Western Sydney ‘the forgotten people’ as anger grows over Labor stopping Parramatta to airport Metro link
Fuming Western Sydney leaders have slammed Labor’s plans to pump the breaks on a crucial Metro link between Parramatta and the region’s new airport.
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Furious Western Sydney leaders have slammed Labor’s plans to shelve a crucial Metro link between Parramatta and the region’s new airport, with federal MP Dai Le pushing for funding for the project.
Ms Le said she would urgently request a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Catherine King after NSW Labor on Sunday announced they had put plans to build two Metro extensions on ice.
The NSW Coalition has pledged $260 million to complete four extensions, which would complement Metro lines currently under construction in its next term, if it wins this month’s election.
Premier Dominic Perrottet has committed to separate business cases for a metro line from Parramatta to the airport and a line between Bankstown and Glenfield, but cannot say when the projects will be completed.
But Labor leader Chris Minns’ announcement to delay those business cases until existing projects are completed has been met with anger by Western Sydney leaders, with Ms Le saying she was “very disappointed”.
“Once again, we are the forgotten people. This time, by the Labor Party,” she said.
The independent MP for Fowler hoped Ms King would consider contributing federal funds for the proposals.
“I hope she will listen to the needs of southwestern and western Sydney people and the employment opportunities that will be open if this link is built,” she said.
Labor has announced it will spend $300 million on buses to service the new airport from its opening day, with Mr Minns denying delaying the Metro links would hurt the party in its western Sydney heartland.
The party has maintained it wants to ensure it can finish current Metro work before committing to the proposed lines, with Mr Minns saying the Coalition will have to rely on privatisation to fund the project – something Mr Perrottet has denied.
“You cannot stand up in front of millions of people in NSW and promise infrastructure that you’ve got no intention of building,” Mr Minns said.
“The NSW Government is either spending money that they don‘t have or are not being honest about their future privatisation plans.”
Independent Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone has slammed the move, while Liberal Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said “kicking this can down the road is a kick in the guts for the people of southwestern Sydney”.
Western Sydney University vice-chancellor Barney Glover said he hoped Labor would reconsider the move, saying it was a “crucial part of completing” the city’s infrastructure.
“Pretty clearly I’m just as disappointed as other western Sydney business and community leaders would be,” he said.
Commuters have been guaranteed they will be able to travel on the Metro from St Marys to the airport on the day the first flight lands in 2026.
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