Digital Train Radio System Como Site Review of Environmental ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Executive Summary Need for the Proposal RailCorp currently operates an analogue train radio system known as MetroNet for operational communications between signallers and train drivers. This system has reached the end of its serviceable life and requires replacement. The New South Wales Government and RailCorp have begun work on the implementation of a Digital Train Radio System (DTRS) which will replace this analogue system and address a number of recommendations from the Waterfall Special Commission of Inquiry (WSCOI). The DTRS will be a secure digital train radio system designed to provide reliable voice and data communications on a Global Systems Mobile – Railway (GSM-R) platform. The DTRS will provide 100% radio coverage for approximately 1455 kilometres of the RailCorp electrified network as well as in 66 tunnels covering approximately 70 kilometres and has an expected design life of at least 15 years. UGL Infrastructure has been contracted to design and construct the DTRS Proposal Description The Como base transceiver station (BTS) will be installed on a mild slope in an open, grassy area within the rail corridor as part of the DTRS project. The new BTS will be situated approximately 12.6 metres east of the south-bound track and 800 metres north of Como railway station. It will provide communications coverage for a 4.65 kilometre section of track for trains travelling between Oatley and Jannali on the Illawarra Line. Construction will take approximately six weeks. The proposal will involve the following. • a 25 metre high monopole, with a 1.5 metre high lightning rod at the top; • two Argus panel antennas mounted on the monopole; • power and BTS cabinets located on a slab two metres from the monopole; • conduit feeder cables to connect to the existing power and fibre supply, installed at a depth of at least 600 millimetres; • new isolating transformer, meter cabinet and distribution board as part of the power connections. • other associated and necessary activities to ensure the proper functioning of the RailCorp radio communications facility including earthing, safe access, signage and bollards for vehicle protection.
Approval Process The proposal is being assessed under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) which requires RailCorp to consider the environmental impacts of the proposal. This Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been prepared to address the requirements of the EP&A Act. It assesses the potential environmental impacts of the proposal within the context of Clause 228 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 and the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act). The requirements of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) are also considered. Environmental Impact Assessment The impacts resulting from construction and operation of the facility have been assessed in this REF. This REF concludes that, subject to the implementation of mitigation measures, potential environmental impacts can be controlled and reduced to acceptable levels, therefore work will not compromising the health, diversity and productivity of the environment for the benefit of future generations. The main environmental issues relate to construction impacts such as erosion and sedimentation risks as well as short-term traffic, air quality and noise impacts for nearby receivers. The proposed site is in a recreation area, close to the Como Marina. The heritagelisted Como rail bridge has been converted to a pedestrian/bike path and is close to the site. However, given that the works are to take place in the rail corridor and are of a temporary nature (i.e. less than six weeks), impacts to surrounding land uses are expected to be minor. In the long term, a new monopole will be introduced into the visual landscape. The antennas and monopole will not be bulky and will be partially screened by the vegetation along the rail corridor; however the top of the monopole may be visible to residents and recreational visitors. Electromagnetic energy (EME) impacts have also been considered and the EME levels for the proposal will be well within the limits set by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Environmental Management The proposed control measures described at the end of each environmental impact section in this REF will be incorporated into a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). The following sub plans are proposed in the REF and will be prepared concurrently with CEMP: • Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan; and • Traffic Management Plan. The CEMP and sub plans will be reviewed by RailCorp before construction begins.
Page 1 and 2: Digital Train Radio System Como Sit
Page 3: 4.6 Heritage ......................
Page 7 and 8: DTRS systems are now widely used as
Page 9 and 10: Como) at 2 Cremona Road are listed
Page 11 and 12: obligations under the State Environ
Page 13 and 14: 2 Statutory Position and Requiremen
Page 15 and 16: This SEPP protects and preserves bu
Page 17 and 18: The proposed work is to be undertak
Page 19 and 20: Referral to the Commonwealth Minist
Page 21 and 22: 3 Description of the Proposal Scope
Page 23 and 24: 3.1.4 Fibre Optics A new fibre opti
Page 25 and 26: • Multimeter • Hand digging too
Page 27 and 28: • It is the only rail-specific co
Page 29 and 30: 4 Environmental Impact and Risks 4.
Page 31 and 32: • sewage from site amenities; and
Page 33 and 34: 4.4 Biodiversity Existing Situation
Page 35 and 36: Construction is expected to take be
Page 37 and 38: 4.6 Heritage Existing Situation A s
Page 39 and 40: • spoil from excavation; • conc
Page 41 and 42: 4.9 Hazardous Materials Existing Si
Page 43 and 44: small number with direct views of t
Page 45 and 46: Possible Control Measures Visual im
Page 47 and 48: Potential Impacts EME levels emitte
Page 49 and 50: 4.17 Demand on Resources Constructi
Page 51 and 52: Clause 228 Factor Impacts Comments
Page 53 and 54: 4.20 Summary of Control Measures La
Page 55 and 56:
arranged to determine the significa
Page 57 and 58:
elocations or readjustments. Light
Page 59 and 60:
Appendix 1: Principles from the Tel
Page 61 and 62:
Principal (c) Towers may be extende
Page 63 and 64:
Principal (h) Where practical, work
Page 65 and 66:
Appendix 2: Design Plans Refer atta
Page 67 and 68:
Released By: Robert Mahood UGL Infr
Page 69 and 70:
Released By: Robert Mahood UGL Infr
Page 71 and 72:
Appendix 3: Database Searches Extra
Page 73 and 74:
NPWS - Atlas of NSW Wildlife http:/
Page 75 and 76:
NPWS - Atlas of NSW Wildlife http:/
Page 77 and 78:
AHIMS Web Services (AWS) Search Res
Page 79 and 80:
Heritage Branch Website - Online Da
Page 81 and 82:
Australian Heritage Database http:/
Page 83 and 84:
Australian Heritage Database http:/
Page 85 and 86:
EPBC Act Protected Matters Report:
Page 87 and 88:
Critical Habitats: Commonwealth Res
Page 89 and 90:
Migratory Species [ Resource Inform
Page 91 and 92:
Dermochelys coriacea Leatherback Tu
Page 93 and 94:
collated from government wildlife a
Page 95 and 96:
Appendix 4: Electro-Magnetic Energy
Page 97 and 98:
Existing Site Radio Systems There a
show all

Digital Train Radio System Como Site Review of Environmental ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?