Review announced into Sydney Metro projects after costs blowout

There are calls to scrap plans to create more metro stations in one of Australia’s biggest cities after it was revealed they will cost taxpayers billions more than expected.

The rail union has called for the government to consider axing plans to introduce a Metro line to western Sydney after it was revealed that the cost of the project has blown out by billions.

Premier Chris Minns announced an independent review into various Sydney metro projects on Thursday, claiming the former government had kept the true cost of the transport projects under wraps and that a report will determine “the ultimate price tag”.

Mr Minns said the projects are ‘in trouble’ and ‘need rescuing’ but the review would help the metro get ‘back on track’. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

Current plans for the Metro network are now up in the air due to the costs blowout.

The Perrottet government last claimed the City and Southwest projects would cost $18.5 billion, a figure which has grown to $20.11 billion according to Labor, with the possibility that more funds will be needed to finish construction.

The Metro West line has also had a cost blowout of $6 million, Labor said.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has welcomed the review and says that the previous government’s decision to replace the T3 Bankstown Line with the metro was “illogical” and “comes at a huge cost to commuters and taxpayers”.

“The current rail service works well. The line doesn’t suffer from the overcrowding some other lines do, and there is plenty of scope to increase the current services available,” RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said.

“Our train lines need improving, but handing them over to the private sector, removing essential workers who keep commuters safe and delivering an inferior service for commuters isn’t the answer.

Mr Minns said the projects are “in trouble” and “need rescuing” but the review would help the metro get “back on track”.

“But it’s clear there are risks of Sydney Metro becoming an incredibly expensive missed opportunity,” he said.

The City and West Metro Line was initially meant to open in 2024, a due date which will be extended. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer

Mr Minns also said he was “not interested in casting blame or putting on a show trial in relation to the previous government”.

The review will be run by former Commonwealth head of infrastructure Mike Mrdak, with Transport Minister Jo Haylen saying the report would find “solutions” to the overspending.

Initial plans for the Sydney Metro City and Southwest project forecast a $12 billion price tag, a figure which was revised to $18.5 billion in the Perrottet government’s 2022 budget. Now that figure is expected to exceed $20 billion. Picture: POOL Via NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“It‘s clear there are problems with building Sydney Metro, and paying for Sydney Metro,” she said.

“We’re just being honest about the problems … I’ll be putting passengers first and asking the experts how we avoid disruption, how we get best value for money for taxpayers.”

The projects involve converting the T3 Bankstown line to a metro, which will mean services will run every four minutes between Bankstown and Sydenham.

There will also be new stations created between Chatswood and Sydenham including Barangaroo and Pitt Street.

The government has also flagged the West line linking the CBD with Parramatta is also facing a cost blowout.

Initially meant to cost $18 billion, the final price tag will now exceed $25 billion.

Originally published as Review announced into Sydney Metro projects after costs blowout