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

The heritage-listed Como rail bridge that extends across the Georges River is to the north of the
proposed site and has been converted to a pedestrian and bike path, connecting Oatley to
Como.
The site within the Sutherland Local Government Area (LGA) and the proposed work will be
undertaken on land in the Zone 21 – Railway area.
Land around the site is used for the purposes listed below.
• To the north is the rail corridor, the heritage-listed Como rail bridge (which has now been
converted to a pedestrian/bike path) and the Georges River.
• To the east is the Como Marina and Scylla Bay.
• To the south-east the railway plateau, covered with a bank of trees, falls steeply towards
the pedestrian/bike path, the Como Marina and associated businesses, the Como Pleasure
Grounds and Como swimming complex.
• To the south is a substation, Scylla Bay Reserve and a number of residential dwellings
along Cremona Road. The nearest residential receivers are approximately 240 metres from
the proposed site.
• To the south-west are residential dwellings on Como Parade and Central Parade, the
nearest residential receivers are approximately 100 metres away.
• To the west are the rail corridor and the Georges River.
Access to the site is off Cremona Road through the existing railway gate which is opposite the
entrance to Como Marina. The gate is suitable for construction vehicle access.
The climate in the area is similar to other parts of the Sydney Basin. The area experiences
extremes of climate, having a peak monthly precipitation of 114.2 millimetres in February and
the lowest rainfall in September with an average of 52.5 millimetres. The majority of the annual
rainfall occurs in the summer months. The area experiences daily average temperatures varying
from 12.3 to 21.4 degrees.
The vegetation communities around the Georges River are primarily influenced by the
distribution of shale (Cumberland Plain) and sandstone (Woronora Plateau) geologies and
dominated by banksias, eucalyptus trees and several wattle species. RailCorp’s vegetation
maps indicate a bush regeneration area in the vicinity of the BTS site.
The immediate surrounding area drains into the Georges River. The site is approximately seven
kilometres from Towra Point Nature Reserve, which is a registered Ramsar site and a wetland
of international importance.
The proposed site is also is in close proximity to a number of heritage items. The Como rail
bridge is listed on the Register of the National Estate, State Heritage Register, RailCorp’s
Section 170 Heritage and Conservation Register and the Sutherland Local Environmental Plan
(LEP). The Como Pleasure Grounds and the Como Riviera Coffee Lounge (formerly Café de