This section provides information about the list of people, lobby groups, and major organisations that are involved with the current proposals, or who we feel should be concerned with the project.

The organisations marked with an asterisk (*) indicates that there is a link provided on our links page.

There are many key players involved in the proposals for the stacks.

Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA)*

The RTA is the NSW Government arm for road construction, safety, traffic, registration and transport. Its mission statement reads;

In the delivery of best transport outcomes we will balance the needs of public transports passengers, cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and commercial vehicles.

One of the ways the mission statement can be achieved, according to the RTA website, is by being environmentally responsible. However the proposal of unfiltered exhaust stacks raises the question of how environmentally responsible the proposal is. The RTA will have the final say in the construction of the proposed tunnels, as well as the proposed unfiltered exhaust stacks.

The RTA conducted an International Ventilation Workshop in June of this year which highlighted alternatives to the use of unfiltered exhaust stacks.

The RTA has so far provided very little information on this issue, claiming that there are more important aspects to deal with for NSW roads. This also goes against another claim of achieving their mission statement, that being "working with innovation, openness and integrity".

Residents Against Polluting Stacks (RAPS) *

As the name suggests the RAPS organisation is a community based lobby group opposed to the construction of the exhaust stack in the Turrella Valley. RAPS supports the tunnel proposal.

RAPS are concerned with the risks associated with the stack to be built near residential developments and a regional park. They also feel that the lack of an EIS into the tunnel is a politically motivated decision rather than an engineering one. RAPS believes that there are cleaner alternatives for tunnel emission.

RAPS started around 1997/8 and has steadily gained a growing supporter base. This has been supported by increased media attention from major news sources.

RAPS has held constant rallies, peaceful demonstration and the like in order to drum up media support. Rallies constantly attract 500 plus people, indicating the level of community amongst.

RAPS has had little success in our opinion of effectively campaigning against the stack proposal for the M5 East tunnel. The lobby group has been extremely active in raising awareness of the issue but has lacked the ability to influence the NSW Government.

RAPS meet every Tuesday night at 7.30pm in the Bardwell Park RSL Club.

Harris Community Centre

The Harris Community Centre have been actively involved in informing the local community of the Cross City Tunnel through initating public meetings, lobbying council and other politicians, in response to the EIS on the CCT since its release in August 2000.

Sydneysiders Against Polluting Stacks

SAPS (Sydneysiders Against Polluting Stacks) are responsible for the campaign against the proposal of the stack for the Cross City Tunnel.

SAPS are a small, newly established group of residents who have been trying to lobby council, state government and inform other residents in the Ultimo Pyrmont, Darling Harbour and Haymarket areas of the problem of the Cross City Tunnel.

They have been active in keeping the local newspaper informed on the issue, and in keeping the issue alive at local precinct committee meetings. They have also discussed the issue with UTS Journalism students, which has been reported in "The Point" newspaper on several occassions.

NSW State Government *

The NSW Government is the body responsible for the funding of the RTA. At present the Minister for Roads and Transport is the Hon. Carl Scully MP.

The Government seems to have largely ignored the consequences of the stack proposal. While they seem to have gained support for the tunnel proposal, they face strong opposition from the community.

Canterbury City Council *

This council has been very active in this area with regard to the M5 East. This has been the result of pressure from RAPS and other anti-tunnel groups in the area. As part of that pressure the Council commissioned the Child Report on the M5E. To read the Executive Summary of this report, click here.

These are the people who should be concerned about the proposal, or should be having more of an impact on the stack proposal.

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) *

The EPA was established in 1992 and is responsible for regulating the environment. It is the primary public sector organisation. According to the EPA, their 2 objectives are:

- to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the environment in NSW, having regard to the need to maintain ecologically sustainable development

- to reduce the risks to human health and prevent the degradation of the environment.

The EPA has remained relatively quiet on the issue of unfiltered exhaust emissions. This may be as a result of its relation to the NSW Government. However we feel they should become more active in their assessment of the proposals, thus pressuring the Government into rethinking its current position.

The EPA can get this started by calling for EIS into the M5 East single stack proposal.

Ultimo Precinct Committee (UPC)

This committee is responsible for providing community opinions on issues that affect the region. At this stage the UPC has voiced minor opposition to the proposal. This has been done through the local newspaper and at its Committee meetings.

City of Sydney Council (CSC)

The council has not yet voiced its concerns over the Darling Harbour stack. As the major council of Sydney it will need to strongly oppose the construction of the stack. However with this council likely to support the tunnel proposal, it may be reserved in expressing its real concerns.

Tourism NSW

Tourism NSW is the marketing and policy agency for the NSW Government. Due to its close links to the Government we feel that they should be targeted in an attempt to stop the stack proposal at Darling Harbour.

As part of our communication strategy we will be making a submission to Tourism NSW to indicate the detrimental effects of an unfiltered exhaust stack on the Darling Harbour tourism industry

Lane Cove Tunnel Group

This is the lobby group for the construction of the Lane Cove tunnel linking the M2 to the Gore Hill freeway. This group also supports the construct of a tunnel. However the construction of one, two or three unfiltered exhaust stacks may have a negative impact on the health and environmental aspects of the area.

As the proposal for the construction of the tunnel nears, this organization will need to voice its concerns over the stacks louder than it currently is. This can be done by targeting the company that has designed the tunnel proposal.

Residents

Residents of suburbs surrounding the stacks will play a key role in stopping the building of these stacks. By constantly opposing the construction of the stacks, achieved through writing letters to the editor, letters to their local and State MPs, threatening to vote for other parties and supporting existing groups in their area, will put the Government on notice to come up with better alternatives to an unfiltered exhaust stack..

Small Business

This group is similar to those of residents. They must pressure the Government into opposing the construction of the stack, especially in relation to the stack at Darling Harbour.