DRUMMOYNE WHARF REDEVELOPMENT Review of Environmental Factors APRIL 2014
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DRUMMOYNE WHARF REDEVELOPMENT Review of environmental factors APRIL 2014 (blank page) Roads and Maritime Services Drummoyne Wharf redevelopment Review of environmental factors April 2014 Prepared by RPS Australia East Pty Ltd COPYRIGHT: The concepts and information contained in this document are the property of the NSW Roads and Maritime Services (RMS). Use or copying of this document in whole or in part without the written permission of RMS constitutes an infringement of copyright. Document Controls Title: Drummoyne Wharf redevelopment review of environmental factors Approval and authorisation Accepted on behalf of Roads and Maritime Services NSW by: Signed: Dated: Document status Author Reviewed Date Working draft Rev A Greg Tallentire/Mia Peter Mangels 26 November 2013 Fay Rev B Peter Mangels Mia Fay 28 January 2014 Rev 0 Peter Mangels Mia Fay 1 April 2014 © Roads and Maritime Services NSW Executive summary The proposal Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) proposes to redevelop the ferry commuter wharf at Drummoyne, commonly referred to as Drummoyne Wharf. The proposal includes the upgrade of an existing wharf including the demolition of the existing wharf and the construction of a new wharf in the same location. Construction of the proposal is expected to commence about late April 2014 and is likely to take about four months, weather permitting. However, for the purpose of the environmental assessment RMS has considered impacts for up to six months of construction. The wharf would be closed for the duration of the construction period. Need for the proposal The proposal is essential to provide wharf access for people with a disability to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) and current legislative standards for disabled access. Options considered Three options were identified for the proposal. These were: Option 1 – The do nothing (base case) option. Option 2 – Refurbishment and re-use of the existing wharf. Option 3 – Demolition of the existing wharf and gangway and replacement with a new pontoon and gangway which improves accessibility of the wharf. Option 3 is the preferred option as it best meets the project objectives whilst minimising impacts on the environment. Statutory and planning framework State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 permits development on any land for the purpose of wharf or boating facilities to be carried out by or on behalf of a public authority without consent. As the proposal is for a wharf and boating facility and is to be carried out by RMS, it can be assessed under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). Development consent is not required. Community and stakeholder consultation Key government stakeholders including Canada Bay Council and Sydney Ferries as well as the local community have been consulted to date and all issues raised have been taken into account during development of the proposal. Issues raised have been addressed in this review of environmental factors (REF). Consultation will continue prior to and during construction of the proposal. Environmental impacts The main environmental impacts of the proposal and the management measures to address those impacts are summarised below: Noise and Vibration There would be exceedances of the noise criteria by up to 25 dB(A) for residential receivers during the daytime period during construction. There would be exceedances of the noise criteria by up to 40 dB(A) for residential receivers during the night time period during construction. There is potential for an exceedance Office of Environment and Heritage’s (OEH) disturbance screening criteria of up to 28 dB(A) during intricate lifts (11pm to 7am) and 46 Drummoyne Wharf redevelopment i Review of environmental factors dB(A) during piling (5am to 7am) which could cause awakening. With windows open, there is potential that noise levels at the facade of the nearest sensitive receiver during the night time period would be up to 76 dB(A) during intricate lifts (11pm to 7am) and 94 dB(A) during piling (5am to 7am) and could potentially affect the health and wellbeing of nearby residents. A noise and vibration management plan would be prepared prior to the commencement of construction and it would be implemented during the construction period. Noise and vibration impacts on the local community would be minimised by the implementation of suitable noise management strategies and restricting construction works to predominantly the day time period. However, piles would be installed during the night time period at the beginning of the project for about two weeks and there would be about 10 intricate lifts during the night over the construction period (up to about six months). There would be at least two nights per week where night works would not be undertaken. The community would be informed of construction activities and a community information and complaints line would be provided throughout the works to take inquiries and follow up on complaints. Land surface The installation of piles and anchoring of construction vessels may disturb sediments on the harbour bed, especially in shallow waters. Impact on land surface would be minimised through the installation of booms fitted with turbidity curtains around all water-based works for sediment containment. Landscape character and visual impact The impact on landscape character would be low to moderate The would be some change in views from surrounding areas however the overall impact would be low to moderate. Impacts on landscape character and views have been minimised during the design process by locating the new pontoon in the same alignment to the existing to minimise view loss, and the use of neutral colours and transparent materials which are low in reflectivity and complement the adjacent features of the land. Water quality There is potential for water pollution as a result of materials, spills or wastes accidentally entering the waters of Parramatta River and the broader Sydney Harbour during demolition and/or transportation. There would be increased water turbidity due to the removal and installation of piles and the operation of construction vessels, especially in shallow waters. The impact on water quality would be minimised through the installation of booms fitted with turbidity curtains around all water-based works for spill and sediment containment. Emergency spill kits would be kept on site at all times. Flora and fauna There would be a loss of organisms living in the sediments of the seabed (ie benthic biota) due to the placement of proposed new piles. A beneficial impact would occur from the provision of additional hard-substratum habitat and pile surfaces located in deeper water. There would be disturbance of aquatic habitats from construction vessel propeller wash and piling activities. No impacts are predicted on terrestrial vegetation or habitat. The disturbance of aquatic habitat would be minimised by setting up exclusion zones around rocky reef habitats. Drummoyne Wharf redevelopment ii Review of environmental factors Social and economic There would be temporary disruptions to commuters as ferry and water taxi services would not operate from Drummoyne Wharf for up to six months during the construction period. This is likely to result in a temporary increase in commuter travel times and disruptions to commuters during construction. There would be a reduced public safety risk associated with locating berthing faces further offshore within deeper water which would reduce the risk of vessels hitting the seafloor. Wharf access for people with a disability would be improved. Socio-economic impacts would be managed through continued communication and consultation with the community throughout the construction period. Land transport and parking There would be additional traffic due to about 15 vehicle movements per day comprising sub-contractors and concrete trucks travelling to and from the construction site. Impacts to parking availability would occur due to the parking of concrete trucks and construction vehicles at Wolseley Street. However, there may be a decrease in parking demand from those who would normally use Drummoyne Wharf whilst it is closed. Minor temporary changes to public transport use would occur during construction as commuters use other public transport services or switch to private vehicles for up to six months when the wharf is to be closed. Land transport and parking impacts would be minimised through measures contained in a traffic control plan such as management of pedestrian paths and signage. This plan would be prepared prior to the commencement of works and implemented during construction. Water transport Potentially there would be some temporary reduction in commuters using the Parramatta River ferry route due to the closure of Drummoyne Wharf during the construction period. Increased water-based traffic within Sydney Harbour and Parramatta River due to construction vessels transporting plant, equipment, materials and personnel between another off-site facility and the construction site. All non-construction related vessels would be prohibited from entering the area of the construction work site and therefore an impact on their movement. Water transport impacts would be minimised by clearly marking out the construction zone onsite and by informing commercial and recreational users of the changes to wharf access prior to and during construction. Non-Aboriginal heritage Safeguard and maintain the