Camden Council staff recommend tunnelling

CAMDEN Council’s draft submission to Transport for NSW says it will not support the proposed eight-lane M9 Outer Sydney Orbital current route unless it is tunnelled almost in entirety, within the Camden local government area.

A draft submission by Camden Council states it will only support the M9 Outer Sydney Orbital draft corridor if it’s tunnelled.

CAMDEN Council has raised a myriad of concerns, including the future liveability of the Camden area, in its draft submission on the M9 Outer Sydney Orbital (OSO) draft corridor.

The draft submission to Transport for NSW, to be debated at Camden Council on Tuesday night, states council will not support the proposed eight-lane motorway’s current route unless it is tunnelled almost in entirety, within the Camden local government area.

A map of the M9 Outer Sydney Orbital draft corridor.

Concerned residents at a community forum at Camden Civic Centre. Picture: Carmela Roche

The submission states tunnelling would avoid all residential and commercial property, and land of heritage and environment significance.

“Council does not support the current at-grade alignment of the OSO,” the report states.

“The section of rail line proposed by Transport for NSW to be underground (between Oran Park and Macarthur) is approximately 11.5km in length.

Camden Liberal Mayor Lara Symkowiak at the M9 Outer Sydney Orbital community forum. Picture: Carmela Roche

“Council estimates that the section of the proposed orbital corridor that is most likely to have an adverse impact through the Camden LGA on existing residents, landowners, environment, heritage etc. is also 11.5km in length.”

Camden Mayor Lara Symkowiak said tunnelling wasn’t a “pipe dream”.

“It is very clear on council’s position that we oppose the current route,” she said.

“We can’t support the current route because of the severe impacts on all issues, such as environment, amenities and loss of land.

“Tunnelling would consist of pretty much the entire Camden LGA. It would obviously bring huge costs but there is also huge costs associated with building huge viaducts above flood prone lands.”

The Nepean River near Camden. Picture: Robert Pozo

The current proposed corridor would potentially feature a viaduct above flood-prone land and the Nepean River, about 3km long between Cobbitty Rd and Ellis Lane.

The submission stated the economic benefit of the OSO would justify the increased investment for tunnelling by the NSW and Australian governments.

The submission also raised concerns about air pollution, noise, vibrations, landscape, environment and heritage, referencing the future operation of the Western Sydney Airport.

Camden Council’s draft submission raises concerns of the impact on the rural landscape of the Camden area. Picture: Robert Pozo

Cr Symkowiak said council will fight to maintain the rural beauty of the area, insisting it wouldn’t be sacrificed in the wake of an Outer Sydney Orbital.

“We are shouldering more than our fair share of housing supply in Camden — that is why it’s even more important the wider community value the rural lands left and protect it as much as possible,” she said.

The future Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek Creek.

“Not everything has to be developed and I think that makes Camden special.

“People have the choice to live an urban or live a rural lifestyle. We need to protect the best of both worlds.”

The draft submission also asked if the OSO would be accommodating the western Sydney fuel pipeline corridor to Western Sydney Airport and surrounds.

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