Monorail Removal Project - Review of Environmental Factors (REF)

Principle Definition CommentIntergenerationalequityThe principle states, ‘the presentgeneration should ensure that thehealth, diversity and productivity ofthe environment is maintained orenhanced for the benefit of futuregenerations’. In other words, weshould ensure that future generationsdo not inherit a degradedenvironment.The study area is a highly modified built urbanenvironment. No potential environmentalimpacts likely to impact on the health, diversityand productivity of the natural environment wereidentified. The community has identified thepotential for local impacts on flooding anddrainage, access, traffic and parking andeconomics. The REF includes recommendationsfor additional studies and further work to addressthe issues identified.Conservation ofbiologicaldiversity andecologicalintegrityImprovedvaluation,pricing andincentivemechanismsThis principle states that the ‘diversityof genes, species, populations andcommunities, as well as theecosystems and habitats to whichthey belong, must be maintained andimproved to ensure their survival’.This principle requires that ‘costs tothe environment should be factoredinto the economic costs of a project’.The study area is a highly modified built urbanenvironment. No potential impacts to biologicaldiversity and ecological integrity were identified.The proposal includes a number of designfeatures to minimise the potential for impactsand ensure the consistency of the design withrelevant standards and guidelines. Thesefeatures add to the economic cost of theproposal.GHD | Transport for NSW - Monorail Removal Project REF | 163