Sydney Metro West train station locations may bring development
Transport Minister Andrew Constance has played down fears of high rise development at the newly-announced locations for Sydney Metro West train stations, most of which are in the inner west.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance has played down fears of high rise development at the newly-announced locations for Sydney Metro West train stations, most of which are in the inner west.
The government has announced that if re-elected on March 23, it will begin building the underground line next year.
Stations would include Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, the bays precinct and the city. Others such as Rydalmere and Pyrmont are being considered.
The government is promising travel times of 20 minutes between the city and Parramatta.
The exact locations for the Metro West stations have not been revealed.
Metro plans have caused community angst in parts of Sydney.
The government has proposed four towers above the station being built at Crows Nest, which residents claim is “over-development”.
Strathfield state Labor MP Jodi McKay believed residents had a right to be concerned.
“A big concern for the communities at Five Dock and Burwood is, with the Metro, there has been a focus on surrounding high rise development,” she said.
“I don’t think high rise is appropriate for Five Dock or Burwood North.”
Labor will also build the Metro West if elected but has not named its preferred stations.
Mr Constance said the government would work with communities to ensure it maintained the amenity of surrounding areas.
“As with all Metro stations we will be working with local communities to make sure we get the balance right,” he said.
“Train stations today are a lot different to train stations in the past.”
Mr Constance said underground stations also allowed acquisition of people’s homes to be kept to a minimum.
He said 450,000 people would move into the rail corridor over 20 years, which provide phenomenal growth and job opportunities.
The Sydney Metro North West, between Chatswood and Rouse Hill, is the first stage of the project and opens in May.
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