Metro West and the north-south rail link between Campbelltown and Rouse Hill via Badgerys Creek, should be the two top transport priorities for the State Government, according to the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue.
“Western Sydney deserves these two rail projects, along with a complete Parramatta light rail network that extends to Epping and Rhodes. We shouldn’t have to choose between the two,’’ says Dialogue chairman Christopher Brown.
“We appreciate the cross political support from NSW Transport Minister Constance and Opposition Leader Luke Foley and urge NSW Treasury and the Commonwealth to provide funding for this project which will then generate billions of dollars of private sector capital via value contribution,’’ he said.
“The urban renewal opportunities that these rail projects will catalyse over the coming decades are too important to miss.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“And if we want to have these links in place by the time the Western Sydney Airport opens in 2026, then things need to ramp up pretty quickly.”[/social_quote]
The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment to consult with community and industry on the Metro West rail project.
Mr Brown said he was hopeful that the consultation process for the Metro West, connecting the Sydney CBD to Westmead via the Bays Precinct at Rozelle, Sydney Olympic Park, Camellia and Parramatta, would also explore funding and value-capture options.
“The Metro West is a transformative project that will connect two of Australia’s major commercial zones, while also fast-tracking jobs, urban renewal and investment along the Olympic Corridor,’’ he said.
“The clock is firmly ticking on this project, especially when you consider the current capacity issues on the Western Line and a rapidly expanding population that desperately needs efficient transport links that connects our region’s growth areas.
“This steel spine for Sydney is also needed by 2025 to support a potential Western Sydney bid for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.’’
