‘Big calls’: Chris Minns talks up Parramatta Metro blowout ahead of budget

Premier Chris Minns has given his strongest hint yet that a new Metro connecting Sydney and Parramatta CBDs will be delayed, saying ‘big calls’ had to made.

Premier Chris Minns has given his strongest hint yet that a new Metro connecting Sydney and Parramatta CBDs will be delayed, as the head of Western Sydney’s business chamber warned setbacks would hit residents and investors along the line.

The Premier, in a radio interview on Thursday, labelled the Metro West project as being struck with “extreme cost creep”, and signalled there would be “big calls” in regards to the project and another metro line connecting Sydenham to Bankstown.

“The big thing here is to make sure that we‘re delivering on the promises that we took to the election in March of this year, and that we’ve got a responsible infrastructure program for the state,” Mr Minns said when asked by John Laws on 2SM about his infrastructure to-do list.

“And that does mean big calls when it comes to South West Metro and Metro West.”

Mr Minns launched into details over the MetroWest blowout, which is now forecast to cost more than $25b — almost $10b above its original budget.

Premier Chris Minns says ‘big calls’ need to be made on South West Metro and Metro West.

“So in terms of the creep, the cost creep is just so extreme. It’s about 100 per cent over budget, before … substantial works even begin,” Mr Minns said.

“And I think we’ve got to, as a government, start getting a handle on where this money is spent.

“If a project blows out at that scale, then obviously the money has to come from elsewhere, whether it's schools or hospitals, whether it’s new infrastructure for different parts of the state.

“So we’ve got to get control over the cost of these big projects.”

The project is due to be finished in 2030.

Earlier this year the NSW government flagged more stops could be built along the line, despite the budget blowouts.

When asked if the Premier would rule out dumping the Metro West or delaying the project, a NSW government spokeswoman would not confirm or deny, saying a review of transport projects — due in October — would analyse the delivery time of the project, as well as its impact on the state’s housing strategy.

“Metro West will be the subject of the Metro Review’s second report, due in early October,” she said.

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said any delay would be a hammer blow to businesses, investors and homeowners along the Metro corridor between Parramatta and Sydney, highlighting that a site for the Metro station at Parramatta CBD has already been excavated.

“Any delay is going to have an impact on … investor confidence,” he said.

“Cancellation is worse than delay, but with delay it’s important you don’t get left with holes in the ground.

“No doubt costs have grown, but there was a bipartisan commitment to get this done.”

The South West Metro has also had questions raised over its future, with the project set to cost up to $20b, more than $8b above earlier forecasts.

The Telegraph revealed earlier the line could also be shut for 15 months from Bankstown to Sydenham while work is undertaken to convert the heavy rail to Metro.