Another project which ought to receive priority funding is the electrification of the rail line from Macarthur to Menangle, says the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue.
It suggests a third – extension of the Airport Metro line north to Marsden Park and south to Campbelltown – should also be funded.
Dialogue chairman Christopher Brown said funds generated from the impressive sale price of WestConnex should be used to fast track the development of the Metro West rail project.
With Western Sydney motorists paying for the motorway every day, it was only fair that they also receive the lion’s share of the $9.3b injection the State Government is set to collect.
“Treasurer Perrottet has achieved a great price for the 51 percent share of WestConnex, which needs to be reinvested back into Western Sydney infrastructure, and the Metro West should top the list,” Mr Brown said.
“Funding for Metro West is still to be defined and today’s billion-dollar boost will not only get the ball rolling, but also ensure that workers commuting from Western Sydney aren’t forced to battle traffic every day to get to their places of employment.
“The Metro West is the new ‘steel spine’ of our city.
“It will deliver an efficient east-west connection, and catalyse the economic, employment and urban growth of a number of key centres along the way, including development precincts like Sydney Olympic Park, Newington, Camellia and Westmead.
“It is a massive game-changer for the region, and we need to get on with the job of funding, planning and delivering this key piece of infrastructure.
“The WestConnex sale provides the State Government with the opportunity to do just that.”
The Dialogue also re-stated its position that significant Commonwealth funding should be provided for both Metro rail projects and that local landowners were prepared to ‘pay to play’ via an equitable value capture methodology.
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