PART A
INTRODUCTION AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT
Sydney Light Rail Extension — Stage 1 — Inner West Extension Environmental Assessment
PART A INTRODUCTION AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT
1. Introduction
1.1 Project background
In February 2010, the New South Wales (NSW) Government announced, as part of the Metropolitan Transport Plan, a $500 million commitment to extend the Sydney light rail. These extensions would comprise two stages:
Stage 1 — an Inner West extension of 5.6 kilometres along the disused Rozelle goods line corridor from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill
Stage 2 — a CBD western corridor extension from Haymarket to Circular Quay via Barangaroo with consideration of a future light rail option from Circular Quay to Central via George Street.
Collectively, these two stages are known as the Sydney Light Rail Extensions (SLRE). An overview of the SLRE and the alignment of the existing light rail operations between Lilyfield and Central Station are shown in Figure 1.1.
In the 2010–11 NSW Budget, funding has been allocated to start construction on the SLRE Stage 1 (Inner West Extension) following the environmental assessment (EA) process, as well as to undertake pre-construction work on Stage 2.
In finalising the scope of work for the SLRE Stage 1, the NSW Government took into account the many practical suggestions received from the community following the public release of the Sydney Light Rail — Inner West Extension Study (GHD 2010).
The community strongly favoured the inclusion of a walking and cycling shared path in the corridor, along with a number of bushcare sites — termed a ‘GreenWay’ — from the Cooks River to Iron Cove. On 19 July 2010, the NSW Government announced that the GreenWay would be included in the project.
The SLRE Stage 1 (Inner West Extension), including the GreenWay, form the project and are the subject of this EA.
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LOCATION MAP HORNSBY N
CASTLE HILL
PARRAMATTA CHATSWOOD STAGE 2 CBD WESTERN CORRIDOR EXTENSION
STRATHFIELD SYDNEY BONDI JUNCTION
BANKSTOWN
LILYFIELD STOP LEICHHARDT HAWTHORNE NORTH STOP STOP EXISTING LIGHT RAIL
MARION STOP STAGE 1 Stabling and INNER WEST EXTENSION maintenance facility
TAVERNERS HILL STOP
LEWISHAM WEST STOP
WARATAH MILLS STOP ARLINGTON STOP DULWICH GROVE STOP
DULWICH HILL INTERCHANGE STOP
0 N 1
kilometre
Figure 1.1 Overview of the SLRE and existing light rail network LOCATION MAP HORNSBY N
CASTLE HILL
PARRAMATTA CHATSWOOD
STRATHFIELD SYDNEY BONDI JUNCTION
BANKSTOWN
ARLINGTON STOP WARATAH MILLS STOP
MARION STOP HAWTHORNE STOP DULWICH TAVERNERS GROVE STOP LEWISHAM WEST STOP HILL STOP LEICHHARDT NORTH STOP DULWICH HILL INTERCHANGE STOP
LILYFIELD STOP
Light rail alignment Local government area Existing light rail stop Existing heavy rail stop Figure 1.2 Overview of the project Proposed GreenWay boundary Proposed light rail stops shared path Watercourse Sydney Light Rail Extension — Stage 1 — Inner West Extension Environmental Assessment
1.2 Project objectives
In line with the NSW Government’s overarching strategic objectives for metropolitan transport (described in detail in Chapter 4), the key objectives of the project are to:
improve public transport access and connections between where people live, work and visit
improve the integration of public transport networks by linking existing radial corridors
enhance liveability by improving local accessibility and amenity along the corridor
encourage sustainable and healthier travel options with greater use of active transport
make best use of a disused government asset
deliver a safe and reliable project in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way
deliver the project in an economically efficient and timely manner, in a close and cooperative manner with the local community, State and local government, contractors and other key stakeholders.
1.3 Locality
The light rail component of the project would commence, at its easternmost extent, at the existing light rail Lilyfield stop. This component would be located within the existing disused Rozelle goods line corridor between the Lilyfield stop and Dulwich Hill, adjacent to Dulwich Hill Railway Station.
The GreenWay component of the project would commence, at its northernmost extent, at Iron Cove, Dobroyd Point and continue in a southerly direction to Cooks River, Dulwich Hill.
The project would pass through the local government areas of Leichhardt, Ashfield and Marrickville within the Inner West of the Sydney metropolitan region. The project would be located between approximately four kilometres (Lilyfield end) and eight kilometres (Dulwich Hill end) from the centre of the Sydney CBD. Figure 1.2 shows the location of the project.
The landscape within the corridor is relatively level given the need for a gentle gradient for the freight railway line. However, outside the immediate alignment of the existing tracks, the landscape has varying topography with some steep embankments on both the eastern and western sides of the corridor at a number of points.
Given the previous use of the corridor as a goods line corridor, many adjacent land uses have been designed to ‘turn away’ from the rail corridor and face the adjoining street networks to the east and west of the corridor. Land uses along the corridor vary significantly; they include a range of residential housing densities, current and historical industrial developments, and open space and recreational areas.
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1.4 Overview of the project
1.4.1 Key features
The key features of the project are shown in Figures 6.1a to 6.1f and comprise:
a 5.6 kilometre extension of the light rail between the existing Lilyfield light rail stop and the proposed Dulwich Hill Interchange stop. The extension would be located within the disused Rozelle goods line corridor
nine new light rail stops — Leichhardt North, Hawthorne, Marion, Taverners Hill, Lewisham West, Waratah Mills, Arlington, Dulwich Grove and Dulwich Hill Interchange
provision of the GreenWay shared path, (a shared pedestrian and cycle path) from Iron Cove at Dobroyd Point to the northern bank of the Cooks River. This would be located on the western side of the light rail
as part of the provision of the GreenWay, provision of sites for bushcare and vegetation remediation in order to increase local habitat for fauna
minor modifications to the existing Lilyfield stop and surrounding track to tie-in new track and overhead wiring infrastructure with the existing light rail
modifications to the existing space used for car parking in Bedford Crescent to accommodate the Dulwich Hill Interchange stop
raising of the existing bridge over Parramatta Road, which would carry the light rail
provision of pedestrian linkages (access pathways) to surrounding neighbourhoods to enable access to the GreenWay shared path and light rail stops
modification of the existing road bridge structures to accommodate the GreenWay shared path — namely at Hercules Street, Old Canterbury Road, Constitution Road, Davis Street and Longport Street
a new pedestrian/cycle bridge at Parramatta Road adjacent to the Parramatta Road underbridge
a new pedestrian/cycle bridge across Hawthorne Canal near Hawthorne stop
new infrastructure to ensure accessibility and connectivity between the GreenWay shared path, local streets and light rail stops
safety fencing or separation of the:
GreenWay shared path and light rail operations the light rail operations and the heavy rail near Dulwich Hill Railway Station
provision of overhead wiring, substation and utilities infrastructure
minor modifications to the existing light rail stabling and maintenance facility located at Pyrmont.
A more detailed description of the project is provided in Chapter 6.
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1.4.2 Light rail ownership and delivery strategy
A Project Deed, dated 2 December 1994, with various subsequent amendments, sets out the contractual arrangements between Pyrmont Light Rail Company, Sydney Light Rail Company (both wholly owned by Metro Transport Sydney) and the Department of Transport (now Transport NSW). The Director-General of Transport NSW is the Principal under the Deed. The term of the concession of the light rail system under this Project Deed expires on 10 February 2028, after which time ownership reverts to the NSW Government.
The existing light rail system is owned and marketed by Metro Transport Sydney, which is a privately owned Australian company. The light rail is currently operated by Veolia Transport Sydney under contract to Metro Transport System.
Within the Project Deed, Pyrmont Light Rail Company has the first right to negotiate terms and conditions for any extension of the existing light rail.
Recognising these Project Deed provisions the proposed delivery strategy is to reach agreement with the existing owner, subject to achieving a value for money outcome for the NSW Government, for them to undertake the detailed design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of the light rail extension component of the project.
The GreenWay would be designed and delivered by NSW Government concurrently with the delivery of the light rail extension.
1.4.3 Planning approvals process
The project is to be assessed under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The planning approvals process under Part 3A for the project is shown in Figure 1.3 and explained in greater detail in Chapter 2. Part 3A of the EP&A Act establishes an assessment and approval regime for major projects, and applies to the carrying out of development that is declared to be a Part 3A project by either a state environmental planning policy (SEPP) or a Ministerial Order published in the Government Gazette. The project was declared to be a project to which Part 3A applied in Government Gazette 19 March 2010, which was subsequently amended on 16 July 2010 (Appendix A).
In July 2010, a major project application and supporting preliminary environmental assessment (Transport NSW 2010a) was submitted to NSW Department of Planning seeking approval from the Minister to carry out the project. In response, Director-General’s Requirements (DGRs) were issued for the project on 11 August 2010 (Appendix B).
This EA has been prepared in accordance with the DGRs (Appendix C includes a checklist of the DGRs). A summary of the statutory planning context of the project is provided in Chapter 2.
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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Part 3A Order gazetted
Transport NSW prepares and submits a major project application and preliminary environmental assessment to the Director-General of the Department of Planning
Department of Planning accepts major project application and consults relevant government agencies
Director-General of the Department of Planning provides environmental assessment requirements. These are the Director-General’s Requirements (DGRs)
Preparation of environmental assessment including draft statement of commitments
Transport NSW submits environmental assessment to Director-General of the Department of Planning for acceptance
EXHIBITION AND CONSULTATION
Director-General of the Department of Planning considers whether the environmental assessment adequately addresses the DGRs. Director-General of the Department of Planning may request a revised environmental assessment
WE ARE Environmental assessment placed on public exhibition (minimum 30 days) HERE
At the completion of exhibition period, the Director-General of the Department of Planning provides Transport NSW with a copy of submissions or summary of issues raised
Transport NSW prepares a submissions report / revised statement of commitments / preferred project report if required by Director-General of the Department of Planning
ASSESSMENT AND DETERMINATION
Assessment by the Department of Planning. Preferred project report (if required) may Agencies and Councils would be be exhibited if significant changes to the consulted by the Department of Planning nature of the project are proposed
Assessment report prepared by the Director-General of the Department of Planning. Report submitted to the Minister for Planning
Minister for Planning decides whether or not to approve the project and the conditions to be attached to any approval
Figure 1.3 Part 3A approval process Sydney Light Rail Extension — Stage 1 — Inner West Extension Environmental Assessment
1.5 Environmental assessment
1.5.1 The role of the environmental assessment
The aim of the environmental assessment process is to consider all relevant environmental and social matters, and to undertake stakeholder and community engagement during the development of the project and the impact assessment.
This EA report assesses all of the potential adverse impacts in addition to identifying the benefits of the project. It also outlines the various management and mitigation measures proposed to reduce adverse impacts, and identifies opportunities created by the project that would result in increased benefits to the environment and local community.
This EA also includes a draft statement of commitments (SoC — Chapter 19) that identifies the measures considered necessary by the proponent (Transport NSW) to mitigate and manage existing and potential environmental impacts resulting from the construction and/or operation of the project.
The anticipated project timeline for the environmental assessment process, through to commencement of operations, is outlined in Table 1.1.
Table 1.1 Project timeline — key events and milestones
Milestone Date Project application and Preliminary EA lodged July 2010 Community consultation during the EA preparation August– September 2010 Exhibition of the SLRE Stage 1 EA and community consultation 4th quarter 2010 Director-General’s assessment and project determination 1st quarter 2011 Construction commences (subject to approval) 1st quarter 2011 Construction complete (subject to approval) 4th quarter 2011 Commencement of operation of the project (subject to approval) 1st quarter 2012
1.5.2 The role of Transport NSW
Transport NSW is the lead public transport agency of the NSW Government, with primary responsibility for transport policy, planning and coordination functions as well as oversight of infrastructure delivery and asset management. Transport NSW was constituted under the Transport Administration Act 1988 as amended by the Transport Administration Amendment Act 2010.
It will be the governing body responsible for the development and delivery of the project and the proponent for the purposes of the EP&A Act.
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1.6 Structure and content of this document
This document comprises the EA for the project (Volume 1) and supporting technical papers (Volume 2). The structure and content of Volume 1 are summarised in Table 1.2.
Table 1.2 Structure and content of this document (Volume 1)
Part Chapter/Appendix Description Part A Chapter 1 — Introduction Outlines the background to the project, the project Introduction and proponent, project objectives, location, and key need for the features of the project, and provides a guide to project the approval requirements and the EA. Chapter 2 — Planning and Provides information regarding the applicable statutory requirements environmental planning instruments, regulatory requirements and other legislation that applies to the project, in particular the application of Part 3A of the EP&A Act. Chapter 3 — Community Provides an overview of the community and and stakeholder stakeholder consultation processes that have engagement been undertaken regarding the overall development of the project. Chapter 4 — Strategic and Outlines the strategic context and relationship project justification between the project and the strategic infrastructure planning objectives of the NSW State Government and relevant local governments. The chapter also outlines the key benefits of the project. Part B Chapter 5 — Design Describes how the overall project was developed Concept design development and the alternative options that were considered and for various elements including stop locations and development configurations, structure upgrades, track route and GreenWay shared path components. Chapter 6 — Description of Provides a detailed description of the components the project of the light rail extension, the built form, physical infrastructure and operational requirements for the project. Chapter 7 — Construction Describes the construction methodology and the of the project key construction sites and stockpile locations, and how the project is likely to be constructed. Chapter 8 — Sustainable Outlines the sustainability framework of the development project, including integration with the GreenWay shared path and other sustainability initiatives that were considered during concept design or would be considered during further detailed design.
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Part Chapter/Appendix Description Part C1 Chapter 9 — Land use Each chapter describes the potential impact of the Environmental integration project on each of the identified key environmental issues. Each chapter also outlines assessment — Chapter 10 — Traffic and mitigation measures and recommendations to key issues transport manage the identified impacts of the project Chapter 11 — Noise and during construction and operation. vibration Chapter 12 — Historic heritage Chapter 13 — Ecology Chapter 14 — Visual impact, landscaping and urban design Chapter 15 — Greenhouse gases and energy Chapter 16 — Climate change adaptation Part C2 Chapter 17 — Other Describes the potential impacts of the project on Environmental environmental issues other environmental issues. Outlines mitigation assessment — measures and recommendations to manage the non-key issues identified impacts of the project during construction and operation. Chapter 18 — Details the risk analysis process by which the Environmental risk analysis potential environmental issues for assessment were identified. Part D Chapter 19 — Statement of Details the draft statement of commitments that Statement of commitments has been established for the project. commitments, Provides the construction management framework justification and for the project. conclusions Chapter 20 — Justification Reinforces the justification for the project in light of the proposed objectives, including an assessment of the project’s consistency with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. Chapter 21 — Conclusions Provides a conclusion to the EA. Appendices Appendix A — Details the NSW Government gazetted orders that Declarations provide for the project as a Part 3A project and the project’s critical infrastructure status. Appendix B — Director- Outlines the DGRs for the EA, including the key General’s requirements issues for consideration to be taken into account (DGRs) with respect to the project. Appendix C — Checklist of Summarises where the DGRs are addressed in DGRs the EA.
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Volume 2 of this document comprises a number of technical papers that support the EA (Volume 1). These technical papers document the studies that have been undertaken to assess the potential impacts of the project in accordance with the DGRs.
The mitigation and management measures proposed in the technical papers have been taken into account in developing the recommended mitigation measures and further investigations for the project as a whole.
The structure and content of Volume 2 (Technical Papers) are summarised in Table 1.3.
Table 1.3 Structure and content of Volume 2 (Technical Papers)
Technical Paper Description Volume 2 Technical Paper 1 — Documents the traffic and transport assessment that was undertaken for Traffic and transport the project by Parsons Brinckerhoff. It also provides mitigation measures and recommendations to manage the identified impacts of the project during construction and operation. Technical Paper 2 — Documents the noise and vibration assessment that was undertaken for the Noise and vibration project by Heggies Pty Ltd. It also provides mitigation measures and recommendations to manage the identified impacts of the project during construction and operation. Technical Paper 3 — Documents the historic heritage and Aboriginal heritage assessment that Heritage was undertaken for the project, by Australian Museum Business Services. It also provides mitigation measures and recommendations to manage the identified impacts of the project during construction and operation. Technical Paper 4 — Documents the ecological assessment that was undertaken for the project Ecology by Parsons Brinckerhoff. It also provides mitigation measures and recommendations to manage the identified impacts of the project during construction and operation. Technical Paper 5 — Documents the visual impact assessment that was undertaken for the Visual project by Hassell Architects. It also provides mitigation measures and recommendations to manage the identified impacts of the project during construction and operation. Technical Paper 6 — Documents the socioeconomic impact assessment that was undertaken for Socioeconomic the project by Hill PDA. It also provides mitigation measures and recommendations to manage the identified impacts of the project during construction and operation.
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1.7 Project team
Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia prepared this EA on behalf of Transport NSW. Several organisations also prepared specialist studies as part of the environmental assessment process, including:
Australian Museum Business Services — historic heritage and Aboriginal heritage impact assessments
Hill PDA — economic and social impact assessment
Heggies Pty Ltd — noise and vibration impact assessment
Hassell Architects — visual impact assessment.
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2. Planning and statutory requirements
This chapter provides the statutory requirements, explains the applicable environmental planning and approvals process and discusses the environmental planning instruments that are relevant to the construction and operation of the project.
2.1 State legislation
2.1.1 Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979
Part 3A of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) establishes an assessment and approval regime for major infrastructure and other projects, and applies to the carrying out of development that is declared to be a Part 3A project by either a state environmental planning policy (SEPP) or a Ministerial Order published in the Government Gazette.
State and regional environmental planning significance declaration
On 19 March 2010, an order was gazetted by the Minister for Planning under Section 75B of the EP&A Act (NSW Government Gazette No. 40, pages 1283–84; refer Appendix A) declaring four ‘priority developments for the delivery of the Metropolitan Transport Plan 2010’ to which Part 3A applies. The declaration stated that development ‘for the purposes of the Light Rail Extension, generally between Lilyfield and Dulwich Hill’ is of State and regional environmental planning significance.
This declaration was subsequently amended to exclude preliminary investigations, certain minor works and maintenance activities. The amended declaration was gazetted by an order dated 16 July 2010 (NSW Government Gazette No. 92, pages 3482–83).
The declaration (as of 16 July 2010; refer Appendix A) includes the following excerpt of relevance to the project:
‘Priority developments for the delivery of the Metropolitan Transport Plan 2010, being each of the following developments:
(c) development for the purposes of the Light Rail Extension, generally between Lilyfield and Dulwich Hill’.
Critical infrastructure declaration
Section 75C of the EP&A Act enables the Minister for Planning to declare a project to be critical infrastructure because it is, in the opinion of the Minister, ‘essential for the State for economic, environmental or social reasons.’ The critical infrastructure provisions of the EP&A Act aim to accomplish the following:
ensure the timely and efficient delivery of essential infrastructure projects
allow the Government and the planning system to rapidly and readily respond to the changing needs of the State
provide certainty in the delivery of these projects
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provide for rigorous scrutiny to ensure environmental outcomes are appropriate
focus on delivering outcomes essential to the NSW community.
In the Government order gazetted on 19 March 2010 and subsequently amended on 16 July 2010, the Minister for Planning declared that ‘development for the purposes of the Light Rail Extension, generally between Lilyfield and Dulwich Hill’ as a critical infrastructure project under Section 75C of the EP&A Act, noting that in his opinion, the development is ‘essential for the State for economic, environmental or social reasons’.
Given the gazetted Government orders relating to the project, the SLRE Stage 1 is accordingly considered to be a critical infrastructure project to which Part 3A applies.
Assessment and approval process under Part 3A of the EP&A Act 1979
A summary of the steps in the assessment and approval process and current status of the project under Part 3A of the EP&A Act are discussed and illustrated in Chapter 1 and Figure 1.3, respectively. Further details of this process are provided below.
Project application and preliminary environmental assessment
In July 2010, a major project application was submitted to the NSW Department of Planning seeking approval for the project.
The application was supported by a preliminary EA (PEA) (Sydney Light Rail Extension Stage 1 — Inner West Extension Preliminary Environmental Assessment Transport NSW 2010a) and a Product Definition Report, which provided an overview of the project, outlined the key environmental issues and proposed an indicative scope of works for the environmental assessment of the project.
Director-General’s requirements
After consultation with State and local government agencies, and using information provided in the PEA, on 11 August 2010 the Director-General of the Department of Planning issued the Director-General’s Requirements (DGRs) for the project. A copy of the DGRs is provided in Appendix B.
The DGRs set out the key issues to be addressed in the EA as follows:
land use and transport integration (refer Chapter 9 and 10)
operational noise and vibration (refer Chapter 11)
historic heritage (refer Chapter 12)
ecology (refer Chapter 13)
design, sustainability and amenity (refer Chapter 14 to16).
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Preparation of environmental assessment
An EA is required to be prepared and submitted to the Director-General. The EA documents the expected environmental impacts from construction and operation of the project, and outlines the proposed mitigation measures. The proponent may be required to submit a revised EA if it is considered that the assessment does not adequately address the DGRs (Section 75H).
The Director-General also requires a statement outlining the commitments that the proponent makes to manage/mitigate the identified environmental impacts of the project, referred to as a statement of commitments (Section 75F).
This document comprises the EA for the project. It demonstrates that Transport NSW has addressed the potential environmental impacts of the project through concept design development (in particular for stop locations), rigorous environmental assessment, and the development of appropriate mitigation and management measures.
The draft statement of commitments for the project is provided in Chapter 19.
Public exhibition and comment
The Director-General must make the EA publicly available for at least 30 days. During this exhibition period, any person (including a public authority) may make a written submission to the Director-General.
This EA would be publicly displayed during October and November 2010. Public displays would include a copy of this EA report and technical papers, posters incorporating details of the project and project update newsletters. Displays would be located in the Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville local government areas and at the Department of Planning, and would be accessible during working hours. An electronic copy of the documentation would also be made available on the Department of Planning’s website (www.planning.nsw.gov.au) and Transport NSW’s website (www.transport.nsw.gov.au).
Consideration of submissions
Written submissions on the EA and/or project can be made to the Department of Planning by anyone with an interest in the project. Submissions should be sent to the Department of Planning by the closing date and should be addressed to:
Sydney Light Rail Extension (Stage 1) — Inner West Extension Environmental Assessment Department of Planning Major Infrastructure Assessments NSW Department of Planning 22–33 Bridge Street SYDNEY NSW 2000
Copies of the submissions received by the Director-General are provided to the proponent and any relevant public authorities.
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The proponent may be required to prepare and submit to the Director-General:
a submissions report, providing a response to the issues raised in the submissions
a preferred project report, outlining any proposed changes to the project to minimise its environmental impacts (If the changes are considered significant, the Director-General may require the proponent to make the preferred project report available to the public)
a revised statement of commitments (Section 75H).
Assessment and determination
The Minister for Planning is the approval authority for all projects assessed under Part 3A (except where the power to grant approval has been duly delegated to the Planning Assessment Commission).
The Director-General prepares a report to the Minister for Planning on the EA and on any of the documents listed above that are required, for the purposes of the Minister’s consideration of the application for approval to carry out the project (Section 75J).
The Minister determines whether to approve or disapprove the carrying out of the project. A project may be approved with conditions set by the Minister (Section 75I).
2.2 Commonwealth legislation
2.2.1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
The Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) prescribes the Commonwealth’s role in environmental assessment, biodiversity conservation and the management of protected areas and species, populations and communities, and heritage items.
The EPBC Act requires referral to the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts for any actions that are likely to have a significant impact on:
a matter of national environmental significance (Matter of NES), which include:
the world heritage values of a declared World Heritage property
the National Heritage values of a listed National Heritage place
the ecological character of a declared Ramsar wetland
listed threatened species and ecological communities
listed migratory species
Commonwealth marine environments
nuclear actions
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an action by the Commonwealth or a Commonwealth agency which has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment
an action on Commonwealth land which has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment
an action which has, will have or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment on Commonwealth land, no matter where it is to be carried out.
An action includes a project, development, undertaking, activity, or series of activities.
Matters of NES are assessed through a referral process to the Commonwealth Department for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (SEWPAC).
If the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts determines that an approval is required under the EPBC Act, the proposed action is deemed to be a ‘controlled action’. It must then undergo assessment under the EPBC Act and obtain an approval under the Act prior to being undertaken.
No significant impacts in relation to these matters have been identified during the course of the assessment. Accordingly, the project has not been referred to SEWPAC.
2.2.2 Environmental planning instruments
The EP&A Act states that the Director-General’s Assessment Report, which the Minister must consider in deciding whether to approve the project, is required to include a copy of, or reference to, the provisions of the SEPPs that substantially govern the carrying out of the project (Section 75I(2)(d)), and any planning instrument that would (but for Part 3A) substantially govern the carrying out of the project, and which have been taken into consideration in the EA (Section 75I(2)(e)).
SEPPs and other relevant planning instruments would continue to apply to the project until approval has been granted (Section 75R(2) and 75R(3)). Specifically, Section 75R(2) of the EP&A Act states that SEPPs apply to:
(a) ‘the declaration of a project as a project to which this Part applies or as a critical infrastructure project, and
(b) the carrying out of a project, but (in the case of a critical infrastructure project) only to the extent that the provisions of such a policy expressly provide that they apply to and in respect of the particular project.’
As identified in Section 2.1.1, the project has been declared to be a critical infrastructure project under Part 3A of the EP&A. Through the provision of Sections 75J and 75R of the EP&A Act, and the critical infrastructure declaration on 19 March 2010, the project may be approved notwithstanding any prohibition contained within an existing environmental planning instrument, including a SEPP, unless that SEPP specifically states that it applies to the critical infrastructure project. No SEPPs that expressly provide that they apply to and in respect of the project have been identified.
Under Section 75J(3) the Minister may (but is not required to) take into account the provisions of any environmental planning instrument that would not (because of Section 75R) apply to the project if approved.
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The following environmental planning instruments have been considered as relevant to the project:
State Environmental Planning Policy 2005 (Major Development SEPP)
State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (Infrastructure SEPP)
State Environmental Planning Policy No. 19 — Bushland in Urban Areas (SEPP 19)
State Environmental Planning Policy No. 55 — Remediation of Land (SEPP 55)
Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005 (SREP SHC)
Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No. 26 — City West (SREP 26)
Ashfield Local Environmental Plan 1985 (Ashfield LEP 1985)
Leichhardt Local Environmental Plan 2000 (Leichhardt LEP 2000)
Marrickville Local Environmental Plan 2001 (Marrickville LEP 2001).
The project’s compliance with the relevant State, regional and local environmental planning instruments shown above is presented below.
Major Development SEPP
The Major Development SEPP identifies development to which the development assessment and approval process under Part 3A of the EP&A Act applies.
Clause 6 of Major Development SEPP states:
‘(1) Development that, in the opinion of the Minister, is development of a kind:
(a) that is described in Schedule 1 or 2, or
(b) that is described in Schedule 3 as a project to which Part 3A of the Act applies, or
(c) to the extent that it is not otherwise described in Schedules 1–3, that is described in Schedule 5,
is declared to be a project to which Part 3A of the Act applies.’
As discussed in Section 2.1.1, by order published in the NSW Government Gazette dated 19 March 2010 and subsequently amended on 16 July 2010, the Minister for Planning has declared the SLRE Stage 1 to be a project to which Part 3A applies. As such, the project is considered to be a major project and is to be assessed under Part 3A of the EP&A Act.
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Infrastructure SEPP
The Infrastructure SEPP aims to facilitate the effective delivery of infrastructure across the State by providing a consistent planning regime for infrastructure and the provision of services across NSW. The Infrastructure SEPP commenced on 1 January 2008.
Section 83 of the Infrastructure SEPP provides that development for the purpose of a ‘railway’ or ‘railway infrastructure facilities’ ‘does not apply to or in respect of light rail systems or light rail services (within the meaning of the Transport Administration Act 1988)’. However, Section 104P of the Transport Administration Act 1988 contains statutory provisions that permit the construction and operation of the project without the need for development consent under Part 4 of the EP&A Act.
As described in Section 2.2.1, however, the project has been declared to be a project to which Part 3A of the EP&A Act applies by virtue of a Ministerial Order gazetted on 19 March 2010 (as amended on 16 July 2010). Accordingly, the project is to be approved under Part 3A of the EP&A Act.
SEPP No. 19 — Bushland in Urban Areas
SEPP 19 applies to all bushland within the Sydney metropolitan area that is zoned or reserved as public open space. The aim of SEPP 19 is to preserve remnant vegetation within urban areas, and to give bushland areas priority over developments. The determining authority must consider what impact the clearing of bushland might have on soil erosion, siltation of streams and the spread of exotic weeds and plants.
The aims and objectives of SEPP 19 are addressed in Table 2.1, together with implications for the project.
Table 2.1 Aims and objectives of SEPP 19
Aim/objective Impact of the project (a) to protect the remnants of plant No natural remnant areas of plant communities communities which were once have been identified within the project corridor or characteristic of land now within an urban alignment of the GreenWay shared path. area (b) to retain bushland in parcels of a size and The proposal includes the addition of new bushcare configuration which will enable the sites to supplement the existing bushcare sites existing plant and animal communities to which have previously been developed within the survive in the long term local area. The project is therefore considered to be consistent with this aim. (c) to protect rare and endangered flora and No protected rare and endangered flora and fauna fauna species species are expected to be impacted by the project. (d) to protect habitats for native flora and The project has been designed to minimise the fauna impact on vegetation, in particular habitats for native flora and fauna. In addition, the proposed additional bushcare sites proposed as part of the project would provide a beneficial impact with respect to this objective. (e) to protect wildlife corridors and vegetation The GreenWay shared path would not result in the links with other nearby bushland severing of any existing wildlife corridors or vegetation links with other nearby bushland. It is considered that the project would strengthen existing links through the allocation of additional bushcare sites within and adjacent to the project.
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Aim/objective Impact of the project (f) to protect bushland as a natural stabiliser The project would not have an impact on the ability of the soil surface of existing bushland to act as a natural stabiliser of the soil surface within the vicinity of the project. (g) to protect bushland for its scenic values The existing bushland within the local area would be protected during the project and enhanced by the additional bushcare sites proposed. (h) to protect significant geological features The project would not impact on significant geological features within the vicinity of the project. (i) to protect existing landforms, such as The project would not impact on existing landforms, natural drainage lines, watercourses and such as natural drainage lines, watercourses and foreshores foreshores within the vicinity of the project. (j) to protect archaeological relics The project would not impact on any archaeological relics within the vicinity of the project. (k) to protect the recreational potential of The project would not impact on the recreation bushland potential of existing bushland and would create new bushcare sites that would add to the recreational potential of the local area. (l) to protect the educational potential of The project would not impact on the educational bushland potential of the existing bushland. (m) to maintain bushland in locations which The existing and proposed bushland and bushcare are readily accessible to the community areas within the local vicinity would potentially be more accessible following the completion of the project as a result of the additional access and pedestrian paths provided as part of the GreenWay shared path and light rail. (n) to promote the management of bushland The increased awareness and dedication of in a manner which protects and bushcare groups within the local area would help to enhances the quality of the bushland and promote and enhance the quality of the existing and facilitates public enjoyment of the proposed bushland and facilitates within the local bushland compatible with its conservation area.
SEPP No. 55 — Remediation of Land
The aim of SEPP 55 is to provide a state-wide planning approach to the remediation of contaminated land, and to promote the remediation of contaminated land to reduce the risk of harm to human health or any other aspect of the environment. SEPP 55 requires that, where land is contaminated, it must be suitably remediated prior to any further development on that land. SEPP 55 also contains provisions relating to the type of remediation work required and references to contaminated land planning guidelines.
Clause 7 of SEPP 55 requires that contamination and remediation of land be considered by a consent authority in determining a development application. However, development consent under Part 4 of the EP&A Act is not required for the project, by virtue of a Ministerial Order gazetted on 19 March 2010 (as amended on 16 July 2010) identifying the project as critical infrastructure. Accordingly, Clause 7 of SEPP 55 does not apply to the project. Nevertheless, the principles of SEPP 55 have been considered.
A Phase 1 contamination assessment has been undertaken for the project as discussed in Section 17.5 which provides detail on site contaminants and mitigation measures that would be implemented to reduce any harmful impacts on humans or the natural environment.
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Deemed State Environmental Planning Policies
As of 1 July 2009, regional environmental plans (REPs) are no longer part of the hierarchy of environmental planning instruments in NSW. All existing REPs are now deemed SEPPs (refer to Planning Circular PS 09–014).
Sydney Regional Environmental Plan (Sydney Harbour Catchment) 2005 (SREP SHC)
SREP SHC applies to all land within the Leichhardt local government area (LGA), and parts of the Ashfield and Marrickville LGAs, including the northern portion of the project. The plan aims to protect, enhance and maintain the catchment, foreshores, waterways and islands of Sydney Harbour. The plan also aims to establish a balance between promoting a prosperous working harbour, maintaining a healthy and sustainable waterway environment and promoting recreational access to the foreshore and waterways.
Whilst the SREP SHC captures a significant proportion of the project site within its boundary, the project would not impact on any identified zonings provided for under the SREP SHC. The project is not expected to impact existing hydrological, ecological and geomorphological processes that may have a detrimental impact on the existing environmental quality of Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Regional Environmental Plan No 26 — City West
SREP 26 covers the areas of Ultimo–Pyrmont, Glebe Island, White Bay, Rozelle Bay, Central and Eveleigh. The plan aims to promote the orderly and economic use and development of this land, known as City West. SREP 26 establishes various planning principles and controls for the area as a whole and for each of its precincts.
Part of the project between the proposed Leichhardt North stop and the existing Lilyfield stop (including the proposed works to Lilyfield stop) would occur on land zoned under SREP 26 within the Bays Precinct. One of the identified roles and land use activities identified for this precinct is as follows:
‘Development is to take full advantage of the Precinct’s location and its infrastructure, particularly rail or light rail facilities, for the port and other employment generating activities.’
The project is considered to be consistent with this aim.
Local environmental planning instruments
The project would be located within the three LGAs of Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville. The relevant planning instruments and zoning identified within these instruments that relate to the project have been used to identify the types of land uses applicable to and adjoining the project. Within each LGA, the relevant LEPs have been considered in order to determine whether the project would be permissible within each of the land use zonings it would cross.
Table 2.2 summarises the permissibility of the project in this regard.
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Table 2.2 Overview of permissibility of the project under applicable LEPs
Zone Project components Permissibility Ashfield LEP 1985 5(b) Special Uses (Railway) Light rail alignment Permissible 5(b) Special Uses (Railway) GreenWay shared path and Not permissible bushcare sites 6(a) Existing Recreation GreenWay shared path and Permissible bushcare sites Leichhardt LEP 2000 Unzoned land Light rail alignment and Not available GreenWay shared path Lilyfield stop and track Light rail alignment and Generally consistent with the component between temporary access during objectives of the zone under the Lilyfield stop and Balmain construction SREP Road — Port and employment (SREP 26) Open Space GreenWay shared path Permissible Marrickville LEP 2001 Special Uses (B)(Railways) Light rail alignment Permissible Special Uses (B)(Railways) GreenWay shared path and Not permissible bushcare sites Open Space (A) GreenWay shared path and Permissible bushcare sites
In addition, some minor works associated with the existing light rail stabling and maintenance facility at Pyrmont would be required as part of the project. This area is within the Darling Harbour Precinct under the Major Development SEPP and is considered unzoned land.
Notwithstanding the permissibility provisions in Table 2.2, as the project is to be assessed under Part 3A of the EP&A Act, consent under the LEPs would not be required.
2.3 Other NSW legislation approvals that may be required
In accordance with Section 75U of the EP&A Act, a number of additional approvals are not required to be obtained for a project that is approved under Part 3A of the EP&A Act. Section 75U of the EP&A Act specifies the authorisations that are not required for an ‘approved project’ under Part 3A as follows:
‘(1) The following authorisations are not required for an approved project (and accordingly the provisions of any Act that prohibit an activity without such an authority do not apply):
(a) ‘the concurrence under Part 3 of the Coastal Protection Act 1979 of the Minister administering that Part of the Act,
(b) a permit under section 201, 205 or 219 of the Fisheries Management Act 1994,
(c) an approval under Part 4, or an excavation permit under section 139, of the Heritage Act 1977,
(d) a permit under section 87 or a consent under section 90 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974,
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(c) an authorisation referred to in section 12 of the Native Vegetation Act 2003 (or under any Act to be repealed by that Act) to clear native vegetation,
(d) a permit under Part 3A of the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948,
(e) a bush fire safety authority under section 100B of the Rural Fires Act 1997,
(f) a water use approval under section 89, a water management work approval under section 90 or an activity approval under section 91 of the Water Management Act 2000.
(2) Division 8 of Part 6 of the Heritage Act 1977 does not apply to prevent or interfere with the carrying out of an approved project.’
Section 75A defines ‘approved project’ as ‘a project to the extent that it is approved by the Minister under this Part, but does not include a project for which only approval for a concept plan has been given’. Consequently, any approvals that would otherwise be needed would not be required following project approval to carry out the project under Part 3A.
In addition, with respect to a critical infrastructure project, Section 75U(3) provides that the following orders or notices cannot be made or given so as to prevent or interfere with the carrying out of an approved critical infrastructure project:
(a) ‘an interim protection order (within the meaning of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 or the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995)
(b) an order under Division 1 (Stop work orders) of Part 6A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, Division 1 (Stop work orders) of Part 7 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 or Division 7 (Stop work orders) of Part 7A of the Fisheries Management Act 1994
(b1) a remediation direction under Division 3 (Remediation directions) of Part 6A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974
(c) an environment protection notice under chapter 4 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
(d) an order under section 124 of the Local Government Act 1993.’
Under Section 75V(1) of the EP&A Act, the following relevant authorisations cannot be refused if necessary for the carrying out of an ‘approved project’ and are to be substantially consistent with an approval to carry out the project given under Part 3A:
an Environment Protection Licence under Chapter 3 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
a consent under section 138 of the Roads Act 1993 (relating to the disturbance or excavation of a public road).
Notwithstanding this, additional approvals may nevertheless be required under other NSW legislation for the construction and operation of the project, as identified in Table 2.3.
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Table 2.3 Potential additional approval requirements under NSW legislation
Legislation Relevance to project Protection of the The project involves the construction and operation of an additional Environment Operations 5.6 kilometres of railway track (as an extension to the 7.2-kilometre Act 1997 (POEO Act) existing light rail network) for a total network, when completed, of 12.8 kilometres. It would not result in a network of more than 30 kilometres of track. The project would therefore not require an Environment Protection Licence under the POEO Act. Roads Act 1993 The project is expected to involve erecting structures in, on or over (Roads Act) / Transport some public roads, as well as temporarily occupying or disturbing the Administration Act 1988 surface of some public roads. Section 104N(2) of the Transport Administration Act 1988 allows a route along a road to be declared to be the route of a light rail system. However, consent from the appropriate roads authority, being the Roads and Traffic Authority or the local council as relevant, may be required in accordance with section 138 of the Roads Act in respect of work carried out by a ‘public authority’ on a classified road. Heritage Act 1977 Transport NSW must notify the Heritage Council if a relic is uncovered during construction and if it is reasonable to believe that the Heritage Council is unaware of the location of the relic.
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3. Community and stakeholder engagement
This chapter summarises the stakeholder and community consultation before and during the preparation of this environmental assessment (EA). The chapter outlines the consultation program, including consultation methods, and a list of the stakeholders and government agencies consulted.
The chapter also provides an overview of the key issues raised by government agencies, local councils, stakeholders and the community and, where relevant, how these concerns have been addressed through the design of the project and/or in the EA process.
DGRs Where addressed in the EA Consultation The environmental assessment must demonstrate that an appropriate and justified level of consultation with relevant stakeholders occurred during the preparation of the environmental assessment, including (but not limited to) . local, State or Commonwealth government Section 3.3 and Table 3.1 authorities including: Department of Planning (Heritage Branch); Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water; Leichhardt, Marrickville, Ashfield and Canterbury Councils . service and infrastructure providers including: Section 3.2.2and Table 3.1 NSW Roads and Traffic Authority; State Transit Authority; RailCorp; Metro Transport Sydney; . specialist interest groups including the GreenWay Section 3.2.3 and Table 3.2 Sustainability Project Steering Committee, and Local Aboriginal Land Councils; and . the public, including adjoining and affected Section 3.4 landowners and businesses. The environmental assessment must describe the Sections 3.2, 3.4 and 3.5 consultation process undertaken and identify the issues raised (including where these have been addressed in the document).
The community and stakeholder consultation by Transport NSW while preparing the EA has built upon the existing and ongoing consultation process in place since the announcement of its inclusion in the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Transport Plan in February 2010.
The consultation strategy was designed to meet the Director General’s Requirements (DGRs), inform the community about the project and encourage participation to allow project development to benefit from local knowledge. Further consultation would take place during the public exhibition period (refer to Section 3.4).
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3.1 Consultation objectives
The objectives of the consultation activities during the development phase of the project and the EA’s preparation have been to:
introduce Transport NSW and members of the wider project team to the community
continue to build awareness of the project, the planning approval process and develop long-term relationships with key stakeholders in the area
explain the key issues associated with the project
facilitate community feedback on potential and current impacts and issues
engage the community as an active partner and consider community input into the EA process
communicate project milestones and ensure the community and stakeholders are well informed about the process for raising issues and/or making a submission about the project.
A variety of communication methods and tools were employed to achieve the consultation objectives, which are described further in Section 3.2.
3.2 Consultation activities
In October 2009, a Light Rail Extension Study Steering Committee was formed, which included Ashfield, Leichhardt, Marrickville and City of Sydney councils, the Department of Planning and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority. Transport NSW commissioned consultants GHD to prepare a study on the proposed extension of the Sydney Light Rail — Inner West.
The study produced the draft Inner West Extension Study (GHD 2010a), which considered costs, demand, technical issues, possible stop locations, integration with land use and other types of transport, and economic factors. The Steering Committee oversaw the work. Other government agencies that contributed to the committee’s work included the Department of Planning, the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and RailCorp.
The draft Inner West Extension Study (GHD 2010) was released by Transport NSW for public comment from 17 May to 7 June 2010. The report was posted on the Transport NSW website and copies distributed to council libraries. Advertisements inviting comment were placed in local newspapers. During this public comment period, 55,000 hits were made on the light rail page on the Transport NSW website (www.transport.nsw.gov.au) and close to 400 submissions and comments made.
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During the public comment period, a number of other consultation activities took place, including meetings between Transport NSW and:
Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville councils
NSW Environment Trust
The GreenWay Steering Committee
The GreenWay Sustainability Project team members
NSW Commuter Council
EcoTransit Sydney
Friends of the GreenWay
Inner West Environment Group (IWEG)
various bicycle user groups
Sydney Light Rail Inner West Extension Liaison Group (including representatives from Ashfield Council, Leichhardt Council and Marrickville Council, RTA, the GreenWay Steering Committee, the GreenWay Sustainability Project team and RailCorp).
Submissions received via the email addresses and feedback from the other consultation activities were summarised and presented in the Sydney Light Rail Inner West Extension Stakeholder Comments Report on the Draft Inner West Extension Study (GHD 2010b). In summary, approximately 97% of submissions received explicitly supported the project and/or outlined matters for further consideration, such as including a cycleway, providing bike facilities, location of stops, ticketing and potential road traffic and parking impacts (GHD 2010a).
Further details on the key issues raised during this consultation period are presented in the GHD Stakeholder Comments report, which is accessible on the Transport NSW website. The report findings are not repeated in this section.
Since the public comment period closed, local residents and other stakeholders have been kept informed of the project via an established light rail extension page on the Transport NSW website, community update newsletters provided via letterbox drops, advertisements in local papers, media releases, emails and community information sessions.
Local residents and other stakeholders have been able to raise concerns or provide feedback via a dedicated email address ([email protected]) or telephone line (1800 636 910) that was established for the project.
Stakeholder and community feedback was considered in preparing the Project Definition Report (Transport NSW 2010b) and Preliminary Environmental Assessment for the Sydney Light Rail Extension – Inner West (Transport NSW 2010a). These documents were lodged with Planning NSW on 19 July 2010 and made available on the Transport NSW website. A media release was issued and key stakeholders notified that the project scope would include the GreenWay shared path.
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The following tools and activities were used while preparing the EA to give the community a range of methods to engage with the project team and contribute to the project’s development.
3.2.1 Contact and feedback mechanisms
Project contact details were maintained from the pre-EA preparation phase. These details were included on all written communications distributed to the community. They included:
project information line: 1800 636 910
email: [email protected]
postal address: Transport NSW, PO Box Q286, QVB Post Office NSW 1230
website: www.transport.nsw.gov.au. This website is updated regularly and to-date has received over 100,000 hits.
Details of community members and stakeholders who made contact with the project team, matters raised and responses have been recorded in the project database. More than 1,000 interested parties have been registered to date.
3.2.2 Government authority and agency meetings
Government authorities and agencies were consulted before and throughout the EA preparation. Many of the agencies were consulted through the Steering Committee, with a number consulted on a one-on-one basis as required.
Meetings of the Light Rail Steering Committee were held on 17 May, 17 June, 19 July and 26 August, 2010.
Throughout the EA process and concept design progression, there has been ongoing communications and consultation with Metro Transport Sydney.
Table 3.1 summarises consultation activities to date and the purpose of the activity.
Table 3.1 Summary of government authority and agency consultation
Purpose of consultation Government agency consulted Date of consultation activity Department of Environment, Climate 15 June 2010 Meetings with DECCW to Change and Water (DECCW) 12 August 2010 discuss ecology and noise assessment criteria and proposed assessment methodology Department of Planning (Major Ongoing To discuss EA approach Projects Team) Department of Planning (Heritage 15 September 2010 Meeting to discuss project Branch) overview and main heritage issues NSW Environment Trust 7 June 2010 Meeting to discuss GreenWay shared path
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Purpose of consultation Government agency consulted Date of consultation activity RTA 1 July 2010 Meeting to discuss bike 23 August 2010 paths Meeting to discuss urban design issues and principles 26 August 2010 Consultation as part of the 30 September 2010 Sydney Light Rail Inner West Extension Liaison Group RailCorp 26 August 2010 Consultation as part of the 30 September 2010 Sydney Light Rail Inner West Extension Liaison Group Ongoing Project development and heavy rail integration State Transit Authority (STA) 30 September 2010 Project development and Ongoing meeting to discuss bus stop locations and interchange facilities at each stop location Sydney Water 24 August 2010 Interaction of the project with Hawthorne Canal Independent Transport Safety and August 2010 To discuss safety approvals Reliability Regulator (ITSRR) and requirements Marrickville Council 10 August 2010 Meetings to discuss overall 19 August 2010 project and traffic and transport 26 August 2010 Consultation as part of the 30 September 2010 Sydney Light Rail Inner West Extension Liaison Group Leichhardt Municipal Council 18 August 2010 Meeting to discuss traffic and transport
26 August 2010 Consultation as part of the 30 September 2010 Sydney Light Rail Inner West Extension Liaison Group Ashfield Council 25 May 2010 Council and community 1 June 2010 meetings to update project and discuss EA process 26 August 2010 Consultation as part of the 30 September 2010 Sydney Light Rail Inner West Extension Liaison Group Canterbury Council 28 September 2010 Meetings to discuss overall project including linkages and crossing of Cooks River
3.2.3 Other stakeholder meetings
Stakeholders (non-government) have been consulted throughout the EA preparation. Table 3.2 summarises the consultation activities and the purpose of the activity.
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Table 3.2 Summary of stakeholder consultation
Purpose of consultation Stakeholder consulted Date of consultation activity Bike user groups 2 July 2010 Project update providing overview of concept drawings EcoTransit 21 May 2010 Develop project concept and 15 June 2010 site inspection 13 August 2010 GreenWay Steering Committee 21 May 2010 Develop GreenWay concept, (included Friends of the GreenWay 4 June 2010 including walking, cycling and and the Inner West Environment bushcare aspects (includes Group) 8 June 2010 on-site inspections in the 16 June 2010 corridor, workshops and 17 June 2010 project update providing overview of concept 24 June 2010 drawings) 2 August 2010 5 August 2010 NSW Commuter Council 8 June 2010 Project outline and update Haberfield Association 25 May 2010 Local issues 1 June 2010 Marion Street Light Rail Committee 25 May 2010 Local issues 1 June 2010 28 August 2010 Darug Aboriginal Cultural Heritage 19 August 2010 Site inspection to determine Assessment sites of Aboriginal heritage September 2010 Review of draft Aboriginal Assessment Report Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land 19 August 2010 Site inspection to determine Council sites of Aboriginal heritage September 2010 Review of draft Aboriginal Assessment Report Metro Transport Sydney Ongoing consultation Design and operation of light from May 2010 rail
3.2.4 Newsletters
Two newsletters called Community update: light rail extension – Inner West Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill were distributed to inform residents, stakeholders and other community members about the project in June and August–September.
The newsletters identified the track maintenance works under way in the corridor that are separate to this EA and have been approved under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The newsletters also detailed the inclusion of GreenWay shared path into the scope of the project.
The newsletters were distributed via letterbox drop to 12,500 properties close to the rail corridor.
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3.2.5 Advertisements
Advertisements were placed in the following local newspapers in early August to inform the community about the trackworks, and later in mid–late August to encourage community attendance at the August–September 2010 community information sessions:
Inner West Courier
Ciao Magazine.
3.2.6 Community information sessions
Three community information sessions were held during the EA’s preparation. An information card was distributed via letterbox drop to 20,000 local residents to inform them of the community information sessions and also provide a brief description of the project and a timeline of where the project was in the planning stages.
Properties close to the corridor received targeted invitations to the community information sessions.
An email notification of the community information sessions was sent to 550 stakeholders registered in the project contact and issues database. A media release was also issued on 24 August 2010 advising the community of the upcoming information sessions.
The sessions were also promoted via the GreenWay e-newsletter and website.
The sessions were held to provide an overview of the project and give the community an opportunity to ask questions of the project team and for the project team to receive feedback. The project acoustic specialists were also present to discuss the project and answer specific noise- and vibration-related questions.
The first session was held on Thursday 26 August 2010 at the Art Est School, Leichhardt from 6 pm to 9 pm and was attended by about 50 community members.
The second session was held on Saturday 28 August at the Haberfield Centre, Haberfield from 10 am to 1 pm and was attended by close to 100 community members.
The third session was held on Saturday 4 September at the Dulwich Hill Public School, Kintore Street, Dulwich Hill from 11 am to 2 pm and was attended by 180 community members.
At the community information sessions, community members were invited to fill out feedback forms with any issues or suggestions for consideration.
3.2.7 Project information handouts
Two project information handouts were made available during the community information sessions in August–September 2010.
Inner West Light Rail Extension — the path to planning approval for the Light Rail Extension — Inner West Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill (August–September 2010). This explained the project had been declared critical infrastructure, and outlined the environmental assessment, project approval process and ways to provide input.
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Inner West Light Rail Extension (August/September 2010). This brochure provided more detailed information on the project, including stop locations and designs, the GreenWay shared path, track work and the EA process.
3.2.8 Aboriginal community consultation
A notice of Aboriginal consultation was placed in the Inner West Courier on 29 July 2010, inviting Aboriginal stakeholders with a cultural knowledge of the area to register an interest in being consulted for the project. No responses were received. Refer to Section 17.2 for more information about consultation with Aboriginal groups.
3.2.9 One to one contact with residents
The project team has been available to discuss issues one-on-one with residents as points of concern have arisen. The project team has held phone discussion and/or on-site meetings with residents of Bedford Crescent, Weston Street, Channel Street, Davis Street, Marion Street and Hercules Street to hear and better understand particular concerns and suggestions.
3.3 Summary of stakeholder, government agency and community issues and concerns
Issues raised by agencies, stakeholders and the community have been considered and addressed throughout the EA’s preparation. The issues raised have informed the specialist studies for the project and have been considered and addressed in the EA. The issues raised by agencies, stakeholders and the community are detailed in Table 3.3 and Table 3.4, respectively
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Table 3.3 Key issues raised by government authorities and agencies during the EA preparation phase
Government authority Where addressed in the Key issue Specific issues or agency environmental assessment DECCW Noise and vibration . Noise and vibration criteria should be consistent with the criteria adopted for the Section 11.1 existing light rail, outlined in the Inner West Light Rail Extension activity approval Technical Paper 2 dated 3 March 1999 Department of Planning Heritage . Heritage items affected by the project Chapter 11 (Heritage Branch) Technical Paper 3 Sydney Water Flooding impacts . Flooding impacts on the Hawthorne Canal near the Waratah Mills site if the Section 17.2 resulting from building alternative schemes, including the GreenWay shared path in the rail corridor instead near assets of on-street on Weston Street . Ensure pedestrian bridge over Hawthorne Canal near Hawthorne stop is designed to Section 17.2 not impact on flooding extents upstream RTA Project design . Public transport, pedestrian and cyclist impacts and potential impacts on the road Section 10.2.1 network require further assessment Technical Paper 1 Marrickville Council, Traffic and access . Potential traffic and parking issues surrounding each stop Section 10.5.4 Ashfield Council and . Technical Paper 1 Leichhardt Municipal Pedestrian and cycle access to each stop Council Design . Concerns of local residents about the location of the proposed Waratah Mills stop; Section 6. the proposed detour along Weston Street and the location of the Dulwich Hill Section 6.4 and Section 14.3 Interchange; potential privacy and security issues
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Table 3.4 Key issues raised by stakeholders (non-government) and the community during the EA preparation phase
Where addressed in the Key issue Specific issue raised environmental assessment Parking impacts . Potential impact on resident parking from light rail users driving to the stops and parking on Section 10.5.4 local streets Technical Paper 1 . Need for residential parking provisions . Provide additional light rail user parking facilities. Traffic and access impacts . Increase in traffic generation with light rail users driving to the stops Section 10.3 Technical Paper 1 Noise . Noise impacts from the light rail operations Section 11.3.4 . Potential need for noise walls to address noise impacts Amenity . Having the GreenWay shared path on-street cycleway at Weston Street would reduce the Section 11.4 amenity (noise and visual) of the street Section 14.5 . Potential loss of amenity (noise and visual) on Bedford Crescent due to the location of the Dulwich Hill Interchange Safety . GreenWay shared path should be only in rail corridor and not on-street on Weston Street; Section 6.3 and 6.4 safety concerns for pedestrians and residents accessing their vehicles and cyclists using the Section 14.5 GreenWay shared path on-street cycleway . Safety between users on the GreenWay shared path facility, i.e. pedestrians/cyclists/dogs . Safety for pedestrians accessing the light rail stops . CCTV and lighting Reduction in resident privacy . Residents whose properties are along the corridor may have less privacy, which was Section 14.5 highlighted where the GreenWay shared path passes close to the back of properties Ecology . There would be fewer bush care sites and trees lost Section 13.3 . Habitat loss would occur when accommodating the GreenWay shared path Technical Paper 4 . Impacts to fauna in and around corridor
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Where addressed in the Key issue Specific issue raised environmental assessment Design . Stop location, selection and suitability (Marion Street, Waratah Mills, Arlington and Dulwich Hill Section 5.1 Interchange) . Water sensitive urban design Section 13.3.2 . Community art opportunities Section 14.6.2 The scope of the project is . GreenWay shared path extensions and connections beyond scope of project defined in Chapter 6. Land use . Land use potential and area regeneration Chapter 9 . Interaction of project with existing recreational areas Socio-economic . Impact on social amenity Section 17.1. . Negative impact on property value Technical Paper 6 . Neighbourhood connectivity Consultation . Adequacy of the consultation process Section 3 Construction works . Negative impacts for local residents – traffic, noise, air quality etc. Each key issue and other issue Chapter addresses the potential construction impacts from the project and recommends mitigation measures. Chapters 9–16 and Chapter 17 Indigenous heritage . Adequacy of consultation with the Aboriginal community Technical Paper 3 Section 17.2 Operation of the light rail . Ticketing – costs and potential for integrated system Section 6.6
. Future patronage – project need Section 4.1.1 . Frequency of service Section 6.6.1 . Stop facilities – toilets, ramp provisions, waste management Section 6.2 . Ownership, governance and maintenance of the asset Section 1.4.2
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3.4 Public exhibition of the EA — the next steps
The EA will be exhibited for a minimum of 30 days during October and November 2010. During the exhibition period, Transport NSW will further consult the community and stakeholders to inform them about the EA’s exhibition and provide information to allow them to make informed comments in their submissions on the report and/or the project to the Development of Planning.
3.4.1 Community engagement activities
Public displays
During the exhibition period, public display locations would be established and will include a copy of the EA documentation, posters incorporating details of the proposed project design, and project update newsletters. Displays will be located in all relevant local council areas and at the Transport NSW and Department of Planning offices (open during working hours).
Community information sessions
Three community information sessions will be held during the EA exhibition period. The information sessions will provide members of the community with the opportunity to engage with members of the project team about the project.
Members of the project team will staff the community information sessions. Copies of the EA, posters and newsletters will be provided to help stimulate discussion between members of the community and the project team.
People will be notified about the community information sessions through an information flyer distributed to 20,000 properties close to the rail corridor, by email, in advertisements in local papers and a media release.
Newsletter
To promote the EA exhibition, a newsletter will be distributed to local residents, government agencies and councils, and other relevant stakeholders. Advertisements will also be placed in local and state newspapers to announce the EA’s display. The advertisements will provide details of the exhibition and community information sessions, including dates, locations and opening hours, and will invite property owners and members of the community to write submissions in response to the EA. The relevant contact details for lodging a submission will be included in the letters and the advertisements and are detailed further in Section 21.2.
Project information line and website
Details of the project information line and project website will be included in all documents to allow members of the community to find more information about the project, exhibition period and how to make a submission.
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3.4.2 Submissions report
At the conclusion of the exhibition period, submissions received by the Department of Planning will be forwarded to Transport NSW for consideration. After reviewing all submissions, Transport NSW will prepare a submissions report that documents the submissions and Transport NSW’s response to them. The submissions report would be publicly available on the Transport NSW website and the Department of Planning website.
In the event that design changes are required in response to submissions, these would be documented in the report and any new impacts assessed. In the event that these design changes are substantial, a preferred project report may be required by Department of Planning. Additional consultation may be required if a preferred project report is required.
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4. Strategic and project justification
This chapter discusses the strategic justification for the project and the project justification in accordance with the Director-General’s requirements (DGRs).
DGRs Where addressed in the EA Strategic justification — Describe the strategic need, justification, objectives for the Section 1.2 and 4.1 project including its consistency with the aims and objectives of relevant State policies and publications, such as the NSW State Plan, Sydney Metropolitan Strategy, Metropolitan Transport Plan, NSW Bike Plan, NSW Greenhouse Plan and Action for Air. Project justification — Identify alternatives to the preferred project considered, Section 4.2, Chapters 5 and 20 justify the project taking into consideration the objects of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
4.1 Strategic justification
4.1.1 Strategic need
Sydney’s population is expanding at a rapid rate and is expected to reach six million by 2036 (Department of Planning 2010). This rate of growth represents a significant upwards shift in population projections since the publication of the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy (Department of Planning 2005). The existing population places considerable pressure on the transport (road, rail and bus) network and infrastructure and, as a result, there is already a need to improve Sydney’s transport network capacity, efficiency and reliability in order to respond to and accommodate the projected population growth.
The extension of the existing light rail system has been identified in the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy Review (Department of Planning 2010) and Metropolitan Transport Plan (NSW Government 2010) as a key element within Sydney’s improved transport network to respond to and assist in accommodating population growth in a sustainable manner.
Furthermore, the area traversed by the proposed project is undergoing housing and population growth, which includes the renewal of some former industrial sites for medium and high-density residential and employment uses. It is estimated that an additional 770,000 new homes are required in Sydney by 2036. The draft Inner West and South Subregional Strategies (Department of Planning 2008) set targets for providing at least 8,150 new dwellings by 2031 in the three local government areas through which the project traverses.
4.1.2 Consistency with State policies and publications
A number of State and regional planning documents are relevant to the project, including:
NSW State Plan (2010)
Sydney Metropolitan Strategy (2005)
Metropolitan Strategy Review — Sydney Towards 2036 Discussion Paper (2010)
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Metropolitan Transport Plan (2010)
NSW Bike Plan (2010)
NSW Greenhouse Plan (2005)
Action for Air (2009)
Draft Inner West Subregional Strategy (2008)
Draft South Subregional Strategy (2007)
Ashfield Towards 2010 (Strategic Plan)
Leichhardt 2020+ Strategic Plan
Marrickville Council Strategic Plan 2006–2011.
The strategic context established by these planning documents, and their relevance to the project, are outlined below.
NSW State Plan (2010)
In March 2010 the NSW State Plan was released (NSW Government 2010b), with the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy, this provides the overall framework for managing Sydney’s growth and development. The NSW State Plan establishes the following objectives for NSW:
better transport and liveable cities — a world-class, safe, reliable and integrated transport network, and cities/towns with a high quality of life
supporting business and jobs — economic growth, supporting jobs and attracting business investment
clever State — education, skills, research and innovation
healthy communities — improve and maintain access to quality health care, promote healthy lifestyles
green State — clean energy, protection of the natural environment and climate change
stronger communities — supporting disadvantaged communities and vulnerable citizens
keeping people safe — police and justice system.
Under the objective ‘better transport and liveable cities’ the NSW State Plan refers to improving the public transport system as one of its key objectives, including increasing the share of commuter trips made by public transport to and from Sydney CBD during peak hours to 80% by 2016 and increasing the proportion of total journeys to work by public transport in the Sydney metropolitan region to 28% by 2016.
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To achieve the nominated targets, the NSW State Plan lists a series of projects that the NSW Government will invest in to improve the transport network’s capacity, efficiency and reliability by providing increased opportunities for modal interchanges with existing heavy rail and bus services within the Inner West subregion. Specifically, the NSW State Plan nominates ‘expansion of light rail with 4.1 kilometres of light rail from Circular Quay to Haymarket and 5.6 kilometres from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill’ as key to meeting the above target.
The project would also assist in meeting the ‘healthy communities’ and ‘green State’ objectives by promoting healthy lifestyles through the inclusion of the GreenWay shared path, which would encourage sustainable travel with a greater use of active transport within the area as well as promoting clean energy and the protection of the natural environment.
Sydney Metropolitan Strategy (2005)
The Metropolitan Strategy, City of Cities — A Plan for Sydney’s Future (Department of Planning 2005) provides a regional planning and development framework to manage Sydney’s growth and development up to 2031. The main aims of the strategy are:
to provide stronger cities and centres around residential developments
to increase and concentrate jobs in western Sydney and along the global economic corridor
to ensure that access to a diversity of housing, jobs, services and open space is more equally distributed
to safeguard resource lands
to improve environmental outcomes
to improve transport connections.
The Sydney Metropolitan Strategy provides objectives for the greater Sydney metropolitan region to meet these aims. Two of the key actions for transport are to ‘extend transport networks to serve growth’ (Action D1.2) and to ‘improve the integration of public transport’ (Action D2.3). Improvement of interchanges and integration of light rail with other existing transport is identified as one method of meeting these aims.
The project described in this environmental assessment (EA) would facilitate the construction and operation of a key piece of infrastructure aimed at improving transport opportunities, connections and reliability between several Inner West communities. The project would also assist in serving the greater Sydney metropolitan region in accordance with the Metropolitan Strategy through the connection of the project with the existing CityRail networks along the Inner West and Bankstown rail lines.
Metropolitan Strategy Review — Sydney Towards 2036 (2010)
In March 2010, the State Government announced a review of the 2005 Sydney Metropolitan Strategy to ensure that the aims and objectives of the 2005 Metropolitan Strategy are kept up to date and relevant and responsive to Sydney’s current context. The review aimed to assess revised growth forecasts expectations and issues that have emerged since the release of the Metropolitan Strategy in 2005.
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Sydney’s population is now forecast to reach six million by 2036 — an increase of 1.7 million since the last census in 2006. This increase is expected to result in approximately 760,000 additional jobs and approximately 770,000 additional homes being needed above 2006 levels. This growth would have significant implications for transport and infrastructure.
The Metropolitan Strategy Review (2010) identifies the expansion of the current light rail system (Stages 1 and 2) as key elements of the Metropolitan Transport Plan (2010) (discussed in more detail below), which build on the key elements of transportation identified in the 2005 Sydney Metropolitan Strategy. The project would contribute to achieving the themes outlined in the Metropolitan Strategy Review. In particular, it would obtain best value from investment in transport infrastructure by integrating land use planning through the provision of one of the key projects identified in the Metropolitan Transport Plan.
Metropolitan Transport Plan (2010)
The Metropolitan Transport Plan — Connecting the City of Cities (NSW Government 2010a) was released by the NSW Government in February 2010. The main focus of the plan is to effectively link Sydney's land use planning with its transport network. The Metropolitan Transport Plan forms a key component of the revision of the Sydney Metropolitan Strategy to further strengthen the planning framework, and have a sustainable plan for meeting the housing and employment growth challenges. The plan outlines the NSW Government’s ten- year funded priority program for improving Sydney’s transport network.
The Metropolitan Transport Plan sets out the NSW Government’s direction on light rail in Sydney, based on providing a sustainable transport mode connecting key destinations and interchange locations in Sydney’s CBD and Inner West. The plan identifies two separate extensions to the existing Lilyfield to Central light rail system as follows:
from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill (Stage 1)
from Haymarket to Circular Quay and Barangaroo (Stage 2).
These two extensions are shown in Figure 1.1 in Chapter 1.
NSW Bike Plan (2010)
The NSW Bike Plan was released in May 2010 (NSW Government 2010c). The plan focuses on the delivery of new cycling infrastructure to transform cycling and to encourage people to ride safely and more often in NSW. It has been prepared with the Metropolitan Transport Plan.
The plan prioritises a Dulwich Hill to Lilyfield cycleway as one of 13 major missing links within the metropolitan bike network (referred to in the plan as ‘major missing link K’) and is intended to be provided parallel to the ‘light rail western extension corridor’. The overall proposed Sydney metropolitan bike network is shown in Figure 4.1.
The pedestrian and cycle GreenWay shared path component of the project, as expressed in this EA, is consistent with the NSW Bike Plan proposal for a cycle link between Dulwich Hill and Lilyfield parallel to the light rail western extension corridor. A combined light rail and pedestrian and cycle corridor would support the NSW Bike Plan target of 5% travel by bike for all trips in Sydney of less than 10 kilometres by 2016.
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Figure 4.1 Proposed Metro Sydney bike network Source: NSW Government. New South Wales Bike Plan. May 2010c. Sydney Light Rail Extension — Stage 1 — Inner West Extension Environmental Assessment
NSW Greenhouse Plan (2005)
The NSW Greenhouse Plan (NSW Greenhouse Office 2005) is the current NSW Government policy providing actions for managing climate change within NSW. The NSW Greenhouse Plan notes that transport (air, sea and land) account for approximately 15% of NSW total greenhouse gas emissions.
The NSW Greenhouse Plan provides the NSW Government with a series of actions to be taken with the ultimate aim of reducing greenhouse emissions across NSW. The objectives of the plan are to:
increase awareness among those expected to be most affected by the impacts of climate change
begin to develop adaptation strategies for those climate change impacts that we cannot avoid
put NSW on track to meet its targets of limiting 2025 emissions to 2000 levels and reducing emissions by 60% by 2060.
In order to meet these objectives, the plan establishes a set of actions including:
raising community awareness about the climate change challenge
facilitating adaptation to climate change impacts
reducing or abating greenhouse gas emissions, through a series of specific actions.
The plan specifically identifies the provision and development of ‘a clean green energy future’ and ‘better transport solutions’ as key actions for meeting the objectives of the plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project would help to meet both of these objectives by providing an alternative, frequent-transport option for journeys within the Inner West which would assist in limiting transport emissions from private vehicles while maximising transport choice, including active travel (walking and cycling) alternatives.
Action for Air (2009)
Action for Air (DECCW 2009) represents the NSW Government's air quality management plan for the greater metropolitan region for the next 25 years. The plan covers the Sydney, Lower Hunter and Illawarra regions of NSW. Action for Air contains a series of measures to reduce emissions from major industry, small business, individual homes and transport origins with the aim of controlling ozone (photochemical smog) and particle pollution.
Five key objectives within Action for Air have been identified to meet the goal of improving the existing air quality of the greater metropolitan region:
reduce motor vehicle emissions
make businesses even cleaner
make homes and local environments even cleaner, healthier and more liveable
target particle pollution in regional NSW
communicate and educate about air quality.
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The most significant objective within Action for Air is the reduction of motor vehicle emissions, which includes the improvement and influence of improved transport choices and reduction in overall vehicle usage. The project is considered consistent with these aims.
Draft Inner West Subregional Strategy (2008)
The Inner West subregion of Sydney is located adjacent to the Sydney City and West Central subregions. The Inner West subregion covers the five LGAs of Ashfield, Burwood, Canada Bay, Leichhardt and Strathfield. The subregion is highly influenced by its central location between two of Sydney’s primary centres — Sydney City CBD and the emerging Parramatta CBD — and incorporates a number of the main corridors for east–west movements between these two centres.
In July 2008, the Draft Inner West Subregional Strategy (NSW Government 2008) was exhibited by the NSW Government. The Strategy identifies seven key actions for the Inner West subregion to guide strategic and land use planning up to 2031. These seven key actions are:
support and differentiate the role of strategic centres
protect employment lands
promote Parramatta Road as an enterprise corridor
improve housing choice and create liveable and sustainable communities
manage traffic growth and local travel demand
protect and promote recreational pursuits and environmental assets
celebrate cultural diversity.
The project would assist in meeting a number of these key actions. With respect to promoting Parramatta Road as an enterprise corridor, the project would increase opportunities for access to potential employment sources along the Parramatta Road corridor within the Inner West. This would primarily be achieved through the location of a new light rail stop at Taverners Hill providing direct rail access to employment opportunities along this section of Parramatta Road. The increased opportunity for access to this corridor particularly form the north and south would help promote Parramatta Road as an enterprise and employment hub with a number of public transport access options.
With respect to managing traffic growth, the draft Strategy explicitly recognises the need to investigate options to improve pedestrian and cycleway linkages across the subregion. The integration of the proposed GreenWay shared path with the light rail extension between Lilyfield and Dulwich Hill would be critical in improving pedestrian and cycleway linkages within the subregion.
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Additionally, the development of the GreenWay shared path project across three local government areas (LGAs) (two of which are part of the Inner West subregion) would support the key action of protecting and promoting recreational pursuits and environmental assets within the subregion. Specifically, the integration of existing and potential bushcare sites as part of the project would improve access to waterways and link bushland, parks and centres within the overall subregion.
Draft South Subregional Strategy (2007)
The South subregion of Sydney is surrounded by the Inner West, South West, Sydney City, East and West Central subregions. The South subregion covers the six LGAs of Marrickville, Canterbury, Hurstville, Kogarah, Sutherland and Rockdale. In December 2007, the Draft South Subregional Strategy (NSW Government 2007) was exhibited by the NSW Government. Similar to the Inner West Subregional Strategy, the South Subregional Strategy identifies nine key actions for the South subregion to guide strategic and land use planning up to 2031. Key actions in the Strategy relevant to the project are:
retain strategic employment lands
identify and investigate renewal areas for the south
recognise diversity across the subregion
protect scenic, heritage and environmental assets of the subregion.
The project would assist in meeting some of these key actions. With respect to retaining strategic employment lands, the project would generally be provided within a disused rail corridor, open space or within the local road network. As such, the project would not impact on any existing areas of employment lands which can be retained for future use (and possible integration with the project).
Additionally, the GreenWay shared path component of the project would support the action to protect scenic, heritage and environmental assets of the subregion.
Ashfield Towards 2010
Ashfield Council has adopted a strategic plan to guide Council’s planning, environmental and operational activities between 2006 and 2010. Ashfield Towards 2010 outlines Council's goals and objectives for the Ashfield community as well as Council's visions and strategic objectives across seven key areas.
Of importance to the project is the vision for transport and accessibility within the Ashfield LGA. The vision for transport and accessibility includes providing for the community:
a high level of pedestrian and bicycle safety and amenity and access to efficient urban transport services including excellent inter-modal transfer points
adequate transport access and provision of cycling facilities and parking areas to encourage both cycle and public transport usage and support commercial, retail and civic areas.
The provision of the proposed GreenWay shared path and integration with the extension of the light rail from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill would be a crucial element that would help to achieve the overall vision of the Ashfield Towards 2010 strategic plan.
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Leichhardt 2020+ Strategic Plan
The Leichhardt 2020+ Strategic Plan (Leichhardt Council 2007) establishes a planning framework with the aim of creating a sustainable and liveable community for the Leichhardt LGA. The plan includes six key service areas including ‘accessibility’ and ‘a sustainable environment’ which are of particular relevance to the project.
One of the overarching themes within the strategic plan is the integration of transport and improvement in accessibility within the LGA thereby reducing dependency on private vehicles and impacts on local communities and the environment. This theme is consistent with the objectives of the project, which aims to provide both accessible and integrated transport options for the local communities of the Inner West.
The consideration of existing bushcare sites and allocation of additional sites for future regeneration is also in keeping with the overall aim of the Leichhardt 2020+ Strategic Plan.
Marrickville Council Strategic Plan 2006–2011 (2006)
The Marrickville Council Strategic Plan 2006–2011 (Marrickville Council 2006) outlines the community's vision and key principles. The plan’s key objectives are centred on five key themes including ‘beautifying and caring for our environment’ and ‘guided development and sustainable transport’, which are of particular relevance to the project.
Similar to Leichhardt 2020+, the Marrickville plan considers the importance of the integration of transport and improvement in accessibility within the LGA and, hence, reduced dependency on private vehicles. This is consistent with the aims of the project, which would provide accessible and integrated transport for a number of the local communities within the Inner West whilst improving the natural biodiversity of the local area.
4.2 Project justification
4.2.1 Alternatives to the project
Additional transport alternatives for a new corridor or road are not considered feasible or reasonable within the Inner West area. The project represents an opportunity to assist in improving Sydney’s transport network and the only alternative to the project is the ‘do- nothing’ alternative. Alternatives within the project, such as for stop locations, GreenWay shared path alignment and other infrastructure options are discussed in Chapter 5.
The ‘do-nothing’ alternative
This alternative would leave the disused Rozelle goods line corridor in its current state and would not provide additional sustainable and reliable transport alternatives to Sydney’s Inner West. This option would result in exacerbating the pressure on the existing transport network in the area, especially as its population grows. This option would also not allow for an improvement in the pedestrian and cycle path network in this region.
The ‘do-nothing’ alternative would not meet the NSW Government’s and local councils’ policies and strategy for transport improvement. The best option for providing sustainable and reliable transport within the Inner West is to construct and operate the project.
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4.2.2 Key project benefits
Social, environmental and economic benefits
The project would bring a range of social, environmental and economic benefits that would support the NSW Government’s long-term vision for Sydney. The key benefits would include:
encourage sustainable travel with greater use of public and active transport, which in turn would reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions
create a new orbital route through the Inner West, directly linking a series of neighbourhoods and the CBD
improve the integration of public transport networks by linking existing radial corridors
improve connections from the Inner West to major centres and to popular visitor destinations such as Pyrmont, Glebe and the Sydney Fish Markets
unlock the social, environmental and economic value of a disused transport corridor
enhance urban connectivity between communities on either side of the rail corridor by providing new access paths across the corridor
allow interchange with a number of existing bus routes at or close to Norton Street, Marion Street, Parramatta Road, Old Canterbury Road, New Canterbury Road, and Old Canterbury Road, and at Dulwich Hill Railway Station (Wardell Road)
provide growing communities with a safe, clean, quiet and reliable transport service that is environmentally friendly, easy to access and unaffected by road traffic delays
provide increased recreational activity infrastructure through the provision of the GreenWay shared path between the Cooks River and Iron Cove; this infrastructure would encourage healthier lifestyles and more sustainable travel options
dedicate some new bushcare sites and retaining existing sites along the corridor, which would promote fauna habitat, increased connectivity of vegetated communities and community involvement
support improved local amenity whilst preserving the historical and green character of the corridor
provide an opportunity over time to re-orientate existing land uses around light rail, which has historically proven to be an effective catalyst for renewal of urban spaces.
Various sites near the project corridor have already experienced localised infill renewal development, such as the Waratah Mills site and new medium density development south of New Canterbury Road at Dulwich Hill. Urban renewal proposals have also been put forward for the Summer Hill Mills site (former Mungo Scott Mills) and the adjoining site to the east of the corridor at this location (McGill Street Precinct, Lewisham).
The project would allow for the integration of these sites to improve local community connections, provide public and active transport access alternatives and decrease car dependency within the Inner West.
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Benefits of using the disused rail line corridor
As the corridor has previously been used as a heavy goods freight railway, the project would be able to be introduced at a lower cost and construction impact than if the rail line were not in place. Benefits of using the existing corridor for the project include:
the rail infrastructure is already in place and would allow for reduced construction timeframes and materials consumption. This would result in overall environmental benefits, including reduced noise, waste, traffic and carbon emissions
the corridor is currently disused, and so would not result in the consumption of land currently in beneficial active use
the corridor is an existing feature of the neighbourhoods through which the project would operate and is an opportunity for neighbourhoods to be connected with each other and to the corridor itself
the corridor for the project is almost entirely owned by the NSW state government, thus avoiding the need for assembly of land under multiple ownership (including the need for compulsory acquisition of land under private ownership)
minimal additional land outside the corridor is required as the light rail would operate largely within the existing corridor. Additionally, a large proportion of the existing corridor is sufficiently wide to accommodate the pedestrian and cycle GreenWay shared path component of the project and proposed bushcare vegetation regeneration sites.
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