No rail electrification to Menangle Park despite new development
DESPITE more than 4000 new homes being built at Menangle Park in the near future, don’t hold your breath for an electric rail line south of Macarthur station — it could be decades away.
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DESPITE more than 4000 new homes being built at Menangle Park in the near future, an electric rail line south of Macarthur station is still many years away.
Menangle Park was rezoned last month to allow developer Dahua to build a new estate.
Earlier this week, Dahua announced it would launch its first release for Menangle Park next month — with 30 lots up for grabs.
Dahua has begun spruiking the new community’s proximity to the future North-South Rail Link which is set to connect Macarthur station to the Western Sydney Airport and its connection to the Hume Highway through the planned Spring Farm Parkway.
But electrification of the rail line to Menangle Park station and beyond isn’t expected for at least the next 10 to 20 years.
A Transport NSW spokesman said the department was monitoring the public transport demand across the region.
“Campbelltown-Macarthur has been identified as a ‘collaboration area’ by the Greater Sydney Commission,” the spokesman said.
“As such, Transport for NSW will be working with the GSC and stakeholders on transport issues which will include the development of an integrated transport plan.
“Future Transport 2056 identifies the electrification of the intercity network to Goulburn as an initiative for investigation for the 10-20 year time frame.”
The development will be serviced by an improved bus service between Menangle Park and Campbelltown.
Speaking at Labor’s announcement on Wednesday that it would fund faster rail between Sydney and Campbelltown if elected next year, Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said electrifying the rail line beyond Macarthur Station was important if the new community was to thrive.
“We need to make sure we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past, and deliver for what this new community is going to need,” he said.
“That’s the Government’s role; if it’s good enough for them to allocate the thousands of new families and dwellings here then they have to deliver the infrastructure that community is going to need to thrive.”