Western Sydney rail needs in spotlight after budget surplus announced

MORE than a million Western Sydney residents don’t live in walking distance of a train station — one peak rail advocate body says the state budget surplus should be used on more rail development.

The federal and state governments are asking for feedback on what train infrastructure is needed for western Sydney. Picture: Anthony Reginato

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A WHOPPING 75 per cent of western Sydney residents, including those who call Liverpool home, don’t live within walking distance of a train station.

A Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils report on the region’s public transport revealed around 1.3 million residents live more than 800m from a train station.

WSROC chief executive Charles Casusceli said the state’s budget surplus should be used to kickstart public transport development in western Sydney.

“Western Sydney needs rail to service all two million residents whose rail access has been put on the backburner by successive ­governments,” Mr Casusceli said.

“There has never been a better time to invest in rail. The Budget is in surplus, interest rates are at an all-time low, and investor interest in the west is high.”

Mr Casusceli said an estimated 500,000 residents would move into new communities along the north-south corridor between Blacktown and Penrith.

Commenters at Liverpool Train Station. Seventy-five per cent of people in the area live more than 800m from the station. Picture: Robert Pozo

The Western Sydney Rail Alliance earlier estimated a north-south link between Rouse Hill and Campbelltown via Badgerys Creek could create more than 60,000 jobs by activating health, education and innovation hubs.

Convener Christopher Brown AM said the western Sydney airport represented a new era for the region.

“It is vital that booming cities in the southwest and northwest are connected to it from the outset,” Mr Brown said.

The federal and state governments are seeking feedback on the Western Sydney Rail Needs Discussion Paper until October 28.

To give feedback, visit the Western Sydney Rail website.

The Western Sydney Corridor Draft Concept, supplied by the Western Sydney Rail Alliance which maintains a rail connection linking Rouse Hill to Campbelltown via the airport at Badgerys Creek would create more than 60,000 jobs for the region.

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