Bradfield 2023: More than 12 per cent of Sydneysiders to be 10 minutes from train line by 2036

BRADFIELD ORATION: More than 12 per cent of Sydneysiders will live within a 10-minute walk of a Metro station by 2036, but to ensure NSW has city-shaping transport for the future, we need a 50-year plan, say business leaders.

More than one in eight Sydneysiders will live within a 10-minute walk of a Metro station by 2036, as the state’s leaders are urged to keep building city-shaping rapid train lines.

A total of about 774,000 people will live within walking distance of a Metro Station in 13 years, when Sydney’s population is predicted to be 5.75 million, Sydney Metro’s latest forecasts show. And another 1,296,000 will work within a 10-minute walk of a station.

Businessman Tony Shepherd, who has worked on projects like the Sydney Harbour and Lane Cove tunnels, says the NSW government needs a “50-year-plan” to fulfil John Bradfield’s vision of city-shaping transport developed more than a century ago. Bradfield planned the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the electrification of the railways and the design and construction of the City Circle underground.

NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Jo Haylen and Angela Jeffery, Project Director for the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport. They are standing next to giant pieces of tunnel at the Badgerys Creek tunnelling site. Picture: Richard Dobson

Mr Shepherd said the plan should start with a Metro linking Parramatta directly to the Western Sydney airport – something the Minns government pumped the brakes on when it came to power.

“It’s good there’s a Metro line going all the way to Parramatta (from the CBD) – but now they should continue it on to the new airport,” he said.

As it stands, passengers who travel to the airport from the city will jump on the existing heavy rail to St Marys, where they can switch to the Metro Western Sydney Airport line.

“Then they’ll have to drag their luggage across the station … what fool would ever suggest that?” Mr Shepherd said.

“You need to link it with the city … it’s a lay down misère.”

Tony Shepherd said the government needs a 50-year plan. in Moore Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Mr Shepherd said the government needed a masterplan.

“We don’t expect it all to be done in one day. But have a masterplan and fill it in as you go,” he said.

“What we learn from Bradfield is you need a central planning authority that has a real vision for the future. What we need is a vision for the next 10, 20 and 50 years.”

When asked about a Metro extension between Parramatta and the new airport, Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the government wanted to continue rolling out mega projects.

“We need to keep the pipeline going. There remain critical pieces of public transport infrastructure that are needed for western Sydney because it keeps growing,” she said.

Angela Jeffrey Project Director Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Jo Haylen and Tim Burns Project Director CPB Contractors Ghella JV underground in a tunnel section at the Badgerys Creek site of Metro Western Sydney Airport. Picture: Richard Dobson

The airport line is due to open in time for the first flights in 2026 and is currently under budget, unlike the Metro West, which is up to $12bn over budget, or the City South West line, which has blown out by more than $8bn.

Premier Chris Minns has flagged the Metro West linking Parramatta and the Sydney CBD could add more stations to support housing and increase patronage of the line.

Sydney Metro chief executive Peter Regan told parliament those options had been looked at, but warned the average station costs between $500m and $1bn.

Committee for Sydney CEO Eamon Waterford said the government should build a Metro line every five years.

“Bradfield’s vision was that everybody deserves access to a good train journey,” he said.

“There’s the lines on the map Bradfield proposed, but there’s also the vision he had that train lines unlock great lives for Sydneysiders.”

TUNNEL VISION FOR THE FUTURE

By Emma Blake

Working underground is not for everyone, but Aidan Morris hopes to remain subterranean for years.

The 20-year-old tunnel worker got his break at 16 on the $3.9 billion Rozelle Interchange, which will open within weeks.

“I’ve seen it go from digging out the tunnel to laying the pavement and final finishes,” Mr Morris said, who has since moved to work on the Western Harbour Tunnel, which will create a western bypass of the CBD.

Tunnel Worker, Aidan Morris pictured at the Rozelle interchange in Sydney today. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

At the new project he is not only underground, but under water as well.

“It’s the same as when I first started … but more muddy,” he said. “I definitely want to stay in the tunnels.”

Mr Morris in one of 300 apprentices who trained with engineering and construction giant John Holland on the Rozelle Interchange.

The company is building some of Sydney’s major pieces of infrastructure including the Metro, Sydney Gateway – an above ground, toll-free link between St Peters Interchange and Sydney Airport – and the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick.

“We’re very fortunate to be leading some of the nation’s biggest projects which allows us to invest in the next generation of talent – people just like Aidan Morris – to guide our industry forward,” John Holland CEO Joe Barr said.

“Working in construction for nearly four decades has taught me that the opportunities for career progression really are endless.”

Mr Morris started his apprenticeship at Loyola High School in Mount Druitt and has since achieved a Certificate 3 in CivilConstruction.

He has loved learning how to use the machinery and said it is a great place to work.

“Working with your hands leads to a lot of opportunities, you can do anything you want,” Mr Morris said.

Keep up to date with the latest: The Daily Telegraph will livestream the Future Sydney Bradfield Oration from midday on Thursday, November 16.