Who is TIDC?
TIDC is a State Owned
Corporation, established to develop major public transport infrastructure
projects for the NSW Government. TIDC is
responsible for the planning, design
and construction of the Macdonaldtown Stabling Project.
Purpose and benefits of the
project
Many empty trains on
the CityRail network currently travel from
the Sydney CBD to Campbelltown to stable between the morning and evening peak periods. This means there
is a considerable amount of unnecessary traffic on the network, slowing down
other services, and increasing air and
noise pollution. By providing a stabling
facility close to the CBD, the project is expected to provide significant benefits to the rail
network including:
- improved
reliability – a reduction in network congestion will provide for improved on-time
running - increased
capacity – a reduction in empty trains on the network will allow for increased frequency of other train
services, which reduces crowding on trains
and provides more frequent services to public transport users.
Once
constructed, the facility will operate on a permanent 24-hour basis by RailCorp.
What will the project involve?
The main components of the project are:
- construction of an elevated earth embankment to match the grade of the existing turnback facility
-
construction of six new
rail sidings and three new rail turnouts -
provision
of overhead wiring infrastructure to support the new turnouts and sidings -
construction
of an amenities building to accommodate
staff -
construction
of access roads and parking facilities -
construction
of 6 metre noise walls on the southern and western
edges of the new rail sidings, and a 3 metre noise wall adjacent to Leamington Lane -
installation
of stormwater drainage and sewer infrastructure -
installation
of power supply for the amenities building and stabling lighting - landscaping works.
Review of Environmental Factors
TIDC engaged Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) to prepare the REF for
the project. The REF describes the project in detail, including indicative construction methods and details
of operation. It also assesses potential construction and operational environmental
impacts, and identifies appropriate mitigation and management strategies.
What are the impacts, and how will these be dealt with?
Noise
A noise and vibration study was undertaken by acoustic consultants Heggies Australia, to determine the likely
noise impacts during the construction and operation of the facility.
While there will be
some noise impacts during construction, noise control methods to minimise these
impacts will be adopted throughout the duration of the construction works.
Operational noise for the project was assessed against applicable
criteria. Operational noise mitigation measures include construction of
noise walls, as shown on the diagram, along with other mitigation measures.
Visual
Impact and Landscaping
A
visual impact and urban design study was undertaken as part of the REF by Darryl
Jackson Robin Dyke Architects. To
minimise visual impact of the facility and the proposed noise walls on
the local community, the following mitigation measures will be implemented:
- the retention of
much of the existing vegetative screen
along Burren Street, additional landscape planting, and a 2.4 metre high palisade fence on the interface
between the site and Burren Street - the amenities building will be single storey only
and set back from Burren Street - the noise walls and
amenities building will be well detailed, employing textured patterns and a non
reflective deep colour, to minimise visual impact.
Traffic
During construction,
the highest number of heavy-vehicle movements will
occur as fill material is imported to the site. However, it is expected that
this phase of construction will be completed in approximately 12 weeks.
To reduce truck movements in local streets, a temporary construction
access road off Erskineville Road
will be constructed. This provides
the shortest and most direct route
to the site, passing the fewest residential properties and will be used
for the majority of required truck movements.
Due to access restrictions of the temporary road, some vehicles will need to
access the site through the Burren
Street gate, via Charles Street.
Parking
will be provided on site for construction workers to avoid cars parking in local streets.
Operational
traffic impacts are expected to be minor, given the low staff numbers and
provision of on-site parking facilities for staff.
Construction
Management
An indicative 12 month
construction program has been prepared for the
stabling facility. Construction will be managed
in accordance with an environmental management plan to minimise impacts
on the environment and local community.
The majority of work on the site will be
from Mon-Fri (7am-6pm), and Sat (8am-1pm).
Some works will be undertaken during scheduled “rail
possessions” (shutdown of the local network) which typically occur over a weekend on a 24-hour basis. Any additional
construction works undertaken outside of normal construction hours will be subject to a separate approval by
TIDC.
Light Spill
A light spill assessment was undertaken by Webb Australia, to examine the potential
impact of both train lighting and pole-mounted lights at the facility.
The main source
of light spill will be generated by light fixtures located between the rail sidings.
Their impact is expected to be significantly
mitigated by the 6 metre noise walls around the stabling area perimeter,
which will effectively contain all light within the
facility. Lighting in
the car parking areas will be low intensity, and will not impact significantly
on residential receivers.
Train headlights are located 4 metres above
track level. With a 6
metre noise wall, and allowing for some diffusion of headlight beam, the light
spill impact is expected to be adequately mitigated. The provision of trees and
other landscaping along the Burren
Street frontage is expected to further minimise
the impact of light spill from the site.
Safety and Security
Security measures incorporated into the design
include automatic gates
to control vehicles and pedestrians entering
and departing the site, security fencing, alarm systems, closed circuit television cameras, emergency
communications, appropriate lighting, and car park security.
What happens next?
The REF is
on exhibition for 30 days at the display locations listed in this newsletter.
Members of the community are encouraged to
make written submissions on the project during this period. The
submissions received will be considered as part of a submissions report.
The concept designs presented in this brochure are subject to detailed design, which may result in changes to aspects,
including the detailed dimensions and the layout and location
of some elements.
This brochure serves as an overview only
and does not form part of the REF Readers
should refer to the REF for comprehensive information about the proposed
development at Macdonaldtown and the likely environmental impacts of this
development.
Display locations
The REF is on public display
from Wednesday 2 November 2005 to Friday 2
December 2005 at the following locations:
- Newtown Library, 8-10 Brown Street, Newtown (Mon &Wed 10am-7pm, Tues, Thurs & Fri
10am-6pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 12noon-4pm) - City of Sydney,
One Stop Shop, Town Hall House, 456
Kent Street, Sydney
(Mon-Fri 8am-6pm) - Neighbourhood Service Centre Redfern, Tower 2, 1 Lawson Square, Redfern (Mon-Fri
8am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-12noon) - Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation,
Level 7, Tower A (the Zenith Centre), 821
Pacific Highway, Chatswood (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5.30pm) - Department of Planning, 22-33 Bridge Street, Sydney
(Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) - Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Level 5, 362 Kent Street, Sydney
(Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm)
Community
information sessions
Project staff will be able to discuss the
project and the REF in more detail at Newtown Library, 8-10 Brown Street, Newtown,
on:
- 12 November 10am to l pm
- 24 November 4pm to 7pm
Have your say
The public is invited to comment on the
proposed Macdonaldtown Stabling Project
from 2 November 2005 to 2 December 2005. Comments can be submitted by
emailing mail@tidc.nsw.gov.au, or by
writing to:
Director Planning and
Environment
Transport
Infrastructure Development Corporation
Locked Bag 6501,
St Leonards
NSW 2065
For further information on the Macdonaldtown
Stabling Project call the TIDC Project Infoline: 1800 684 490 or visit
the website: www.tidc.nsw.gov.au [see http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/ArticlePage.aspx?PageID=210 – REDWatch]
[The Review of Environmental Factors Report (2.5 MB PDF) can be downloaded from http://www.tidc.nsw.gov.au/Documents/321_Macsum.pdf – REDWatch]