Opening of the Lane Cove Tunnel

On the 25th of March, the opening day of the Lane Cove Tunnel, a group of around 30 protesters dressed in black met at Reserve Road, Artarmon, to mourn what they consider the loss of clean air. MAD AS organizer Alex Burke led the protest, saying “we are holding a memorial service for the loss of clean air… It’s such a sad day for us.”

Not even the pouring rain could dampen MAD AS's determination to make their unhappiness known to tunnel operators and the public. Dani Finch, MAD AS treasurer, spoke passionately about their sorrow. “Members of the community have been strong and unified in their cries for sanity to prevail. Today we mourn that our efforts have been in vain. Today the Lane Cove Tunnel opens. And we the community of the lower North Shore are not smiling.


"From today fine particle pollution from which there is no safe level of exposure pumps out of stacks straight onto our homes, our workplaces our schools and our hospitals. From today we are at a greatly increased risk of asthma, cancer, heart attack. Our precious children are at much greater risk… MAD AS will not rest in peace until the Lane Cove Tunnel is filtered.”

Arizona Nicolls and Alex Burke.

Heads were then bowed in a minute’s silence. Arizona Nicholls, 11, held an 'RIP clean air' sign while ‘mourners’ laid flowers. She was one of few children present, in contrast to MAD AS's last rally at Deputy Premier Mr Watkins office in Ryde. This protest was considered too dangerous for children as it was held on the road-side. Indeed, protesters and the media spilled onto the road throughout most of the protest.

MAD AS member Elizabeth Court inspired the protestors as she circled the area in a hearse complete with a trailer carrying a coffin. Speaking through a loadspeaker, she emphasized that it’s not too late to filter the Lane Cove Tunnel. Several protesters followed in cars behind which were covered in posters demanding filtration.

After waiting until after 12:30 horns were sounded and people called for the tunnel to be opened. The tunnel was opened briefly and the first car, a black Saab, drove through the tunnel.

However it was closed again shortly afterwards, a towtruck blocking the Reserve Road entry. This mishap was due to confusion about when to open the tunnel. Poor communication between the tunnel operators had already been displayed. Many speculated that it was opened to get rid of the protesters and the cars who were sounding their horns.

The towtruck that blocked the intersection.

By Kate Schneider
25-03-2007

Newsflash - Burney Tunnel Fire

These are pictures courtesy of the Melbourne Age and the ABC after a multiple vehicle accident in the tunnel caused a fire which led to toxic fumes being pumped out of the tunnel's stack. It shows how stacks pump out pollution into the atmosphere all around, not just straight up, as has been argued.

Dr Kearney, chairman of the Lane Cove Tunnel Action Group (LCTAG) says "The smoke from this tragic fire is a clear indication of the distribution of smoke discharge from a ventilation stack, and raises concerns about 'groundstrike'."

John Lee, Director of Major Projects at Lane Cove Council, agrees that these photographs show pollution doesn't just dissipate up in the atromsphere. “We’re being sold that we shouldn’t worry about pollution as it goes up into the air. The Melbourne tunnel fire is a good example that the pollution isn’t going up in to the atmosphere.”

By Kate Schneider

23/03/2007

MAD AS message to Watkins

A group of around 50 school children and their parents protested outside Deputy Premier John Watkins’ Ryde office today. Organised by Mums and Dads Against Stacks (MAD AS), the children represented the 58 schools that are in the pollution zone two kilometres from the stacks of the Lane Cove Tunnel, which will open on Sunday.

Children from schools in Lane Cove West, Artarmon, Chatswood, Ryde, Willoughby, and Riverview chanted, laid flowers, lit candles and put up drawings and posters demanding filtration. At one point heads were bowed in a one-minute silence to think about the future impact the lack of filtration will have on affected children.

Mr Watkins has refused to meet with MAD AS to discuss the need for in-tunnel filtration. Elizabeth Court, MAD AS organizer, said that there has been no response from the State Government on this issue. She said that Mr Watkins in particular has been ignoring community concerns. “John Watkins doesn’t think it’s an issue… We thought as a representative of Ryde he’d want to speak with us.”

Mrs Court said that today's rally was primarily focused on the children, who are deemed 'at risk' from pollutants as they are still developing. Various studies have found that children, people with asthma, and the elderly to be most susceptible to health problems related to pollutants. She said that pollutants in Sydney are already exceeding recommended levels.

“We will speak on their (children’s) behalf." She said. "We’re asking the government today to filter the Lane Cove Tunnel. It’s not too late. The technology is there and it’s used overseas in many countries. The money is there, this is a billion dollar project. But the political will is not there… We need the political will to change.”

School child Sam Finch voiced his concerns about filtration; “We can get sick”.

Sam Finch, right, with Max.

“Today we’re teaching Mr Watkins that this is a very important issue and our kids breathe the same air that we do… Many of our kids are very upset, they can’t sleep, they’re having troubles really coming to terms with what’s going to happen to them in two days time when the tunnel opens.” Mrs Court said.

MAD AS plans further protests over the weekend.

By Kate Schneider
22-03-2007

MAD AS march attracts large crowd

The MAD AS march through Lane Cove on Sunday the 11th of March attracted a huge crowd and several local MPs. The issue of in-tunnel filtration was once again pushed to the political forefront. Filtration of the Lane Cove Tunnel, due to open in 13 days, has been a topic of great concern for years now, since the development proposals were released. People have seen the impact the M5 has had on resident’s and want to push the State government not to make the same mistake with the Lane Cove Tunnel.

The crowd were enthusiastic and the community spirit intense. Children and adults alike came together for the occasion, an opportunity to voice their concerns. It was a historic march, the first in Lane Cove to require rolling street closures. Most people came dressed in red holding banners, and some even dressed up in monster-like costumes.

With police support the rally proceeded up Longeville Road towards the Lane Cove Plaza where speeches were held by organizers, NSW Opposition leader Peter Debnam, local members such as Anthony Roberts, Ray Kearney and Mark Curran.

MAD AS member Alex Burke tied in the issue of filtration to the wider issue of climate change.

“The world is at a crossroads about the future of our environment,” she said.

Debate raged about rumoured news that the Greens would be preferencing Labour at the upcoming election. As Mr Debnam said; “This is an argument about public safety. The Greens are chiefly defending the Labour Party.”

This was surprising and infuriating for many as the Greens were out in full force at the march. Mr Debnam promised to fully filter the tunnel if elected, which was met with great applause.















Mr Longbottom voices his concern at the increased health risks associated with a lack of in-tunnel filtration; “The motor car kills in more ways than one… No one is immune from motor car pollution.”

Dr Kearney said we should learn a lesson from the Port Kembla scandal 10 years ago, where a 14% increase in leukemia was attributed to exposure to pollution coming out of the stacks from Kurnell. The NSW Government carried out an investigation that found benzine was not linked to an increase in diseases, which was in contradiction to other studies. In the case of the Lane Cove Tunnel, the NSW EPA found a ten fold increased risk of cancers in Lane Cove precinct. "We are being hoodwinked by the RTA propaganda" Dr Kearney warned.















Mr Curran emphasized the importance of using world’s best practice standards in our tunnels. “Current design rules are over 15 years old and they treat particles as though they are not a health hazard. They are completely out of date.” Mr Curran said.

Joe Hockey pointed out that it is rare to have a community rally in Lane Cove, and that residents should keep pushing for what is needed.

“This is the beginning not the end… filtration is not an optional extra… we have to have filtration,” Mr Hockey said.

By Kate Schneider
11-03-2007

MAD AS March

In the latest news regarding the Lane Cove Tunnel, Lane Cove based MAD AS (Mums and Dads Against Stacks) are preparing to march in protest against the State Government's ongoing refusal to filter the Lane Cove Tunnel. Thousands of residents are expected to take part in the community's first major rally.

The group has been intensively advertising the march with doorknocking and letterbox deliveries around the community.

The rally will be held at the Lane Cove Music and Cultural Centre on March 11 at 2pm and progress to Lane Cove Plaza for a sausage sizzle and live music. There will be rolling road closures and a police presense.

As the North Shore Times reported Alex Burke from MAD AS said it was important continue to get the message across despite the government's insistence that filtration isn't necessary.

"Our kids need to see us trying, we don't want them to think we didn't do enough to protect their health," Ms Burke said.

They will hold signs that have the number 58 encircled, representing the number of schools in the polluted zone, as well as writing stating there are 60,000 citizens in the polluted zone.

This event highlights the fact that residents are concerned about health impacts of pollution from the tunnel, which is now due to open the day after the State election this month, seeing current Premier Morris Iemma avoiding the fallout from what protesters argue will inevitably be very frustrated motorists.

For more information about the rally and MAD AS visit www.madas.net.au

By Kate Schneider

03-03-2007