Road connections Completed 2023 Up to 3 lanes each way OAD BURWOOD R M4 East Completed 2019 NE Building for the future GIPPS STRE ET URY ROAD SHAFTESB PO M ST ERO RE Y ET RI VE HOM EB US HB AY D HO M4 WID ENING M4 EA ST CENTE NARY D RIVE PARR AMAT D SY WestConnex N SO R E TT T PA REE ST CANADA BAY AD RO STREET ET RE ST Completed 2017 R QUEEN ELIZABETH PARK S ON Y L RAMSAY E M4 Widening U N DE RW O O D PARR AMA TTA ROA D NORTH STRATHFIELD D OA DR OR NC CO HOMEBUSH BUSINESS PARK Y BA EK RE D SC A LL O WE PO SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK SH U EB M E IV R D Large sections of WestConnex will be built underground limiting the impact of properties affected on the surface. However, some properties will need to be acquired. The exact number and location of properties required for the motorway will be identified during the environmental assessment process. Potentially affected property owners will be contacted individually. STREET SI PARRAMATTA ROAD Property acquisition EET STR UE VEN SA ER PARRAMATTA ROAD HARRIS ROAD D TIN MAR ROG More detailed information about these features, and the management of construction and operational impacts, will be detailed in the Environmental Impact Statement. The EIS will be exhibited in late 2014 when further community feedback will be sought. OA O IR RAMSAY CO DALH O U KR N EET STR HILLCREST STREET DEROWIE AVENUE KANOONA AVENUE BEDFORD ROAD WELFARE STREET FLEMINGTON ROAD PA R ventilation outlets construction site compounds noise mitigation treatments drainage features tolling infrastructure VE WestConnex will provide the opportunity to revitalise the Parramatta Road corridor. Improved connectivity and accessibility, better public space and quality development will make the corridor a more appealing place to live, work and socialise. The urban revitalisation team will work with Councils and local communities to ensure opportunities are realised, while protecting and enhancing local character and identity. EET DE R RO WOO AD D K EE CR STR WE RO NTW AD OR SO TH UT H PARK ROAD UN Urban revitalisation on Parramatta Road ALT SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK The detailed location of supporting infrastructure for the following has not been identified at this stage: SIE HOU DAL Homebush connections Parramatta Road and City West Link connections PAGE A VE Stage 1 M4 East (November 2013) Funding the motorway Tunnel entry/exit The NSW Government is investing $1.8 billion and the Australian Government is investing $1.5 billion in WestConnex. The overall cost of delivering WestConnex is expected to be $ billion ($2012). As a result, tolling will be needed to fund the bulk of this critical missing link in Sydney's road network. Traffic flow Road Rail line ASHFIELD PARK 10,000 Almost Enable urban renewal along Parramatta Road jobs created

54 Appendix 2: Stakeholder feedback requested to be published M4 East Community Feedback Report 51

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