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Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection

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EIS submissions closed

Documents

Select any of the documents below to download. Please check back here for updates as the project progresses.

EIS chapters Filter EIS by topic EIS fact sheets Earlier documents
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Download Guide to the EIS
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EIS Frequently asked questions

EIS chapters


Executive summary
The Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is now on public exhibition. The EIS assesses the potential impacts of the construction and operation of this project, including environmental and social impacts, proposed locations for construction support sites, truck movements and how we are managing the potential impacts to local flora and fauna.
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Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection, including its key features and location.
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Chapter 2: Assessment process
The EIS is now on display from 9 December 2020 to 1 March 2021 and you have the opportunity to review the assessments and provide feedback on our findings. Once the public exhibition period has closed, DPIE will provide us with a copy of all the submissions received. We will then prepare a submissions report to respond to the issues raised. The submissions report will be submitted to DPIE and be available to view on their website. This report and the EIS help inform the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces’ decision on the project. If the project is approved it will be built and operated in accordance with the plans described in the EIS and the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces’ Conditions of Approval.
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Chapter 3: Strategic context and project need
This chapter outlines the strategic context and need for the project, assesses the current and future transport challenges Sydney is facing, and describes the benefits of the project for people across Greater Sydney. This chapter also looks at how the project aligns with national and state strategic planning and transport policies.
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Chapter 4: Project development and alternatives
This chapter describes the alternatives that were considered as part of the project development process and explains the selection of the Proposed Reference Design. It also includes design refinements for specific elements of the project.
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Chapter 5: Project description
This chapter describes the project, including the route alignment, project footprint, main project elements, operational facilities and environmental controls. The plans proposed in the EIS may evolve depending on several factors including community feedback, and the construction methodologies developed by the contractor/s once appointed.
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Chapter 6: Construction work
This chapter describes the proposed approach to construction of our project and our timeline, footprint, methodology, working hours, materials, equipment, traffic management, site access routes, and temporary construction sites. You may see some minor change, once our selected construction contractor carries out detailed planning and design. Any changes will be assessed for consistency with the assessment made in the EIS and if not consistent, a planning modification will be submitted to DPIE for their consideration and approval.
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Chapter 7: Stakeholder and community engagement
This chapter provides an overview of the stakeholder and community engagement activities carried out during the project’s development and during the preparation of the EIS.
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Chapter 8: Construction traffic and transport
This chapter considers the potential traffic and transport impacts from the construction of Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection and identifies how we will minimise these impacts.
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Chapter 9: Operational traffic and transport
This chapter considers the potential traffic and transport impacts of the operation of Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection and identifies how we will minimise these impacts.
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Chapter 10: Construction noise and vibration
This chapter considers the possible noise and vibration impact when we are building and identifies how we will minimise this impact.
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Chapter 11: Operational noise and vibration
This chapter considers the possible noise and vibration impact when we are open to traffic and identifies how we will minimise this impact. Once open to traffic some areas will benefit from less noise due to reduced traffic on the surface and the new noise walls and at-property noise treatments we will install.
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Chapter 12: Air quality
This chapter outlines the potential air quality impacts associated with the project. We recognise that air quality is important to you. Our commitment is that the tunnels will be built and operated to meet strict air quality standards using modern ventilation and tunnel design. All ventilation systems will be built and operated to strictly comply with any conditions specified in DPIE’s Conditions of Approval, and the Environment Protection Licence (EPL) to be issued by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
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Chapter 13: Human health
This chapter outlines the potential human health impacts of the project. We want to assure you the health and safety of our communities and stakeholders is our priority.
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Chapter 14: Non-Aboriginal heritage
This chapter outlines the potential non-Aboriginal heritage impacts of the project. We know there are many important non-Aboriginal sites along the project alignment.
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Chapter 15: Aboriginal heritage
This chapter outlines the potential Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts of the project. Our studies confirm evidence of Aboriginal occupation along and around the project area, particularly relating to historical areas of plentiful food resources, movement pathways, and meeting and camping sites located near locations such Clive Park, Burnt Bridge Creek and Flat Rock Creek.
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Chapter 16: Geology soils and groundwater
This chapter outlines the possible impacts from erosion, sedimentation, acid sulfate soils, and urban soil salinity, and looked at the potential impacts on groundwater while we are building as well as during the first 100 years of the tunnel being open. The impact from our project is expected to be minimal.
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Chapter 17: Hydrodynamics and water quality
This chapter provides an assessment of the potential impact on hydrodynamics, such as tidal and current movements within Middle Harbour, and water quality in waterways and marine environments. The assessments show our proposed management controls and procedures will prevent major impact on hydrodynamics and water quality while we are building and operating the project.
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Chapter 18: Flooding
This chapter outlines the potential impact to flooding as a result of the project both when we are building and open to traffic, including potential impact of future climate change and of a partial blockage of the local stormwater drainage system. Detailed construction planning will consider flood risk at construction sites. We will manage potential impact during construction. Overall the project will generally have neutral or beneficial change to flooding behaviour external to the road corridor as a result of the project up to and including the 1 in 100 year flood event.
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Chapter 19: Biodiversity
This chapter provides an assessment of the potential impacts of the project on land, fresh water and marine biodiversity and identifies how we will minimise these impacts. We are committed to protecting the local flora and fauna during construction and operation of this project.
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Chapter 20: Land use and property
This chapter considers the potential impacts of the project on affected properties and open space. We have designed the project to minimise the need for private property acquisition, where possible. The project has balanced impacts to private property with temporary and permanent impacts to areas of open space. We will use space efficiently and make the most of our work areas, enabling us to reduce the overall temporary and permanent operational footprint of our project.
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Chapter 21: Socio-economics
This chapter considers the potential impacts of the project on socio-economic issues from the construction and operation of the project. We know a project of this scale will change the local community during construction and operation. We expect the project to support up to 7500 full-time-equivalent jobs during construction.
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Chapter 22: Urban design and visual amenity
This chapter considers the potential for impact to the overall landscape, and visual amenity as a result of our project. Our project has been designed to make the most of existing transport corridors and built-up urban areas and is largely built underground to minimise impacts on the surface. This is so our project can blend into the surrounding environment and reduce the character and visual impact in local areas, where possible. Due to the large scale of our project, there will be some permanent impact to the local landscape and visual amenity.
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Chapter 23: Hazards and risks
This chapter considers the potential hazards arising from incidents during construction and operation that could pose a risk to public safety, the surrounding community or the environment. We are prioritising your safety and health and the welfare of our workers while protecting the environment.
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Chapter 24: Resource use and waste management
This chapter considers the potential hazards arising from incidents during construction and operation that could pose a risk to public safety, the surrounding community or the environment. We are prioritising your safety and health and the welfare of our workers while protecting the environment.
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Chapter 25: Sustainability
This chapter describes the overall approach to sustainability through design, construction and operation of the project. A sustainability framework has been prepared for the project. The project is part of the Future Transport 2056 Strategy and is designed to contribute to long term environmental, social and economic outcomes while being committed to the NSW Government’s aspirational objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The tunnel will support operation of electric buses and other low or no emission vehicles.
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Chapter 26: Climate change risk and adaptation
This chapter assesses the vulnerability of the project in relation to climate change and its contribution to future climate change as a result of the construction and operation. Greenhouse gas emissions will be managed and minimised during construction as part of the Sustainability Management Plan. Energy efficiency will be considered during further design development with energy efficient systems installed where reasonable and practicable.
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Chapter 27: Cumulative impacts
This chapter provides an overview of the potential cumulative impacts of the construction and operation of the project and identifies how we will minimise these impacts. We have considered other projects close to the project alignment in the design and timing of our project to reduce the cumulative impact on our community, where possible. We will continue to collaborate with the relevant teams on nearby projects to manage impacts of potential cumulative impacts.
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Chapter 28: Synthesis of the environmental impact
This chapter provides a summary of the technical details and findings of the EIS, including an overview of the project and the existing environment. It details key impacts and the proposed management and mitigation measures. This chapter also outlines any uncertainties and the performance outcomes for the project.
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Chapter 29: References
This chapter provides a list of references for the EIS.
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EIS appendices


Appendix A
SEARs checklist
Appendix B
EPA Reg 2000 checklist
Appendix C
Environmental risk analysis
Appendix D
Utilities management strategy
Appendix E
Community consultation framework
Appendix F - Part 1
Traffic and transport
Appendix F - Part 2
Traffic and transport
Appendix G - Part 1
Noise and vibration
Appendix G - Part 2
Noise and vibration
Appendix G - Part 3
Noise and vibration
Appendix H - Part 1
Air quality
Appendix H - Part 2
Air quality
Appendix I
Health impact assessment
Appendix J
Non-Aboriginal heritage
Appendix K
Maritime heritage
Appendix M
Contamination
Appendix N
Groundwater
Appendix O
Surface water
Appendix P
Hydrodynamics and dredge plume modelling
Appendix Q
Marine water quality
Appendix R - Part 1
Flooding
Appendix R - Part 2
Flooding
Appendix S
Biodiversity development assessment report
Appendix T
Marine ecology
Appendix U
Socio-economic assessment
Appendix V
Urban design, landscape character and visual impact
Appendix W - Part 1
Arboricultural impact assessment
Appendix W - Part 2
Arboricultural impact assessment
Appendix X
Greenhouse gas calculations
Appendix Y
Environmental management measures

Fact sheets


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How to use Beaches Link
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Artarmon temporary construction support site
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Building across the harbour
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Building on land
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Balgowlah fact sheet
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Project Benefits and Overview
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EIS Air Quality
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EIS Noise and vibration
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Traffic and Transport
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Frenchs Forest temporary construction support site
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Cammeray Golf Course temporary construction support site
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Middle Harbour and Mosman temporary construction support sites
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Northbridge/Willoughby temporary construction support site
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Seaforth and Killarney Heights temporary construction support sites
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Waste Management on Land and Water
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Biodiversity (flora and fauna)

Earlier documents


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August 2020 Community Update
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November 2019 Community Update

Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection overview

Building across Middle Harbour

Seabed dredging

Hear from our Program Director, Doug Parris

Your new open space in Balgowlah

Before/After: Miller Street Bridge

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Artarmon

Balgowlah

Balgowlah

Cammeray

Northbridge/Willoughby

Middle Harbour

Wakehurst Parkway

Seaforth

Filter the EIS

Select the topics you are interested in reading about

Biodiversity
Construction
Public transport
Aboriginal heritage
Non Aboriginal heritage
Noise and vibration
Water quality
Flooding
Soil quality
Sustainability
Waste
Climate change

Related chapters

Select from topics of interest above

Chapter 1

Introduction

Read

Key topics

Chapter 6

Construction work

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 7

Stakeholder and community engagement

Read

Key topics

Biodiversity

Chapter 8

Construction traffic and transport

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 9

Operational traffic and transport

Read

Key topics

Traffic

Chapter 10

Construction noise and vibration

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 11

Operational noise and vibration

Read

Key topics

Noise and vibration

Chapter 13

Human health

Read

Key topics

Health and safety

Chapter 14

Non-Aboriginal heritage

Read

Key topics

Non Aboriginal heritage

Chapter 15

Aboriginal heritage

Read

Key topics

Aboriginal heritage

Chapter 16

Geology soils and groundwater

Read

Key topics

Soil quality

Chapter 17

Hydrodynamics and water quality

Read

Key topics

Water quality

Chapter 18

Flooding

Read

Key topics

Flooding

Chapter 19

Biodiversity

Read

Key topics

Biodiversity

Chapter 20

Land use and property

Read

Key topics

Sustainability

Chapter 21

Social and economics

Read

Key topics

Sustainability

Chapter 22

Urban design and visual amenity

Read

Key topics

Sustainability

Chapter 23

Hazards and risks

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 24

Resource use and waste management

Read

Key topics

Waste

Chapter 26

Climate change risk and adaptation

Read

Key topics

Climate change
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Privacy Transport for NSW (“we”) collects the personal information of those who contact us in connection with the Western Harbour Tunnel and Beaches Link (“the Program”). In addition to collecting your name and contact details, we may collect other information, such as your submissions and other communications with us. We will retain and use this information for consultation purposes, including communications and analysis in connection with the Program. We will not disclose your personal information to third parties unless authorised by law and if we include your submissions in any public report we will not identify you. Providing your personal information is voluntary but if you do not provide it we may not include you on our stakeholder database and you might miss further consultation opportunities. Your personal information will be held by us and you can contact us to access or correct it. Please email us at whtbl@transport.nsw.gov.au, write to us at Transport for NSW, Locked Bag 928, North Sydney NSW 2059, or call us on 1800 931 189.

Artarmon

14 January 2021

Cammeray

14 January 2021

Seaforth/Killarney Heights/Frenchs Forest

19 January 2021

Northbridge/Willoughby

19 January 2021

Balgowlah

20 January 2021

Mosman/Middle Harbour

20 January 2021

Mosman/Middle Harbour

8 February 2021

Northbridge/Willoughby

8 February 2021

Seaforth/Killarney Heights/Frenchs Forest

9 February 2021

Air Quality session

9 February 2021

Balgowlah

10 February 2021

Cammeray

10 February 2021

Virtual information sessions

Select below to watch a replay.

Mosman/Middle Harbour 8 Feb 2021
Northbridge/Willoughby 8 Feb 2021
Seaforth/Killarney Heights/Frenchs Forest 9 Feb 2021
Air Quality session 9 Feb 2021

Artarmon 14 Jan 2021
Cammeray 14 Jan 2021
Seaforth/Killarney Heights/Frenchs Forest 19 Jan 2021
Northbridge/Willoughby 19 Jan 2021
Balgowlah 20 Jan 2021
Mosman/MiddleHarbour 20 Jan 2021

Virtual information sessions

We are committed to continuing to work with you and to adapting to the changing circumstances around COVID-19.

Reservations for the February 2021 sessions have now closed. You can watch the recorded sessions online by clicking on the button below.

Watch the recorded sessions

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Next Steps

The Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) public exhibition period has now closed. Transport for NSW thanks all those who have made submissions.

The EIS was on public exhibition from 9 December 2020 to 1 March 2021. The exhibition period of 61 days* was in line with the EIS exhibition period for both the WestConnex M4-M5 Link and Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade projects.

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) will now collate all the submissions made and publish them on the Major Projects website and provide them to Transport for NSW requesting the preparation of a Submissions Report.

Transport for NSW will prepare the Submissions Report to respond to the issues raised. Transport for NSW will lodge the Submissions Report with DPIE to help inform the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces’ decision on the project. The Submissions Report will be published on the DPIE Major Projects website.

If the project is approved it will be constructed and operated in accordance with the EIS, Submissions Report and the Minister’s Conditions of Approval.

The EIS exhibition and submissions process is handled by the DPIE. If you have any feedback in regards to the EIS submissions process, please contact them on majorprojectssupport@planning.nsw.gov.au.

*NOTE: The period from 20 December 2020 to 10 January 2021 (inclusive) is not included in the 61 days.

Make a submission

To make a submission on the Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection Environmental Impact Statement, use the online form. All submissions received will be placed on the DPIE website.

The public consultation and submission period closes on 11.59pm, Monday 1 March 2021.

For a video tutorial on how to make a submission on the DPIE website click here.

To watch a video tutorial about how you can subscribe to receive timely, project-related alerts click here.

If you want DPIE to delete your personal information before publication, please make this clear at the top of your letter.

At-property noise treatment

We understand noise can be a source of disruption to local communities during the construction and operation of major road projects. To minimise the impact of our project on local residents, we are delivering at-property noise treatment to eligible properties. Noise treatment refers to architectural acoustic measures which aim to improve the sound resistance of properties, such as window and door upgrades.

We have developed a Noise Insulation Program which outlines the criteria and process for delivering noise treatment to affected properties as part of the project.

Providing at-property treatment is a complex process and involves a number of different steps. To learn more, see our fact sheet.

We are starting the process of delivering noise treatment before the project is approved so residents benefit from reduced noise as early as possible.

Community update — June 2019 thumbnail

Noise Insulation Program

Community update — June 2019 thumbnail

Fact Sheet: Noise Insulation Program

RSVP for a virtual information session

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We are committed to continuing to work with you and to adapting to the changing circumstances around COVID-19.

Following on from our virtual information sessions in January, we have listened to your feedback and our location-specific sessions will focus only on questions and answers. In addition, we will be running a session focused on Air Quality, during which there will be a presentation followed by time for questions and answers.

The sessions will be recorded and made available soon after on our interactive portal.

Watch previous recorded sessions

Simply fill in the details below and select a suitable session. RSVPs close at 10.00 am on the morning of each session. Please be sure to submit your RSVP by that time in order to receive your link to join.
You will receive an email confirming your registration and containing instructions for next steps.


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Thank you for registering for one of our virtual information sessions. We look forward to meeting with you online. For any other enquires, contact the project team on 1800 931 189 or whtbl@transport.nsw.gov.au

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Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway upgrade Tender Hub - Contact us

We are happy to coordinate virtual tutorials to explain the tools and techniques of the model as required.

Please raise a question in the RFT Data Room should you require any additional support.

Contact the Beaches Link team

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Use this form to ask the project team a question about Beaches Link and Gore Hill Freeway Connection. Alternatively, please call 1800 931 189.






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Thank you for submitting your feedback and subscription form. You are now in our stakeholder database and will be informed of the project updates if you have selected to subscribe.

Any feedback you have provided will be considered in our next steps.

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What is an EIS?

The EIS assesses the potential environmental and social impacts of the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade during construction and operation. The EIS also includes strategies to avoid, mitigate and manage the potential impacts of the project.

In the EIS, we cover topics such as traffic and transport, air quality, noise and vibration, construction and biodiversity impacts.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) placed the EIS on exhibition from 29 January to 30 March 2020. This closing date was extended from 12 March following feedback from the community. During this time everyone had the opportunity to make submissions on the project. We are now working on a submissions report to respond to the issues raised. This report will be made public. All submissions made to DPIE are available on their website.

Make a submission

Have your say on Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade

How to make an online submission:

  1. Visit DPIE’s Major Projects website at planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects
  2. Create a user account by clicking the ‘Sign In’ icon in the top right of the homepage or under the ‘Services’ tab and then click the ‘Have Your Say’ link
  3. When you are logged in, find the Western Harbour Tunnel and Warringah Freeway Upgrade project, and click the ‘Make a Submission’ icon.

How to make a hard copy submission:

You can submit a hard copy of your submission. If you want DPIE to delete your personal information before publication, please make this clear at the top of your letter. You need to include:

  1. your name and address, at the top of the letter only
  2. the name of the application and application number: SSI_8863
  3. a statement on whether you support or object to the proposal
  4. the reasons why you support or object to the proposal
  5. a declaration of any reportable political donations made in the previous two years.

You can hand deliver your submission to DPIE’s office, located at:

4 Parramatta Square, 12 Darcy Street
Parramatta NSW 2150

You can post your submission to:

Attention: Director, Transport Assessments
Planning & Assessment, Department of Planning
Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5022
Parramatta NSW 2124

Submissions must be received by DPIE before midnight 30 March 2020.

Filter the EIS

Select the topics you are interested in reading about

Biodiversity
Construction
Public transport
Non Aboriginal heritage
Noise and vibration
Water quality
Flooding
Soil quality
Sustainability
Waste
Climate change

Related chapters

Select from topics of interest above

Chapter 1

Introduction

Read

Key topics

Chapter 6

Construction work

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 7

Stakeholder and community engagement

Read

Key topics

Biodiversity

Chapter 8

Construction traffic and transport

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 9

Operational traffic and transport

Read

Key topics

Traffic

Chapter 10

Construction noise and vibration

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 11

Operational noise and vibration

Read

Key topics

Noise and vibration

Chapter 13

Human health

Read

Key topics

Health and safety

Chapter 14

Non-Aboriginal heritage

Read

Key topics

Non Aboriginal heritage

Chapter 15

Aboriginal heritage

Read

Key topics

Aboriginal heritage

Chapter 16

Geology soils and groundwater

Read

Key topics

Soil quality

Chapter 17

Hydrodynamics and water quality

Read

Key topics

Water quality

Chapter 18

Flooding

Read

Key topics

Flooding

Chapter 19

Biodiversity

Read

Key topics

Biodiversity

Chapter 20

Land use and property

Read

Key topics

Sustainability

Chapter 21

Social and economics

Read

Key topics

Sustainability

Chapter 22

Urban design and visual amenity

Read

Key topics

Sustainability

Chapter 23

Hazards and risks

Read

Key topics

Construction

Chapter 24

Resource use and waste management

Read

Key topics

Waste

Chapter 26

Climate change risk and adaptation

Read

Key topics

Climate change

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

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Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program

Indicative construction program