Parramatta light rail stage two reaches final business case, public invited to have say

It’s under constant threat of derailment but planning for Parramatta light rail stage two has advanced into the final phase. See new images and watch footage of how it could look.

Residents have cautiously welcomed a plan to finally complete Parramatta light rail’s second stage after the government called for the public to express their preferred route and stops for the line that will link Camellia to Sydney Olympic Park.

The project will round out the project’s first stage — a $2.4 billion, 12km track from Westmead to Carlingford that is due to open next year.

Transport Minister David Elliott has called on residents and stakeholders to provide feedback that would be used for the final business case for stage two and its 15 stops.

“We want to ensure stage two of the Parramatta light rail meets the transport needs of the rapidly growing and diverse residential, business and entertainment hub in western Sydney,” Mr Elliott said.

The project is deemed a critical piece of infrastructure to serve one of Sydney’s most densely populated communities at Wentworth Point.

The population along stage two corridor suburbs including Melrose Park is forecast to explode by 50,000 people in 29,000 homes over the next 15 years.

How a bridge near Melrose Park would look if stage two of the light rail proceeded.

Wentworth Point Residents’ Action Group’s Mark Green said the group welcomed the route but not the alternative route which shifted the proposed stop south from the ferry wharf.

“This is worse for residents and seems completely illogical given there is already a major issue with tourists struggling to find the public transport connections to Sydney Olympic Park,’’ he said.

The group, which will make a submission to the government, has been promised light rail for almost a decade.

“Given the failure of the state government to deliver almost any of its infrastructure promises in Wentworth Point, the residents are, not surprisingly, sceptical,’’ Mr Green said.

“The most common comment is probably ‘We won’t believe it until we see it’.’

Carter Street precinct would be densely populated.

“There is a huge amount of frustration and mistrust of anything the state government or Transport for NSW says.’’

The group will meet on Tuesday to discuss the feedback they will give the government but members are adamant the project is essential.

“Our suburb on the tiny peninsula is the second largest suburb in the City of Parramatta and is facing further massive increases in population over the next decade,’’ Mr Green said.

“At the moment, residents rely on the one old industrial road in and out. The traffic flows on Hill Rd are more reflective of a major arterial road but the road has never been upgraded.

“The existing public transport is slow and poorly connected. It would mean that students attending the new high school at Wentworth Point from Concord West, Newington, Sydney Olympic Park and Carter Street precinct wouldn’t further compound the traffic chaos.’’

The light rail will also connect with the metro heavy rail in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park when it starts operating next decade, along with ferry stops at Rydalmere and Wentworth Point.

Australia Ave, Sydney Olympic Park, where the light rail will connect with the metro.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis urged the community to have their say on the vital project to serve the soaring population.

“The people living in these new homes will need public transport, and the communities and businesses along the route need more certainty than this,’’ she said.

“They need a funding commitment now.”

Consultation is open until Sunday, June 26. Visit the Stage 2 Parramatta light rail virtual engagement room to access the “have your say” survey.

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