Labor promises $3 billion to start Macarthur to Western Sydney Airport rail
LABOR has promised a “game-changing” $3 billion rail project to connect the Macarthur region to the Western Sydney Airport if Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is made prime minister at the next election.
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LABOR has promised a “game- changing” rail project to connect the Macarthur region to the Western Sydney Airport if Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is made prime minister at the next election.
Speaking at the NSW Labor Conference on Sunday, Mr Shorten announced a federal commitment of $3 billion for the Western Sydney Rail Link which would include the North South Rail Link connecting Macarthur to the Western Sydney Airport and extending further north to St Marys.
He also promised Labor would extend the South West Rail Link from Leppington to the airport.
Macarthur federal Labor MP Michael Freelander said work on the projects would begin the moment Labor was elected.
“It’s an absolute game-changer for the Macarthur region,” he said.
“Construction on the Leppington line will start virtually immediately after we’re elected. The Macarthur link will start as soon as the plans are drawn up.”
Labor’s plan for the region is part of a larger $6 billion deal for rail across western Sydney.
The announcement received backing from Western Sydney University Assistant Vice Chancellor Dr Andy Marks.
“We don’t need any more studies to tell us the Badgerys-to-Macarthur leg of the South West Rail Link is needed,” Dr Marks said.
But federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher said rail from Leppington to the airport would cost $6 billion on its own.
“According to the detailed Scoping Study into Western Sydney Rail … rail from Leppington to the airport would cost around $6 billion, and rail from Macarthur to the airport, on to St Marys and then further north to Schofields would cost $15-20 billion,” he said.
“Mr Shorten’s plan will therefore cost at least $22 to $27 billion. How is he going to fill this $19 to $24 billion black hole? As usual, Labor just can’t get their sums right.
“Even if Mr Shorten is assuming the state government will match this commitment, he is short by $16 to $21 billion.
“The facts are that Labor has a hopeless track record of over-promising and underdelivering on rail in New South Wales. In 16 years of State Government from 1995 to 2011, Labor promised 12 rail lines and delivered only half of one.”
Rail from the airport to Leppington/Macarthur has been earmarked for a $100m government business study.