Call for release of Metro West, Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 plans

The re-elected Berejiklian Government has been urged to get cracking on the finalisation of plans for two key infrastructure projects in the transformation of western Sydney.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 is expected to be up and running from 2023.

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The re-elected Berejiklian Government has been urged to get cracking on the finalisation of plans for two key infrastructure projects in the transformation of western Sydney.

The Western Sydney Business Chamber says it is time for the government to release the business cases for Sydney Metro West and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

“It is now time to put this information on costs and station locations into the public domain for the community to understand and back these projects,” the chamber’s executive director, David Borger, said.

The proposed Sydney Metro West route, linking Westmead to the city. However, the full business case is yet to be released by the government.

“Sydney Metro West is Australia’s most significant infrastructure project and needs to be built sooner rather than later.

“The government has announced that it wants to get started on this project next year but we still don’t know the details of the route or the cost. The release of the business case is essential.”

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 works are already under way, with a two-way, 12km track connecting Westmead to Carlingford, via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia. It is expected to open in 2023.

The preferred routes for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

Mr Borger believes the next stage of light rail for Parramatta can be delivered “sooner than Sydney Metro West”.

“It will connect a range of socio-economically diverse communities through Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point with mass transit for the first time,” he said.

“Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 makes Sydney Metro West work, especially connecting to the future metro station at Olympic Park.”

An artist impression of Centenary Square in Parramatta once light-rail construction is completed in 2023.

Royal Agricultural Society of NSW CEO Brock Gilmour said the addition of Sydney Metro West and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 would help provide a significant attendance boost for the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

“The Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park sees an average 900,000 visitors every year,” he said.

“Sydney Metro West and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will be transformational infrastructure projects and will result in show-goers’ easy access to and from Olympic Park.

“If Metro West and Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 were in place, the Royal Easter Show could see an attendance increase by 10 to 20 per cent. It will allow us to tap into the western Sydney market.”