ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT...

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NOVEMBER 2013

CBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAILENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OVERVIEW

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CSELR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT OVERVIEW

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT .............................................................................................................5

CBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL OVERVIEW MAP .........................................................................6

WHY IS THE CSELR NEEDED? ................................................................................................................8

PROPOSAL OVERVIEW .........................................................................................................................10

CITY CENTRE PRECINCT ......................................................................................................................10

SURRY HILLS PRECINCT ......................................................................................................................13

MOORE PARK PRECINCT .....................................................................................................................15

RANDWICK PRECINCT ...........................................................................................................................17

KENSINGTON AND KINGSFORD PRECINCT .......................................................................................20

RANDWICK STABLING FACILITY ...........................................................................................................23

ROZELLE LOCALITY – MAINTENANCE DEPOT ...................................................................................23

KEY FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ........................................................24

NEXT STEPS ...........................................................................................................................................32


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• additional special event services between Central Railway Station and the Moore Park and Royal Randwick Racecourse stops

• heavy rail interchanges at major rail stations (Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall and Central), a ferry interchange at Circular Quay, and bus interchanges at the Town Hall, Queen Victoria Building, Rawson Place, Central Station, Randwick and Kingsford stops

• afleetofelectric-poweredlightrailvehicles(LRVs), approximately 45 metres long, featuring air conditioning and accessiblelow-floordesign

• a highly reliable service with the capability to carry up to 9000 passengers per hour in each direction

• public domain improvements including paving, trees, lighting and street furniture.

PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT

PROPOSAL OVERVIEW

The CSELR proposal comprises the construction and operation of a new light rail service in Sydney, including approximately 12 kilometres of new light rail track from Circular Quay to Central, Kingsford and Randwick via Surry Hills and Moore Park. The proposal includes 20 light rail stops, a pedestrian zone on George Street (between Hunter and Bathurst streets), approximately 12 substations to provide power for the light rail vehicles (LRVs), an LRV stabling facility in Randwick and a maintenance depot in Rozelle.

Key features of the proposal include:• high frequency, ‘turn up and go’ services every two to three

minutes during peak periods within the CBD with services operatingeveryfivetosixminutesbetweenMooreParkand the Randwick and Kingsford branches

This document provides an overview of the CBD and South East Light Rail (CSELR) proposal.

This document does not form part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Readers should refer to the EIS directly for comprehensive information about the proposal, potential impacts and recommended mitigation measures.

CBD and South East Light Rail

Pedestrian zone

Pyrmont Light Rail

Proposed maintenance depot

Proposed stabling

Major bus interchange

Rail interchange

Ferry interchange

KEY

Gardeners Rd

TOWNHALL

WYNYARD

REDFERN

MASCOT

MACDONALDTOWN

ERSKINEVILLE

ST PETERS

SYDENHAM

NEWTOWN

STANMORE

DOMESTICAIRPORT

INTERNATIONALAIRPORT

THEROCKS

WATERLOO

LILYFIELD

GLEBE

NEWTOWN

BALMAIN

ULTIMO

RAWSON PLACE

WORLD SQUARE

GROSVENOR STREET

Unreliabletravel times

Congestion reduces productivity and amenity

ROSEBERY

ST PETERS

THE SITUATION NOW

$1

$2 .50in economic

invested

benefits

$308 millionin environmentaland health benefits

$333 millionin benefits forpedestrians

Every

Overpublic transport

$2 Billion

GO TEAM

High capacityspecial eventservices

$707in operatingmillionsavings$264 million

in benefits forroad users

$222in wider millioneconomicbenefits

$

delivers

customersin benefits for

10,000jobscreated

services

Frequent and reliable

light rail

97% on time

$1

$2 .50in economic

invested

benefits



Every


$2 Billion

GO TEAM





$

delivers


10,000jobscreated

services


light rail

97% on time

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Geo

rge

St

Ch

alm

ers

St

GREENSQUARE

SURRY HILLS

CHINATOWN

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CBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL OVERVIEWCBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL OVERVIEW

SURRYHILLS

NS

ou

th D

ow

ling

St

Geo

rge

St

Rainbow St

Barker St

High St

Devonshire St

Ch

alm

ers

St

An

zac Pd

e

Anzac Pde

Alison Rd

NIDA

TAFE

ROYAL RANDWICK

RACECOURSE

MOORE PARK

CENTRAL

MARTIN PLACE

CIRCULAR QUAY

GREENSQUARE

KINGSCROSS

CENTENNIAL PARK

PADDINGTON

DARLINGHURST

CBD

RANDWICK

KENSINGTON

KINGSFORD

UNIVERSITY OF NSW

KINGSFORD

RANDWICK

STRACHAN STREET

TODMAN AVENUE

UNSW ANZAC PARADE

SURRY HILLS

CHINATOWN

CENTRALSTATION

TOWNHALL

WYNYARD

CIRCULAR QUAY

QUEEN VICTORIABUILDING

CARLTON STREET

ROYAL RANDWICKRACECOURSE

MOOREPARK

UNSW HIGH STREET

WANSEY ROAD

PRINCE OF WALESHOSPITAL

MOORE PARKSPORTS AND

ENTERTAINMENTPRECINCT

More reliable journeys

Reduced congestion

Reduced air pollution and noise

Widereconomic benefits

Pedestrianimprovements

Over 10,000 jobs created

$1

$2 .50

GO TEAM

$

2-3 min

$1

$2 .50

GO TEAM

$

2-3 min

$1

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$

2-3 min

$1

$2 .50in economic

invested

benefits



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delivers


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light rail

97% on time

$1

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$BONDIJUNCTION

EDGECLIFF

$1

$2 .50in economic

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$

delivers


10,000jobscreated

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light rail

97% on time

BENEFITS OF CSELR

TOWNHALL

THEROCKS

WATERLOO

GROSVENOR STREET

ROSEBERY

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CBD AND SOUTH EAST LIGHT RAIL OVERVIEW

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Figure 1.0 CSELR meeting the transport challenge

2. Congestion is reducing Sydney’s productivity and urban amenity. Thishascreatedsignificanteconomicandsocialimpactsanda degraded environment, particularly along the George Street corridor. The CSELR will free up road capacity, transferring CBD trips from existing buses and private vehicles onto the light rail. In tandem with other Sydney bus network changes as part of the Sydney City Centre Access Strategy (SCCAS), the CSELR proposal will lead to approximately 220 fewer bus trips during the morning peak periods within the CBD.

3. The current transport system does not have the capacity to support population and economic growth. The CSELR would support future growth by improving public transport capacity, quality and reliability.

To view the SCCAS visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au/content/sydney-city-centre-access-strategy

WHY IS THE CSELR NEEDED?

Introducing light rail in the CBD and south east will transform Sydney and provide a step change in transport capability, reliability and capacity.

The CSELR proposal is designed to address three key challenges facing the Sydney CBD and inner south east suburbs:

1. Customers are increasingly experiencing unreliable journey times. This is made worse by a confusing bus network in the South East. The CSELR would improve the reliability of travel andprovideanefficientconnectionbetweentheCBDand major trip generators in the South East suburbs. Light rail stops are proposed at Moore Park, Royal Randwick Racecourse, UNSW and adjacent to the Prince of Wales and Sydney Children’s hospitals.

PROBLEM OBJECTIVES TARGET BENEFITS

Unreliable journey times and a confusing bus

network are degrading customers’ travel

experience

Congestion is reducing Sydney’s productivity

and urban amenity

The transport system does not have the

capacity to support growth

to, from and within the CBD and suburbs to the South East

Improve access to major destinations in the South East, including Moore Park,

UNSW, Royal Randwick racecourse and Randwick health precinct

Increase the use of sustainable transport modes in the CBD and suburbs to the

South East

Improve the overall amenity of public spaces in the CBD and suburbs to the

South East

Satisfy long term travel demand between the CBD and suburbs to the South East

Customer

Operating

Broader community

Wider economic

Faster and more reliable public

transport

Reduced congestion

Pedestrian amenity

Reduced public transport costs

Environmental and health

Increased productivity

t

t

We are here

Stage 2 – Exhibition, public consultation and review•Public exhibition of the EIS – and another chance for the community to have their say by making

a formal submission on the EIS •Submissions Report responding to issues raised during the public exhibition period is prepared

Stage 3 – Assessment and determination•Department of Planning and Infrastructure consults with Government agencies and councils and prepares draft Director-General’sreportoutliningrecommendedconditionsforapprovalorrefusal

•Director-General’sreportwithrecommendationssubmittedtoMinisterforPlanningandInfrastructure•Decision by Minister for Planning and Infrastructure

Haveyour say

Stage 1 – Environmental Impact Statement•StateSignificantInfrastructure(SSI)applicationlodgedwithDepartmentofPlanningandInfrastructure•DepartmentofPlanningandInfrastructureissuesDirector-General’sRequirementsfortheEIS•Community information sessions are held along the route; an opportunity for the community to have its say•The EIS is prepared

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Figure 2.0 The planning process

The EIS has been prepared to assess and document the potential environmental impacts of the construction and operation of the CSELR and to outline proposed mitigation measures. It also documents the key features of the proposal, including the likely construction method and operation.

The EIS includes:• background information, including the need for the proposal,

strategic context and alternatives considered• description of the proposal• assessment of key environmental impacts• recommended measures to minimise and manage potential

environmental impacts.

Approval from the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructureis required before Transport for NSW can proceed with the CSELR proposal. If approved, the proposal will be constructed and operated in accordance with the mitigation measures proposed in the EIS, submissions report and any conditions of approval from the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.

HOW WAS THE PROPOSAL DEVELOPED?

The development of the CSELR proposal has taken into account issues arising from stakeholder and community consultation and the environmental investigations undertaken as part of the preparation of the EIS. The proposal was developed as part of anoptionsidentificationandassessmentprocess.Thisprocessinvolved developing and assessing the feasibility of alternative options to deliver the necessary transport system capacity within inner Sydney and the CBD.

The planning and design process is ongoing and the proposal may befurtherrefinedasaresultofsubmissionsreceivedinresponseto the public exhibition of the EIS and further consultation during detailed design.

THE PLANNING APPROVAL PROCESS

TheCSELRproposalwasdeclaredacritical‘StateSignificantInfrastructure’ project by the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure on 20 May 2013. The proposal is being assessed through an EIS prepared in accordance with Part 5.1 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.

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Artist’s impression of light rail – Rawson Place stop

From Hunter Street to Bathurst Street, George Street would be closedtonormaltrafficandwouldbeconvertedtoaonekilometreshared pedestrian and light rail zone. Stops would be provided at Wynyard,QueenVictoriaBuildingandTownHall.East-westtrafficmovements within the pedestrianised zone would remain open. Local access to properties would be maintained as well as access for emergency vehicles.

Management of access in the pedestrian zone will be subject to further assessment by Transport for NSW and key stakeholders to address levels of access required by delivery vehicles, private vehicles accessing residences and taxis.

From Bathurst Street, the CSELR would continue south, typically providingonetrafficlaneineachdirectioninadditiontothelightrail alignment in the centre of George Street. At Rawson Place, the alignment would turn west and travel along Rawson Place and Eddy Avenue before turning south onto Chalmers Street. Two interchange stops would be provided along this section – a Rawson Place stop and a Central Station stop on Chalmers Street. Rawson Placewouldbeclosedtogeneraltraffic,providingonlybusandlight rail access.

PROPOSAL OVERVIEW

TheEIStakesaprecinct-basedapproachbecausetherouteoftheCSELR proposal will have potential impacts on six distinct local precincts: Sydney city centre, Surry Hills, Moore Park, Randwick, Kensington/Kingsford and Rozelle. Each precinct may be impacted in different ways, with some impacts being unique to a particular precinct. For full details refer to the EIS. To view the EIS and make a submission go to www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au

CITY CENTRE PRECINCT

The proposed CSELR would commence at Circular Quay along Alfred Street, which would become a pedestrianised zone. The route would travel along Alfred Street and turn south into George Street. This would require the closure of the northern end of Pitt StreetandLoftusStreettotraffic.

BetweenAlfredStreetandHunterStreettherewouldbeonetrafficlane in each direction in addition to the light rail alignment in the centreofGeorgeStreet(nosouth-boundlanewouldbeprovidedbetween Bridge Street and Hunter Street). A stop at Grosvenor Street would also be provided within this section to the south of Bridge Street.

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City Centre Precinct north

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City Centre Precinct south

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Artist’s impression of light rail – Surry Hills stop

Between Chalmers Street and Crown Street, the route would be located on the southern side of Devonshire Street, maintaining theexistingfootpath.Thisconfigurationwouldrequiretheremovaloftheexistingwestboundtrafficlane(towardsCentralRailway Station) and adjacent car parking on the southern side of DevonshireStreet.Aoneway,eastboundtrafficlanewouldbemaintained along Devonshire Street. Between Crown Street and Bourke Street, Devonshire Street would remain as a two way street with a dedicated central light rail corridor.

SURRY HILLS PRECINCT

From Central Railway Station to Moore Park, the route would turn east from Chalmers Street and follow Devonshire Street, uphill towards a stop at Ward Park (Surry Hills stop). The route would continue east along Devonshire Street, crossing the intersection of Crown Street, travelling towards Bourke Street. After crossing Bourke Street, the CSELR would pass through Wimbo Park at the eastern end of Devonshire Street and require removal of the existing Olivia Gardens apartment complex and thecurrentLangtonCentrecarpark.Newtrafficsignalsfor cyclists and pedestrians and vehicle crossings would be provided at Marlborough Street and Bourke Street. The northern footpath along Devonshire Street would also be improved to cater for pedestrians between Moore Park and Central Railway Station. TheroutewouldthencrossSouthDowlingStreetat-gradeandthe Eastern Distributor via a new bridge structure.

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Surry Hills Precinct

Potential underground substation site

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Artist’s impression of light rail – Anzac Parade

Artist’simpressionofcut-and-covertunnel

Prior to lodging the EIS, Transport for NSW asked the community to indicate their preferred option for crossing Moore Park after consideringthebenefitsandchallengesrelatingtoaviaductoracut-and-covertunnel.

Thecommunityshowedstrongsupportforthecut-and-cover tunnel.Thecut-and-covertunnelisthepreferredoption addressed in the EIS.

MOORE PARK PRECINCT

The proposed CSELR alignment would cross South Dowling Street (northbound and southbound) at street level and the Eastern Distributor via a new bridge. Following the crossing of South Dowling Street (southbound), the route would cross the existingMooreParkplayingfieldsinatunnelcontinuingunderAnzac Parade, before turning south and surfacing to the east of the existing busway. A stop at Moore Park would be provided at this location to the south of the tunnel allowing for access to the Moore Park sports stadiums, Entertainment Quarter complex and Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls High Schools.

At the intersection of Anzac Parade and Alison Road, the alignment would branch into two separate routes to Randwick and Kingsford respectively.

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Moore Park Precinct

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Crowds at Royal Randwick racecourse

western side of Wansey Road, climbing towards High Street. At High Street, the route would turn west and travel down the centre of the street. The route would then turn south at the junction with Avoca Street to a stop with a bus interchange at High Cross Park.Stops within the Randwick Precinct would be provided at Royal Randwick racecourse Wansey Road near Alison Road (Wansey Road stop), Wansey Road south near High Street (UNSW High Street stop) and in Belmore Road at High Cross Park (Randwick stop).

RANDWICK PRECINCT

At the intersection of Anzac Parade and Alison Road, the RandwickbranchoftheCSELRwouldtravelsouth-eastalongthe existing busway (to be shared by buses and LRVs) on the northern side of Alison Road between Anzac Parade and Doncaster Avenue. At Doncaster Avenue, the route would cross AlisonRoadandcontinuesouth-eastalongthesouthernsideofAlison Road adjacent to the Royal Randwick racecourse before turning right into Wansey Road. The route would travel down the

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Randwick Precinct north

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Randwick Precinct south

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Artist’s impression of light rail – Kingsford stop and interchange

Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). The route would travel through the mixed residential and commercial suburbs of Kensington and Kingsford connecting the town centres and providing stops at Carlton Street, Todman Avenue, the UNSW Anzac Parade, Strachan Street and Kingsford.

KENSINGTON AND KINGSFORD

The Kingsford branch of the CSELR would travel along Anzac Parade in the centre from the intersection of Anzac Parade and Alison Road, along to the existing Nine Ways roundabout at Kingsford. This route would pass several major facilities, including UNSW (main Kensington campus) and the adjacent National

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Kensington/Kingsford Precinct north

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Kensington/Kingsford Precinct south

Central light rail alignment within median

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RANDWICK STABLING FACILITY

The CSELR would include a purpose built stabling facility for the storage of light rail vehicles (LRVs) The Randwick stabling facility would be used for overnight storage of LRVs, inspection and cleaning of LRVs and for light maintenance and repair work. The proposed stabling facility would be located on a privately owned site adjacent to the Royal Randwick racecourse within the Randwick Precinct. The site is located on a parcel of land backing onto properties at the northern end of Doncaster Avenue and the western entrance to Royal Randwick racecourse. The site is currently used for informal parking and contains a number of buildings that are currently not used. These buildings would be demolished as part of the proposal.

ROZELLE LOCALITY – MAINTENANCE DEPOT

The Rozelle maintenance depot site is located in the suburb of LilyfieldandatthesiteoftheRozelleRailYards,totheeastoftheCatherineStreetroadbridgebetweenLilyfieldRoadandtheCity West Link Road and at the western end of the existing Inner West Light Rail network. CSELR would access the new light rail corridorviatheexistinglightraillinefromLilyfieldtoCentralviaPyrmont. The depot would provide facilities for maintenance of LRVs for the light rail network. It is estimated that there would be approximately four LRV movements per day into and out of the maintenance depot.

Inner West Light Rail rolling stock

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KEY FINDINGS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

TheEnvironmentalImpactStatement(EIS)identifiespotentialenvironmentalimpactsandbenefitsoftheCSELRduringconstructionandoperation.Itidentifiesmeasurestominimiseimpactsandenhancethebenefitsoftheproject.

ThetablebelowprovidesabriefsummaryofthekeyfindingsfromtheEIS.FormoreinformationaboutpotentialimpactsandhowTransport for NSW would work with affected stakeholders to mitigate these, refer to the EIS document in full.

Key issues Identifiedkeypotentialimpacts Key mitigation measures

Traffic and access

The CSELR will generally operate at street level and when running on existing roads, the light rail services will mainly operate in a dedicated corridor. Generaltrafficwillnot be allowed to travel in the new dedicated light rail corridor or turn across the tracks except for localtrafficaccessor at signalised intersections. This will require a number of changes to be made to the way in which the road network is designed and operated.

Operation impacts

Parking

Someon-streetparkingwillberemovedtoaccommodate the dedicated light rail corridor and to assisttrafficflow.

In most suburbs along the alignment, there is adequate parking available to absorb most spaces lost. The majority of parking alongside the Anzac Parade alignment will be removed.

Network performance

TheCSELRwillnothaveasignificantimpactontheperformance of the broader road network.

In the CBD, intersection performance may be affected along College, Elizabeth and York streets because of trafficshiftingfromGeorgeStreet.TheCBDmayalsoexperience reduced performance during the afternoon peak period; however travel speeds across the wider CSELR road network are predicted to improve.

Traffic access changes

Adjustmentstotheroadhierarchyandtrafficoperatingpatterns in the CBD and Anzac Parade and Alison Road will be made to accommodate the CSELR. Some changestoright-turnmovementswouldalsoberequired.

Capacity benefits

The CSELR will improve overall transport and pedestrian capacity – at both a local and regional scale.

Private property access

Access to private property along the alignment will be maintained, however access arrangements may be changed – especially along the George Street pedestrian zone where vehicles, other than emergency and service vehicles, will not have access.

CBD special events

Special events that typically use George Street and Circular Quay may need to use alternate routes through the CBD. Alternatively, the service may be turned back at Town Hall and Central during special events.

Operation mitigation measures

Parking strategy

The EIS includes a supporting Transport Operations Report, which details the proposed project parking strategy.

Transport for NSW and local councils will work together to manage local parking impacts.

Parking capacity may be managed using the following methods:

•Extending parking permit schemes to prioritise local residentparkingandtocaterforshort-termcommercialparking and access requirements

•Provideshort-termparkingandloadingzonesonthestreets adjacent to the alignment and local businesses

•Adjustingparkingconfiguration(suchasangledparking)to increase capacity, where possible.

Traffic and access strategies

Transport for NSW will work closely with impacted stakeholders to develop plans to manage or reduce potential project impacts. These plans would include:

•A network management plan to minimise journey time impactsandchangestotrafficcongestion

•A demand management strategy to address demand for road access during both construction and operation phases. This plan would aim to reduce peak hour traveldemandandensurenetworkefficiencyisnotcompromised

•Network optimisation strategies to identify the need fortrafficmanagementupgradestomitigatetrafficcirculation challenges

CBD special events

Transport for NSW would continue ongoing consultation with key stakeholders to manage special events along the alignment, including City of Sydney Council, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Returned Services League.

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Traffic and access cont...

Construction impacts

Parking

On-streetparkingandloadingzonesalongthealignment will potentially be affected during construction to allow for safe worksite widths and toensurethemaximumnumberoftrafficlanes remain available.

Network changes

The CSELR requires changes to the way the road network is designed and operated. Private vehicles, bus users, pedestrians and cyclists may experience temporary diversions and restrictions during construction. These will be advised to local communities and users in advance of any changes occurring.

Some diversions to bus routes will also be required during construction.

Pedestrians and cyclists

Pedestrians and cyclists may be diverted to accommodate the safe construction of CSELR; diversions will be clearly communicated to affected users.

Pedestrian movements along existing footpaths parallel to the CSELR will be maintained most of the time during construction. Existing pedestrian crossings along the proposed route will continue to operate during construction. To maintain safety, there may be shortperiodsofpedestriandiversionduringspecificphases of construction.

Some cycle routes will be occupied by construction worksites and will need to be diverted, including along Devonshire Street, Wansey Road and Alison Road.

Access for emergency vehicles

Emergency vehicles will have access to the alignment throughout construction and operation of the CSELR. For short periods during construction there may be changes to routes used by emergency vehicles.

Special event access

Construction of CSELR will require temporary changestoset-downandpick-upareasatspecialevent venues along the alignment, including Moore Park and Royal Randwick racecourse.

Construction mitigation measures

Construction workforce parking

Parking for the construction workforce will not be provided on nearby streets. Where possible the workforce will be encouraged to use public transport and dedicated shuttle bus services from the main construction sites may be provided to minimise local parking impacts during construction.

Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)

Construction of the CSELR requires work to be undertaken adjacent to busy sites within the CBD and South East. The main emphasis in managing constructiontrafficisonminimisingtheimpacts.Transport for NSW will prepare a CEMP, which is a comprehensive document detailing ways to minimise the level of disturbance created as a result of construction to businesses, pedestrians, visitors and workers.TheCEMPwillincludeconstructiontrafficmanagement plans, a parking management plan and a construction noise and vibration management plan.

A Construction Network Management Plan (CNMP) will be prepared to identify potential impacts to the trafficnetworkandoutlinemanagementandmitigationoptions. The CNMP will address ways to minimise journey time impacts and congestion levels.

CBD special events

Transport for NSW would continue ongoing consultation with key stakeholders to manage special events along the alignment, including City of Sydney Council, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the Returned Services League

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Land use and community

Assessments have been undertaken as part of the EIS on how the CSELR will impact the local environment, community and existing land use during construction and operation.

Operation impacts

Community values

By linking communities across the CBD and South East, the CSELR will:

•Enhance access to public spaces and community facilities

•Enhance urban connectivity and liveability

•Improve social sustainability

•Improve amenity and urban character.

Open space

CSELR will allow for the potential creation of additional community open space within and adjacent to the existing Olivia Gardens apartment complex.

Property and land use

As a result of CSLER, some private property and existing public space will be permanently lost, including space between Bourke Street and South Dowling Street, at Moore Park and at Royal Randwick racecourse.


Open space

Any public open space lost or impacted by the CSELR will be replaced. The replacement approach will be subject to consultation with local councils and affected landowners.

The acquisition of land between Bourke Street and South Dowling Street will create the potential to deliver new openspacethatwillbenefitthelocalcommunity.

Private property acquisition

In order to deliver the CSELR, private property needs to be acquired between Bourke Street and South Dowling Street, including the Olivia Gardens apartment complex. Private property will be acquired in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991.


Community values

During construction of CSELR there will be some impacts on the urban character of the spaces along the alignment, including public open spaces and access to community facilities.

Open space

The CSELR construction footprint will temporarily disrupt some open space along the route, including First Fleet Park, Moore Park, Belmore Park, Ward Park, HighCrossParkandRobertsonRoadsportsfields.


Consultation

Consultation will play a vital role in the construction phase of the CSELR to mitigate land use and property impacts, particularly impacts on directly affected land owners.

The detailed design of the CSELR will be undertaken in consultation with directly affected land owners. Additionally, the appropriate sequencing of construction activities will be managed to ensure that impacts on public land use are minimised.

Consultation will occur with businesses, the community and commuters advising them in advance of proposed works and any temporary access arrangements that may be required.

Consultation will also be undertaken with agencies such as utilities providers and other potential stakeholders throughout construction of the CSELR toidentifymitigationmeasures,potentialconflictsandopportunities for reducing impacts to existing land uses.

Theoverallconstructionfootprintwillberefinedduringdetailed design to identify areas where the proposal footprint can be minimised to reduce impacts on existing land uses. Detailed staging plans for the proposal will also be determined during detailed design and will aim to minimise the time that affected land uses are impacted during construction.

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Noise and vibration

A detailed noise and vibration impact assessment was prepared for the CSELR EIS including:

•ambient noise surveys to determine existing noise levels

•identificationofreceptors along the alignment that are potentially sensitive to

•noise and vibration

•prediction of noise and vibration levels and impacts from the construction and operation of the light rail line.

Operation impacts

Noise and vibration

The CSELR is expected to improve the noise environmentalongtheroute.TheremovaloftrafficalongGeorge Street between Hunter Street and Bathurst Streetwillreducenoiseimpactsfromexistingtraffic.Thenoise and vibration assessment in the EIS found that there will be some localised impacts including:

•Minor noise impacts from passing light rail vehicles are predicted in the CBD and Randwick, as well as the Kensington/ Kingsford precinct

•Moderate noise impacts are predicted in the Surry Hills precinct, mainly along Devonshire Street

•Potential impacts from ground borne noise and vibrationfromlightrailvehicleshavebeenidentifiedat approximately seven sensitive locations along the route. These sites will be subject to further assessment during detailed design.

Noise levels generated by stabling and maintenance facilities,andsub-stations,arepredictedtoexceednoiselevels at certain locations without mitigation.


Noise and vibration

Noisefromnewfixedfacilitiesincludingstablingandmaintenance yards and electrical substations will be controlled by inclusion of shielding or enclosures to comply with the applicable noise guidelines at all locations.

The trackform will be designed to minimise noise and will be well maintained during operations. Additionally, the new light rail vehicles that will run on the CSELR will utilise best practice noise attenuation technology and will limit noise through operating practices such as minimum use of bells at night time.

Measures to minimise noise and vibration impacts from theprojectwouldbeconfirmedduringthedetaileddesignphase of the project with ongoing consultation.


Noise and vibration

A noticeable level of noise will be generated during the construction of the CSELR. The noise and vibration assessment in the EIS found there will be:

•Noise impacts in all precincts, particularly during road pavement, demolition, rock breaking and night works

•Cinema and theatre buildings in some areas may be impacted by ground borne noise during quieter periods of movies or shows

•Noise impacts at night where works will be required due to potential impacts on roads

•Construction vibration impacts are not expected to damage buildings. However there is potential for ground vibration levels to exceed human comfort criteria for short durations at some locations.


Construction management

Where possible, construction will take place during standardconstructionhoursof7am-6pmMonday-Fridayand8am-1pmonSaturdays.Considerationwill be given to the scheduling of activities generating high noise and/or vibration levels during these hours.However,tominimisedisruptiontotrafficandbusinesses and overall safety, some works will be required on a 24 hour basis in the CBD and extended hours at night in other precincts.

At a local level, noise and vibration levels would be monitored and potentially impacted properties may be subject to condition surveys.

Construction noise mitigation

A Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) will be prepared, and it will include a Construction Noise and Vibration Management Plan (CNVMP). Site specificCNVMPswillbedevelopedinthedetaildesignphase.

Consultation with sensitive receivers

Ongoing consultation and collaboration with the owners and operators of vibration sensitive equipment will be required throughout the detailed design stage to achieve appropriate vibration outcomes at these facilities during construction and operation.

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Planted trees and landscape

Assessments have been undertaken as part of the EIS on how the CSELR will impact the local environment during construction and operation, including tree removal, visual impact and urban design.

Operation impacts

Visual and public domain benefits

Upon completion, there will be opportunities to undertake tree planting and urban design measures to enhance the public domain in many areas, including along George Street, Devonshire Street and Wimbo Park.

Tree loss

Trees will be lost during construction of CSELR. Many ofthesetreeswillnotbere-plantedinthesamespotbecause of potential interference with the safe operation of light rail.


Tree replacement

Detailed landscape plans will be prepared. All trees lost willbereplacedasaminimum.Significanttreeswillbereplaced at a ratio of 8:1.

Transport for NSW will consult with local councils and other stakeholders about tree species, size and planting locations. Where practicable trees will be relocated and/orsemi-maturetreeswillbeconsideredasreplacementstoachieveimmediatevisualandpublicdomainbenefits.

Urban Design and Landscape Strategy

Transport for NSW will prepare detailed urban design strategies and plans to maximise the opportunities for improvements to public domain spaces created as part of the CSELR. Included in these considerations will betheopportunitytocombineseveralabove-groundstreetelements(lighting,trafficsignals,overheadwiring)on common use poles to reduce visual clutter and potential impacts on existing awnings and footpaths, in consultation with the City of Sydney or Randwick City Council as appropriate.


Tree loss

The preliminary tree assessment found that the CSELR will result in a large number of planted trees being removed along the route, including a number of significanttreesalongAnzacParade,AlisonRoadandWansey Road. Trees will be removed to accommodate construction of the CSELR.

Thetreeassessmentidentifiestheextenttowhichpotential tree loss will occur:

•City Centre up to approximately 110 planted trees

•Surry Hills up to approximately 140 planted trees

•Moore Park up to approximately 70 planted trees

•Randwick up to approximately 280 planted trees

•Kensington/Kingsford up to approximately 160 planted trees


Tree replacement

See above – operation mitigation measures

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Built and non-indigenous heritage

Assessments have been undertaken as part of the EIS on how the CSELR will impact heritage areas during construction.


Non-indigenous heritage

Anumberofnon-indigenousheritageitemsandheritageconservation areas will be disturbed during construction of the CSELR including temporary impacts at First Fleet Park and Moore Park due to work depots located in these areas.

Some of the trees that are proposed to be removed have heritagesignificance.

Areas of potential archaeological significance

Thedisturbancetoorlossofsignificantarchaeologicalresources may occur at some locations along the alignment. There is potential for impacts of this nature to occur along George Street, in the vicinity of Town Hall and Central, Moore Park, High Cross Park and Tay Reserve.


Managing heritage impacts

The construction of the CSELR will be managed to ensure that the potential heritage impacts are minimised and/or avoided through the effective mitigation measures outlined in the EIS.

Management and mitigation principles for potential impactstobuiltandnon-Indigenousheritagearchaeologyinclude:

•Consultation with heritage specialists to ensure the appropriate management of heritage items so that impacts are minimised

•Protection of sensitive features during construction

•MonitoringofspecifiedexcavationworksbyanExcavation Director in close consultation with the NSW Heritage branch

•Heritage inductions for all contractors advising and informing them of the archaeological potential and protocols in the event that any unexpected remains are located.

The detailed design of the CSELR will aim to retain significantheritagelistedtreesalongtheroute,wherefeasiblewithoutcompromisingrailsafety.Specificmitigationmeasuresidentifiedforbuiltandlandscapeheritage items have been developed for each precinct.

Socio-economic

The EIS outlines how the CSELR will provide economic benefitsinthelongterm, as well as outliningthesocio-economic impacts that will be experienced during construction.

Operation impacts

Social benefits and impacts

Localsocialbenefitsinclude:

•Increased access to local businesses, shops and services

•Improved pedestrian access and visibility in the George Street pedestrian zone

Local social impacts include

•Changes to amenity and character of Wansey and Alison roads

•Community and cultural impacts at High Cross Park and at the Kingsford stop.

CSELR will generate employment opportunities duringbothconstructionandon-goingoperation;withimmediateandflow-onsocio-economicbenefitsforthecommunity.

CSELR will be designed to promote interaction with, and facilitate access to/from, neighbouring areas.

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Socio-economic cont...

Local economic benefits

Several precincts, including the City Centre, Moore Park and Randwick, will experience positive economic benefitssuchasincreasedbusinessactivityandopportunities for urban renewal including those associated with the Randwick Urban Activation Precinct (UAP).

Local economic impacts

Permanent loss of parking in the Kensington/Kingsford precinct will have a moderate economic impact in the local area; the extent of the impact may be offset by theaccessibilitybenefitsofCSELR.


Local socio-economic impacts

Socio-economicimpactsarepredictedduringconstruction in some areas along the alignment.

Construction impacts such as noise, dust, potential loss of business trade due to parking and access interruptionsmaycontributetosocio-economicimpacts.

CSELR will generate employment opportunities duringbothconstructionandon-goingoperation;withimmediateandflow-onsocio-economicbenefitsforthecommunity.

Local economic impacts

Potential economic impacts are predicted in relation to the loss of parking during construction in the Kensington/ Kingsford Precinct. Impacts could extend to George Street as a result of reduced pedestrian movement in the area during construction


Construction strategies

Transport for NSW will work closely with impacted stakeholders to develop ways to mitigate and manage socio-economicimpacts.Aseriesofplanswillbeprepared to manage the construction of CSELR and to addresssocio-economicimpacts,including:

•Access management plans, prepared in conjunction with affected businesses and landowners, to ensure servicing and delivery requirements can be met throughout construction and operation of the CSELR

•Accessplanstoensurethecommunityhason-goingpublic access, via diversions, to community facilities in the Rocks, Belmore Park, the Sydney Dental Hospital and other areas as required

•Business and Landowner Engagement and Management Plan to support the strategies in the access management plans, and outline how businesses will be communicated with and supported throughout construction.

Cumulative impacts

The EIS considered the impacts of the CSELR in relation to other major proposed developments along the alignment.

Operation impacts

Cumulative impacts

Sydney is undergoing several concurrent improvements. The redesign of the Sydney bus network around light rail stops that will include bus interchange facilities, as well as changes to the road network due to the Sydney City Centre Access Strategy (SCCAS) will contribute to the cumulative impact in the CBD.

Potential cumulative noise and visual impacts at the Rozelle maintenance depot locality with the Inner West Light Rail Extension project will be taken into consideration as part of the detailed design.


Delivering cumulative benefits

Changestobusnetworksandreconfigurationstotransport and access in the CBD associated with the SCCAS will be integrated with the CSELR to ensure optimal transport, access and amenity.

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Cumulative impacts cont...


Cumulative impacts

There is potential for cumulative construction impacts to be experienced in the City Centre and Randwick precincts due to the concentration of major projects in these areas such as Barangaroo, Sydney International Conference, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct (SICEEP) redevelopment and Prince of Wales hospital works.


Coordinated construction activity

The potential cumulative construction impacts will be further considered as the detailed design and construction plans are developed.

Transport for NSW will coordinate activities with other major projects to minimise potential cumulative impacts. Construction management plans will incorporate measures, where required, to manage cumulative construction impacts.

Other environmental impacts

Operation and construction

Other potential impacts such as Aboriginal heritage, biodiversity, air quality, contamination, utilities and greenhouse gases were assessed in EIS; however, thesearenotconsideredtohavepotentiallysignificantimpacts – recognising the proposed application of construction management and mitigation measures.

Operation and construction

Appropriate mitigation and management measures will be implementedtomanageanyidentifiedimpacts.

This document, including the table above, provides an overview of the CBD and South East Light Rail (CSELR) proposal. This document does not form part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Readers should refer to the EIS directly for comprehensive information about the proposal, potential impacts and recommended mitigation measures.

To view the EIS and make a submission go to www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au

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NEXT STEPS

EXHIBITION OF THE EIS

The Department of Planning and Infrastructure will place the EIS on public exhibition between 14 November and 16 December 2013.

HOW TO MAKE A SUBMISSION

As part of the EIS assessment process, you are encouraged to make a formal submission to the Department of Planning and Infrastructure between 14 November and 16 December 2013.

To view the EIS and make a submission go towww.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au

All submissions must be received by 16 December 2013

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS

IfyouwouldliketofindoutmoreaboutCSELR,theprojectteamwill be available to discuss the EIS and answer questions at the followingdrop-incommunityinformationsessions:

Eastern Suburbs Masonic Centre199 Anzac Parade, KensingtonSaturday 23 November, 10am – 2pm

State LibraryMacquarie Street, SydneyTuesday 26 November, 4pm – 8pm

Randwick Town HallCorner Avoca and Frances streets, RandwickSaturday 30 November, 10am – 2pm

Sydney Boys High SchoolGate 9, Anzac Parade, Moore ParkThursday 5 December, 4pm – 8pm

Surry Hills Library405 Crown Street, Surry HillsTuesday 10 December, 4pm – 8pm

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

A comprehensive stakeholder and community consultation program is underway to inform residents and businesses about the CSELR, the planning approval process and to how to provide feedback.

The NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure will review the EIS, the submissions report and submissions received during the public exhibition period, prior to making a recommendation to the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.

Project determination will be at the discretion of the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure. If the CSELR proposal is approved, the project will be constructed and operated in accordance with the EIS, the submissions report, and any conditions of approval issued by the NSW Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.

If approved, Transport for NSW will keep the community informed of the project’s progress through project updates, letterboxnotifications,theprojectwebsiteandnoticesinlocalnewspapers. A construction environment management plan wouldbedevelopedpriortothestartofconstructiontodefinethe management measures to mitigate impacts.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information you can:

• visit the project website at www.transport.nsw gov.au/projects

• call the project infoline on 1800 684 490

• email [email protected].

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