Rail connections are essential for attracting and retaining key investors, says Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC).
In welcoming plans for new employment hubs in western Sydney, president Tony Hadchiti said:
“We need to make the most of these opportunities by ensuring that the north-south rail line is built sooner rather than later.
“West Hoxton and Wetherill Park are just the latest investments along the corridor of opportunity stretching from the Hawkesbury to Campbelltown in the south,” he said.
“Rail, supporting both freight and commuter transit would have a multiplier effect on jobs and accelerate investment in the region, by offering increased certainty and operational efficiencies for business seeking to invest in Western Sydney,” Hadchiti said.
“Connectivity is a key issue for business owners moving west.
“It is key for operations and logistics as well as for attracting quality employees,” he said.
“As we observed recently, in the case of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, poor public transport connections can have a significant impact on whether or not a major employer chooses to invest and stay in the region,” he said.
“We want the state government to learn from that mistake and ensure that future employment hubs are well serviced by rail connections,” he said.
“As Minister Stokes points out, Sydney is growing and we need to ensure we are constantly working to improve congestion from freight and commuter transit,” Hadchiti said.
“We cannot do what we have done in the past and expect a different outcome. Transport needs to come first; jobs and housing will follow.”
