Figure 8.3 Annual Average Daily Traffic – Edithvale Traffic data indicates that morning and afternoon peak hour traffic volumes on Nepean Highway, Station Street and Edithvale Road near the level crossing are less than the typical capacity for this type of road (which is considered an urban road with interrupted flow). Site observations found that vehicles travelling through the Nepean Highway, Station Street and Edithvale Road intersections are subject to delays under the current operation of the intersections and boom gates. Traffic signal data indicates the boom gates are down for an average of 42 minutes during the weekday morning peak between 7-9am. The duration of boom gate closures invites risk-taking behaviour from road users trying to ‘beat’ the red lights and boom gates to avoid lengthy waits. This behaviour is likely to compound as population growth places further demand on the road and rail networks. At Edithvale, long queues were seen during traffic observations, however each approach to the intersections cleared almost every time after the boom gates were raised apart from the north approach on Nepean Highway. Statistics provided by Transport Safety Victoria and the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator for the Edithvale level crossing indicate that in the 10-year period ending on the 31 December 2014 there was one fatal collision between a train and road vehicle and seven near miss incidents between a train and pedestrian. Statistics taken from VicRoads’ Crashstats database for the same period indicate that there were 11 casualty crashes that did not involve a train, recorded within 20 metres of the level crossing on Edithvale Road. Three bus routes (numbers 706, 858 and 902) travel along Station Street, however none use the level crossing. The 858 and 902 bus routes also use Edithvale Road.
Table 8.24 Ecology risks – construction Risk ID Risk name Risk pathway Final EPRs Residual Risk E42 Native vegetation removal Removal of native vegetation (patches and scattered trees) within the project area, impacting native vegetation extent EPR FF1 Native vegetation and habitat Minor E43 Removal of protected flora Loss of protected flora species from within the project area reducing the abundance of that species EPR FF2 FFG permits Minor E44 Removal of habitat for threatened species Removal of habitat for threatened flora and/or fauna species within the project area affecting the persistence of the species. No EPR specified Negligible E45 Removal of habitat (non- threatened fauna) Removal of habitat resulting in the displacement, injury or death of wildlife protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 causing animal welfare concerns. EPR FF4 Fauna EPR FF6 Landscaping for wildlife EPR UD1 Urban Design Guidelines Minor E46 Disturbance to fauna (project areas) Increase in noise, vibration and artificial light affecting fauna behaviour within or adjacent to project area resulting in a decline in fauna abundance and/or diversity EPR AQ1 Air quality (construction) EPR AQ2 Air quality management EPR NV2 Construction noise EPR SW1 Stormwater management – construction EPR LV2 Lighting EPR LV3 Light spillage Negligible E47 Threatening process (weeds, pathogens, pests) Spread of weeds listed under the CaLP Act resulting in the decline in quality of native vegetation in the rail corridor adjacent to the project area. Spread, or introduction, of pathogens/ pest animals resulting in the exacerbation of a threatening process listed under the FFG Act and EPBC Act. EPR FF3 Weeds and pathogens Negligible E48 Threatening process (habitat fragmentation) Fragmentation of the narrow habitat corridor within and beyond the rail reserve, resulting in the exacerbation of a threatening process listed under the FFG Act EPR FF1 Native vegetation and habitat EPR FF6 Landscaping for wildlife EPR UD1 Urban Design Guidelines Minor