The Truth About the Lane Cove Tunnel

Following the return of the Labor Government The Greens have called for the Lane Cove Tunnel to be filtered.

Greens NSW MP-elect Dr John Kaye.Dr Kaye, who is now certain to join three other Greens MPs in the NSW Upper House, said: "The Iemma government can now back down from its anti-filtration stand without a damaging loss of face. With the election over, it is time to stop playing politics with the health residents of the Ryde to St Leonards area.

"It is also time for the government to admit that the air quality standards and monitoring they have put in place around the tunnel stacks are inadequate. These conditions are not appropriate for large point sources like tunnel stacks. They do not adequately measure the ultra-fine and sub micrometre particles.

"There is no debate about the respiratory health damage done by these tiny particles that can so easily penetrate deep into lungs with devastating consequences such as increased incidence of cancers and emphysema.

"In the absence of filtration, concentrations of these particles could rise to dangerous levels.

"The opening of the Tunnel will soon see residents under attack from plumes of tiny particles without any warning or protection.

Greens record on tunnel filtration

The Greens have consistently campaigned against motorway madness and for world's best practice in filtration of tunnels. We believe that in-tunnel filtration is the key to protecting public health.

Three times as many people die of air pollution in NSW than in traffic accidents (Parliamentary Inquiry into Health Impacts of Air Pollution). Air pollution from motor vehicles account for more than 500 early deaths in the Sydney Region per year and over 1000 hospital admissions. The health costs of ambient air pollution in the greater metropolitan region have been estimated to be between $1billion and $8.4 billion per annum (Dec 05). In Sydney, the health costs of motor-vehicle emissions alone are estimated to be between $600m and $1.5bn per annum.

Greens MP's track record in parliament:

The Greens have campaigned for best-practice filtration of tunnels through budget estimates, parliamentary question time, adjournment speeches, notices of motion and in the media. We have done calls for papers to release secret documents. We have also worked with community groups on filtration issues, including RAPS on the M5 East tunnel.
The Greens were instrumental in having LCT papers released (because of precedent we set with Cross City Tunnel papers). In 2003 and 2006, Lee moved motion to make publicly available all documents relating to the health impacts of breathing air in the M5 East, the CCT and the LCT.
Lee Rhiannon (Greens MLC) was on Lane Cove Tunnel Inquiry. She delivered a dissenting report after all other MPs on the inquiry refused to call on the Iemma government to filter the LCT. Lee moved a motion that all future road tunnels be built with in-tunnel filtration - all other members voted against. The other MPs on the Inquiry were: Fred Nile (CDP), Amanda Fazio (ALP), Greg Pearce (Libs), Andrew Constance (Lib), Paul McLeay (ALP_, Michael Daley (ALP), John Turner (Nat), Steven Pringle (Lib), Kristina Keneally (ALP). Lee's recommendations in dissenting report re filtration are below.
Sylvia Hale initiated the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Air Pollution.
Lee has given notice of a private members bill to limit the consent and planning powers of the RTA. At the moment, the RTA can make significant changes to development approvals, without exhibiting for public comment. After the LCT works were approve the RTA made an executive decision to change the tunnel ventilation design, increasing health risks, without consulting NSW Planning and Environment agencies or the public.

Greens candidate for Lane Cove, Shauna Forrest (left), Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (centre) and Greens Candidate for North Shore (Lynne Saville), discuss the failure of both Labor and Liberal parties to consistently support filtration of the Lane Cove Tunnel.

Both Labor and the Liberal party have accepted over $1 million each from the companies in the Lane Cove Tunnel consortium. THE GREENS have been a consistent voice in the NSW parliament for filtration of the Lane Cove Tunnel. For more publicly funded public transport and cycleways, not more motorway madness Vote 1 GREENS.

The Greens have the runs on the board!

Since 2000 the Greens have campaigned for in-tunnel filtration.
We work with community groups, including Residents Against Polluting Stacks (RAPS) on the M5 East tunnel, residents opposed to the Cross City Tunnel, the Lane Cove Tunnel Action Group and MADAS.
Greens MPs have asked questions in Parliament and budget estimates, gave adjournment speeches and moved notices of motion on the need for tunnel filtration.
In 2003 and 2006 we successfully called for secret Government documents about the Lane Cove tunnel to be publicly released.
In August 2006 Greens MP Lee Rhiannon made a dissenting report to the Lane Cove Tunnel Inquiry calling on the Government to filter the tunnel and to not erode bus, bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Labor and Liberal MPs and Fred Nile voted against the Greens motion calling for in-tunnel filtration of Lane Cove Tunnel.
The Greens then moved a motion calling for filtration on all road tunnels. Again, Labor and Liberal MPs and the Christian Democrats didn't support it.
Greens MP Sylvia Hale initiated the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Air Pollution.
Lee Rhiannon has given notice of a private members bill to limit the consent and planning powers of the RTA. At the moment, the RTA can make significant changes to development approvals, without exhibiting for public comment.

"If the Iemma government did the right thing and admitted they made a mistake by opposing filtration, their reputation would only grow in the eyes of the voters.

"When Kevin Rudd admitted he had was wrong to dine with Brian Burke, the voters appreciated his candour and honesty.

"It is time for Premier Iemma to use his win, take a leaf out of Kevin Rudd�s book and order immediate filtration of these stacks.

"Urban air quality is an increasingly alarming public health issue in Sydney and around NSW. Filtration and better investment in public transport are the best protection against the increasing plague of lung disease, Dr Kaye said.