Emu Plains: Penola Catholic, CathWest Innovation College fight plans for Harbour Tunnel construction support site opposite campuses

Plans for a new tunnel connecting two suburbs in Sydney’s east is sparking an uproar in the west, with plans in place to build a ‘construction support site’ for the project directly opposite two private schools.

A ‘construction support site’ for the tunnel, linking Rozelle to the north shore is being planned 58km opposite two major western Sydney schools.

Plans for a new tunnel connecting two suburbs in Sydney’s east is sparking an uproar in Sydney’s west over plans to build a ‘construction support site’ for the project directly opposite two fast-growing private schools.

Penola Catholic College and CathWest Innovation College at Emu Plains have hit out at the state government over newly-released plans for the Western Harbour Tunnel that reveal a major construction site would be built less than 200m from the school campuses.

The construction support site would be used to manufacture precast segments for the tunnel that would connect the inner west to the north shore under Sydney Harbour – some 58km from the Emu Plains colleges.

Once completed, the tunnel would create a second underground harbour crossing for the city’s motorists, easing congestion on eastern arterial roads including the Harbour Bridge.

But the proximity of the construction support site to the schools, which are part of the Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese, has prompted major concerns over potential impacts on students during school hours.

The Western Harbour Tunnel would connect Rozelle with the Warringah Freeway on the north shore.

A spokeswoman for the diocese said Transport for NSW should “focus be on choosing a site that will have less impact on local schools”.

“(The) concerns are related to the proximity to the schools, particularly noise during school hours, the impact of dust and air pollution, and traffic,” she said.

The construction support site would generate 280 vehicle movements a day, including 180 heavy vehicles such as trucks.

Both schools believe the extra vehicle movements could exacerbate traffic congestion during the busy pick up and drop off school periods.

“At present, school start and finish times provide a significant challenge to current road infrastructure in the area,” a submission on behalf of both schools states.

“Student pedestrian safety and that of inexperienced student drivers is also of high priority in the aforementioned areas.”

The two schools are located opposite the proposed construction site.

There are also concerns the construction support site could send construction dust blowing directly onto both schools due to prevalent “strong winds” in the area.

“Dust and or air pollution created by the construction support site manufacturing and heavy vehicle or plant movements is a concern (because) Penola and CathWest have experienced consistently high levels of air pollution, including dust storms from loose debris generated from the nearby quarry in years past,” the school submission states.

“High wind weather specifically continues to be a challenge in and around the local area (and) in at least one instance, staff and students were encouraged to wear dust masks and the EPA was called to the school site for inspection.”

An aerial photo showing the proximity of the schools (right) and the proposed construction support site (left).

Plans by Transport for NSW show the construction support would be located on the Boral Quarry on Mackellar St, directly west of the schools.

A total of 80 vehicle movements are expected during morning periods between 6am to 10am and 40 in the afternoon, between 3pm and 7pm.

Plans show the construction support site would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and would be in operation for about three to four years.

The tunnel will link the WestConnex Rozelle interchange to the Warringah Freeway under Sydney Harbour.

In a statement, Transport for NSW said the department would continue to consult with both schools as part of the project.

“As the proposed construction support site at Emu Plains is an already existing industrial area, noise, air and traffic impacts associated with the site are expected to represent only minor increases,” a department spokeswoman said.

“To ensure the amenity of the local schools in proximity to the site is maintained, we will continue to consult with them and undertake regular monitoring.”

Concerns by the schools have been echoed by Penrith Council which has called for the hours of operation of heavy vehicles to be restricted, as well as more details on the impacts of noise, land contamination and flood plain management.

Transport for NSW has previously conducted community consultation on the plans, which as previously reported by The Daily Telegraph has included information sessions where residents were gifted free cups of coffee.

The proposal is currently under assessment by the Department of Planning.