GOVERNMENT SUBMISSIONS CHAPTER SIX Sydney Metro | Chatswood to Sydenham Submissions and Preferred Infrastructure Report 115 116 Sydney Metro | Chatswood to Sydenham Submissions and Preferred Infrastructure Report 6 Government submissions This chapter provides responses to issues raised by government agencies and local councils. 6.1 UrbanGrowth NSW and Land & Housing Corporation UrbanGrowth NSW and the Department of Family and Community Services (Land and Housing Corporation Directorate) provided a joint submission. The submission is supportive of the project on the basis that the proposed metro station at Waterloo would provide a unique opportunity to transform the Waterloo area and make it a better place to live for future and existing residents. The submission focuses on the renewal of the Waterloo social housing estate as part of the NSW Government’s Communities Plus Program – a key initiative to grow the social housing portfolio. This program is expected to deliver up to 23,000 new and replacement social housing dwellings, 500 affordable housing dwellings and up to 40,000 private dwellings over the next 15 to 20 years. The submission also raises a number of planning, design, construction and operational issues. 6.1.1 Planning and design Issue raised Continued collaboration with Land and Housing Corporation and UrbanGrowth NSW throughout the whole renewal process for the area will be essential to achieve world class outcomes that exemplify best practice in the integration of design and land use with public transport transformation in Sydney. Response Consultation would continue with Land and Housing Corporation and UrbanGrowth NSW regarding the integration of Waterloo Station with surrounding land uses. Issue raised The Waterloo Station strategy, location of the station entry / lobby and services, and retention of the Congregational Church building as shown in Chapter 6 of the Environmental Impact Statement are generally supported. We understand the station layout and key features displayed in the map are indicative only. Further resolution of the location of pedestrian crossings, cycle routes and bus stops should be informed by a detailed transport study to be carried out as part of the broader planning of the area, which will also determine the future character and role of Botany Road and Cope Street. A potential additional green / cycle link through Wellington Street is being considered as part of the strategic directions for the Central to Eveleigh Urban Transformation and Transport Program (C2E) and the City of Sydney Council. Response The Waterloo Station layout and transport integration arrangements are subject to detailed design. Consultation would continue with Land and Housing Corporation, UrbanGrowth NSW and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the station arrangements consider the broader strategic planning for the area and other relevant projects. Sydney Metro | Chatswood to Sydenham Submissions and Preferred Infrastructure Report 117 Chapter 6 – Government submissions Issue raised Future planning for development above the station and within the station block should be supported by a coherent vision for the renewal of the broader area to be developed in partnership with the Department of Planning and Environment, City of Sydney, Land and Housing Corporation, UrbanGrowth NSW, other agencies and the community. Alignment with the strategic framework for the Central to Eveleigh Urban Transformation and Transport Program should be sought and maintained as the planning processes evolve. Response Development above the station and on the residual land within the station block will be subject to a separate planning and assessment process. As identified in Section 12.5.10 of the Environmental Impact Statement, strategies and opportunities for this development would be developed in consultation with the Department of Planning and Environment, UrbanGrowth NSW, Land and Housing Corporation, Greater Sydney Commission, City of Sydney Council and other relevant agencies. Issue raised Given that the renewal of the social housing estate will take 15 to 20 years to complete, planning concerns more specific to social housing tenants should be considered, including lower car ownership rates and increased reliance on public transport. Response As identified in Section 12.5.10 of the Environmental Impact Statement Waterloo Station would provide the opportunity for positive land use change and transport integration. Providing opportunities to increase residential densities within walking distance of the station would reduce private vehicle use. In addition creating strong public transport links to the Sydney CBD and other centres throughout the Global Economic Corridor would reduce the reliance on public transport. Notwithstanding, it is recognised that the renewal of the social housing estate will be progressed over a number of years. Waterloo Station would also provide a benefit to social housing tenants by improving public transport and reducing reliance on car ownership. Issue raised The station design should continue to be developed as practical through an iterative and integrated approach to ensure future over station development and the renewal of the adjoining social housing estate can achieve design excellence, optimal connectivity and amenity outcomes for residents and public spaces. Response As identified in Section 6.5.3 of the Environmental Impact Statement, the design of the Waterloo Station would make provision for future over station development. In general this includes structural elements to enable the construction of future over station developments and providing space for future infrastructure such as lift cores, access, parking, and building services. Further clarification regarding the over station development elements is provided in Section 2.4 of this report. Over station development would be subject to a separate planning approval process. Liaison will continue with the Department of Planning and Environment, UrbanGrowth NSW and local councils so that the future over station development would be consistent with the renewal of the social housing estate and strategic planning requirements. It is intended that the Design Review Panel established for the Sydney Metro City & Southwest Chatswood to Sydenham project would apply to the over station developments, especially the interface between the metro station elements and the over station development elements. 118 Sydney Metro | Chatswood to Sydenham Submissions and Preferred Infrastructure Report Government submissions – Chapter 6 6.1.2 Operational and construction impacts Issue raised All measures should be undertaken to minimise or adequately mitigate any impacts to the health, safety and amenity of all existing residents of the Waterloo social housing estate. Response Chapter 27 of the Environmental Impact Statement outlines the approach to environmental management for the project. Specifically, Table 27-1 of the Environmental Impact Statement provides a consolidated list of mitigation measures which would be implemented to minimise potential environmental and community impacts. These mitigation measures have been revised and are provided in Chapter 11 of this report. Issue raised Potential impacts during construction and operation of the Waterloo Station should be addressed in coordination with Land and Housing Corporation so that consideration can be given to the most vulnerable residents, including those that may suffer from mental health issues or spend extended periods at home, including during the day. Response Consultation would continue with Land and Housing Corporation in relation to the potential impacts and mitigation measures specific to the social housing tenants. Issue raised Noise events such as blasting and passage of the tunnel boring machine through Waterloo should be planned in collaboration with Land and Housing Corporation so that tenants can be given plenty of notice. Response The Construction Environmental Management Framework (Appendix B of this report) provides the communication and consultation strategy for the project. This includes targeted notification of works that may disturb local residents prior to those works commencing. Consultation would be carried out with Land and Housing Corporation to develop appropriate consultation strategies for social housing tenants. Issue raised The Environmental Impact Statement identifies two potential routes for construction traffic, with a potential route through Cope Street. Noise impacts associated with the Cope Street option have not been assessed in the Environmental Impact Statement. However, due to the potential noise impacts and cumulative impacts associated with the Cope Street route, this route should be avoided where possible. Response Construction access at Waterloo Station would require the use of Cope Street. Access and egress directly to and from Botany Road is restricted to the high volumes of traffic and presence of bus stops, especially during daytime periods. A traffic noise assessment of construction vehicles using Cope Street is provided in Section 3.4 of this report. This assessment found that traffic noise would comply with the relevant criteria during the daytime periods. However there would be an exceedance during the night-time. As a result, night-time heavy vehicles movements would be restricted to Botany Road and Raglan Street unless compliance with the relevant criteria can be achieved (refer to revised mitigation measure NV2 in Chapter 11 of this report).