Push for Moore Park Metro to service Allianz and SCG as public transport ‘reaching its limits’

Sporting bodies have united to declare the public transport system linking to the Moore Park precinct is “reaching it’s limit”, as they lobby for a “critical” Metro station. Read their argument here.

Major sports organisations have demanded a new Metro station be built near Allianz Stadium and the Sydney Cricket Ground allowing millions of music and sports fans to travel there from western Sydney.

It comes amid warnings existing public transport for the area is “reaching its limits”.

Venues NSW, a NSW Government agency, as well as Sports NSW and the Alliance of Moore Park Sports have all called on the Minns Government to extend the Metro West line to Moore Park, in documents to parliament revealed Tuesday.

The major transport link, which would connect the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs under current plans, remains up in the air, with the NSW Government refusing to rule out axing the project over a cost blowout of more than $12 billion.

The push for a metro station at Moore Park has the backing of sporting heavyweights. Picture: David Swift.

In their submission to parliament, Venues NSW state it is “critical to leverage the previous investment in rebuilding Allianz Stadium by linking this precinct with an effective and connected public transport system”.

Despite the NSW Government spending more than $3 billion on the Sydney and Eastern Suburbs Light Rail which services the Moore Park precinct, Venues NSW said the light rail was “designed to carry fewer people shorter distances at slower speeds” than a Metro would.

Phillip Heads, Venues NSW’s group general manager of communications, heritage and community, said the Metro being extended to Moore Park beyond its current route between the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs was “critical”.

The Moore Park light rail is designed to carry fewer people shorter distances at slower speeds, the sport group argued. But the Metro would be a key mode of transport from Sydney’s west. Picture: David Swift.

“The existing light rail serves an important role for those who live close to the CBD or Eastern Suburbs, but it serves a different purpose to a Metro station as it is designed to carry fewer people shorter distances at slower speeds,” he wrote.

A packed SCG farewells the Lance Franklin during the Round 24 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and Melbourne Demons at the SCG on August 27, 2023. Sporting bodies are calling for better transport. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Danny Townsend, the chair of Alliance of Moore Park Sports (AMPS), warned current public transport – including the light rail – wouldn’t be enough.

He added the removal of on-grass parking would also make it harder for Western Sydney visitors to travel to the entertainment and sporting precinct – something a Metro starting at Parramatta would help with.

“As the precinct continues to thrive and expand, it becomes increasingly apparent that the existing transport infrastructure is reaching its limits,” he wrote.

“The legislated removal of on-grass parking, primarily serving attendees from Western Sydney, exacerbates the need for a viable public transport alternative.

Danny Townsend, the chair of Alliance of Moore Park Sports. Picture: Brett Costello

“The establishment of a dedicated Metro station at Moore Park would unlock the precinct‘s full potential for use by the community, facilitating easy access to the multitude of sporting and cultural events hosted here. It would not only enhance the experience of attendees but also alleviate the strain on local streets and provide a sustainable, long-term solution to the parking issue.”

The submissions by the sporting bodies were made to a parliamentary inquiry into the future of Metro West, which also called for opinions on whether more stations should be built along the line.

A decision on the future of Metro West – including whether it’ll be cut or delayed – could be made as early as this month, when a government review of the entire network is expected to be completed.

The Metro West is one of three lines currently under construction, alongside the City and Southwest link between Sydenham and Bankstown, and the Western Sydney Airport line.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen has been contacted for comment.