Beaches Link tunnel opposition’s new map shows unfiltered stacks’ pollution impacts
PREMIER Gladys Berejiklian is under fire over the potential health impacts of the proposed Beaches Link tunnel’s unfiltered stacks on the north shore’s childcare centres, schools, sports grounds and hospitals.
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A COMMUNITY group has ramped up concerns about the health impacts of the proposed Beaches Link tunnel’s unfiltered stacks on the north shore’s childcare centres, schools, sports grounds and hospitals.
The Stop the Tunnels group has released a new map, put together by independent experts, which shows the widespread pollution range of each tunnel stack.
“This is an area with one of Sydney’s highest concentrated populations of day-cares, schools and hospitals, so it seems madness that the government would choose to put a tunnel through it with unfiltered stacks,” group spokesman Ted Re said.
“It’s time to look at a sustainable transport solution. We’re not anti-progress, we’re just asking for (Premier) Gladys (Berejiklian) to look at options like more trains and do it in a way that doesn’t damage the quality of life and health of her own constituents (in the electorate of Willoughby).”
The call comes after Ms Berejiklian sent a letter to residents assuring them that new design plans will put in place “stronger measures on tunnel emissions”.
“A full air-quality assessment, taking into account local conditions such as topography is also being undertaken,” the Premier told her constituents.
The Stop the Tunnels group last week penned a letter of their own back to Ms Berejiklian which, in part, said: “It’s time we had a chat. Things aren’t working between us.
“You’ve moved the proposed ventilation outlets away from the private schools, but they’ve actually come closer to the local public primary schools and daycare centres, not to mention Royal North Shore Hospital.
“And saying there’s already unfiltered stacks there, doesn’t make it any safer. The industrial area in Artarmon you mention using for an unfiltered stack site is in the impact range of our local hospital, school and around 10 daycare centres.”
It goes on to question the impacts of the tunnel construction hub close to sporting fields and tennis courts.
“That’s not only where we play sport, it’s where our children have their before/after school care,” the group’s letter says.
“How can we play surrounded by sandstone dust, disturbed asbestos and 24/7 construction?”
The group and P&Cs from Cammeray and Anzac Park primary schools have requested a face-to-face meeting with the Premier, but they say their letters have gone unanswered.
“It’s not too late for us,” the Stop the Tunnels letter to the Premier says. “We can still fix this. (You need to) listen to the concerns of your neighbourhood and stop your plans to construct a tunnel through our quiet, historic, residential area.”
Earlier this year, medical activist Dr Ray Nassar warned that pollution from unfiltered stacks is the “new asbestos”.
The community consultation period on the latest Beaches Link and Western Harbour Tunnel designs end in early November. Early works on the project are expected to start later this year and the tunnels are expected to open to traffic by 2026.
