Traffic pollution and the Lane Cove Tunnel

By Kate Schneider, News.com.au journalist and UTS journalism graduate.

14 April 2006

Un-filtered tunnel raises concern


Marden Street, Artarmon, and Sirius Road, Lane Cove West, ventilation control buildings (stacks)

Concern has been raised by the Lane Cove Council, community groups and residents of Lane Cove and surrounding areas that the unfiltered Lane Cove Tunnel will negatively impact the health of the community.

The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) has refused to use in-tunnel filtration technology, while the State Government has rejected the Federal Government’s $10 million contribution towards filtration.

Despite NSW Roads Minister Carl Scully announcing on March 14 2004 that world class tunnel filtration technology used in Japan will be trialled in a Sydney motorway, action has not yet been taken.


In-tunnel filtration involves the removal of fine particles from the tunnel air using electrostatic precipitators. The Lane Cove Council and the Lane Cove Tunnel Action Group (LCTAG) believe the health impacts of failing to filter the Lane Cove Tunnel will be of great cost to the community in the future.

Two pollutants threaten the health of motorists in the tunnel and residents near unfiltered stacks. Firstly, fine and ultra-fine particles can lodge deep in the lungs where they behave like gases, often passing into the bloodstream. They can cause heart disease and lung cancer.

Secondly, increased levels of nitrogen dioxide pose a health risk especially in closed environment such as tunnels. It can trigger severe asthma attacks. Other potential health problems include increased coughing and eye irritation.


LCTAG says that depending on the wind direction the two stacks currently being built will shower Lane Cove, parts of Artarmon and Chatswood West with poisonous pollution.

John Lee, the Director of Major Projects at Lane Cove Council, says there is a need for filtration as people may be exposed to high levels of pollutants.

“We are travelling longer in polluted tunnels, add to that the congestion in the road” he said.

He also says there is great secrecy surrounding the project, and that the government haven’t been keeping up their duty of care. He believes the poor handling of the project will see a huge cost to the community in future health care.

“Undoubtably the health impacts will be huge in the future,” he said. “Anyone who is likely to be in the influence of the plume (unfiltered pollution from the stack) and suffers from concentrates of the plume is likely to seek medical attention, as a minimum. There is a lot of evidence that suggests there is a general link between poor health and vehicle emissions.

“I am concerned about our residents.”


This is a position echoed by Glenda McSorley from LCTAG. “The emission comes down and moves like a wave – there is a real concern for the community and their health” she said.

She says the government should be doing more to ensure in-tunnel filtration is used in Sydney’s tunnels. “It comes down to duty of care. The government can’t knowingly make a decision that will be detrimental to the country.”

A spokesperson from Theiss John Holland, the company building the tunnel, says the company has no position on filtration as it is a decision left to the RTA. The spokesperson says that in-tunnel filtration is not a proven technology.

“Of course if we had a concern about air quality we would make it known… the air filtration technology is controversial” the spokesperson said.


However, the spokesperson, who is a Lane Cove resident, recognises the need for filtered tunnels.

“Of course everyone is sensitive about air quality. All the other tunnels should be filtered too," she said. "They want filtered tunnels, it’s fair enough.”

It has recently been revealed that residents near the Lane Cove Tunnel have been offered air ventilators designed for highly polluted regions. This has added to the concern about air quality.

The ventilation stacks, located in Sirius Road Lane Cove West and Marden Street Artarmon, are nearing completion.

By Kate Schneider
21-04-2006

These stickers which read "Unfiltered Tunnels Poison People" were publised by LCTAG and half a million copies have been distributed.

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