Calls for public to names light rail bridge at James Ruse Drive

Now Sydney’s second largest steel bridge has been lifted into place for the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail project, the public has been called to name the span.

Calls have been made for the public to propose names for  James Ruse Drive bridge as part of the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail project.

The community is being encouraged to help name the new bridge across James Ruse Drive, which has been installed at Rosehill.

Parramatta Light Rail project director Andrew Milne said submissions to name the state’s second longest steel arch bridge span were now open and invited the community to share ideas that captured the history, spirit and development of the area.

“The Parramatta Light Rail project will transform how locals and visitors explore what the region has to offer, and the new bridge is key to linking light rail users, pedestrians and cyclists from Carlingford to the Parramatta CBD,” said Mr Milne.

“We’re excited to hear the proposed names – whether they be culturally significant, an acknowledgement of our heritage or recognition for the women who have contributed to Parramatta being what it is today – we want you to have your say.

A consultation panel made up of key local stakeholders, including Parramatta Council, Parramatta Chamber of Commerce, Parramatta and District Historical Society, Western Sydney University and Transport for NSW, will assess the community’s submissions in line with naming guidelines and conventions.

“The panel will help ensure the unique name selected reflects the historical, cultural and social legacy of the area and our community,” Mr Milne said.

“As the bridge naming authority, Transport for NSW will review the panel’s shortlist of names before a final decision is made.”

The 1425-tonne, 64-metre long and 64m wide structure was lifted into place at James Ruse Drive in May.

Submissions will be open until 30 July 2021. To make a submission or find out more, visit parramattalightrail.nsw.gov.au/bridge-name.  

Business Western Sydney  executive director David Borger already called for the bridge to be named in honour of James Ruse's wife, fellow convict and “trailblazing’’ woman Elizabeth, who was instrumental in giving NSW’s fledgling wheat industry a “leg up”.

Mrs Ruse, nee Perry, was sent to Sydney as a 21-year-old convict for stealing and arrived in 1790 aged 21.

In the same year she was sent to the settlement of Rose Hill where she met and married fellow convict James Ruse.

While the pioneering farmer has been honoured with a road, James Ruse Agricultural High School (and even a restaurant) named after him, Mr Borger said Elizabeth gave as much time, energy and commitment to the success of the fledgling colony of NSW as her husband.

James Ruse Bridge took six months to construct.

“Without the hard work and sacrifices Elizabeth made, the wheat industry of today may not have got the initial leg up that underpinned the success of the colony,’’ Mr Borger said.

“Each time we drive along James Ruse Drive we acknowledge his contribution to our city. It’s about time we gave standing to Elizabeth as well by naming this new bridge in recognition of her contribution. The relationship between the new bridge and the highway is symbolic of the partnership between James and Elizabeth Ruse.”

Elizabeth’s had work led to her absolute pardon two years after her arrival in the colony.

In 1806 Elizabeth was listed as the landholder in her own right of 15 acres by purchase in the Hawkesbury district.

In January, Parramatta councillor Donna Davis called for more stops along the Parramatta Light Rail to pay homage to prominent women who have shaped the city, including Elizabeth Macarthur, and Elizabeth Raine and Anne Gordon, who were managers and matrons of the Parramatta Female Factory respectively.

Mr Borger said the bridge had a prominent place in Parramatta because it would unite all the pieces of the Parramatta Light Rail and be pivotal in connecting stage one and the under-doubt stage two.

James Ruse Bridge is lifted into place at Rosehill on May 29.

“Parramatta and the surrounding region has been the home of many trailblazing women,’’ Mr Borger said.

“Recognising Elizabeth Ruse or another local woman through the naming of this important piece of infrastructure, is one small way to acknowledge this.”

Transport Minister Andrew Constance said more than 200 workers had been involved in moving the bridge which has been constructed over the past six months.

It took four heavy haulage jacks eight hours to move and lower the structure on to the piers of the bridge, which is the second largest steel structure after the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

The bridge, which will be closest to the Tramway Avenue stop, will now be fitted with light rail tracks.

Campaigning for a name for the bridge has not been the only thing on Mr Borger’s mind.

After the federal government splashed out a whopping $855 million on the Gold Coast Light Rail in May, he slammed it for failing to chip in for stage two of the Parramatta Light Rail — a project of “national importance”.

Ahead of the federal budget, Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher pledged $126.6 million for the eight-station, stage three rollout on the Gold Coast.

So far the government has committed $395.6 million to the 6.7km third stage that will connect Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads and create 760 jobs.

The Queensland Government poured in $553.95 million and Gold Coast Council injected $91.5 million to fund the project’s third stage. In total the federal government has spent $855.6 million on all stages of the line.

Federal Transport Minister Paul Fletcher (centre) announces funding for Gold Coast commuters. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Borger, called on the NSW and federal governments to take the same approach for the Parramatta Light Rail.

Instead, its second stage remains in limbo, leaving residents in rapidly growing communities such as Olympic Park and Wentworth Point, where there are 13,000 residents, devoid of public transport.

Completing the line, from Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park, would cost $3 billion but there are heavy doubts the 12km line from Westmead to Carlingford will be built.

“It is disappointing that the Federal Government has been absent in partnering on vital infrastructure in the heart of Sydney such as Parramatta Light Rail and Sydney Metro West,’’ Mr Borger said.

“These are projects of national importance that will shape our city and support thousands of homes and jobs for greater Parramatta.’’

Mr Borger — who recently ramped up calls for the government not to neglect the light rail — said the government should allocate funds to the rail as it did for the aerotropolis.

“The federal government should be chipping in on any major piece of infrastructure being constructed by a state government across the country regardless of where it is located,’’ he said.

“It should not be a case of cherrypicking projects on an ad hoc basis.

“It’s fantastic for the Gold Coast that the Federal Government has spent almost a billion dollars on the three stages of their light rail network. We just want to see a similar deal for Parramatta and the infrastructure we need to support our growing city.’’

Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger insists Parramatta Light Rail’s stage two is critical. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

The Property Council’s western Sydney regions director, Ross Grove, echoed the calls, saying the light rail was critical to attract investment to NSW.

Wentworth Point resident Clement Lun said Parramatta light rail was “a lifeline for Wentworth Point”.

Resident Anna Han said the growing population warranted stage two to be delivered.

“I do think it’s absolutely necessary for the residents of Wentworth Point and the greater peninsula area because we don’t have a train station,’’ she said.

“We only have one road in and out of the area.’’

But while Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said the light rail funding was an example of three tiers of governments working together, a spokeswoman for Transport Minister Paul Fletcher said the state government had not formally requested stage two funding.

“The Morrison Government is investing record funding in western Sydney’s infrastructure needs to secure the future of this fast-growing region,’’ she said.

“This includes a $5.25 billion commitment to deliver the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project, in conjunction with the NSW Government, which is the largest ever Federal contribution to a public rail project.’’

The spokeswoman said the federal government provided $78.3 million for stage one of the Parramatta light rail in the 2017-18 budget.

“The Morrison Government continues to work closely with each state and territory government to identify and fund priority projects through the Budget process and to roll out our record $110 billion infrastructure investment pipeline,’’ she said.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said the final case for stage two of Parramatta rail was being considered.

 

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