Fast rail discussion on connecting Badgerys Creek Airport to Parramatta and Sydney CBD

Four options for a fast rail line connecting Parramatta to Sydney CBD and the western Sydney airport have been included in a discussion paper, released today.

FOUR options for a fast rail line connecting Parramatta to Sydney CBD and the western Sydney airport have been included in a discussion paper, released today.

One of the routes includes using the existing rail corridor between the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs while the other three options involve tunnels being constructed.

A map of the fast rail connecting Parramatta to the proposed Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek and Sydney CBD, included in the Western Sydney Airport Fast Train Discussion Paper by Parramatta Council and Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney.

Parramatta’s rail link to the proposed Badgerys Creek Airport would go via the southern Liverpool local government area or the Blacktown local government area.

Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney director David Borger said the fast rail proposal would “end the divide between Parramatta and Sydney CBD.”

“The western line is the oldest and most congested in Australia. That’s why we are proposing this.”

Fast Rail Conference at Rosehill Gardens with Lucy Turnbull AO, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Sydney Commission and Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney director David Borger.

Mr Borger said while all four options had merit, he preferred the option which would link Badgerys Creek with Parramatta and then go through Olympic Park, White Bay and onto the CBD.

“A fast rail connection between the two cities would supercharge jobs growth in Parramatta and help connect urban renewal precincts like the Bays Precinct and Sydney Olympic Park. A fast connection to Western Sydney Airport will also ensure the 30,000 promised jobs will be accessible to residents of western Sydney,” he said.

The merits of the route options were explored by Aurecon and Deloitte discussed at a fast rail conference, hosted by Parramatta Council and the Sydney Business Chamber today.

Federal Major Projects Minister Paul Fletcher said a fast rail line would not be ready for when Sydney’s second airport was due to open in 2025.

“Passenger numbers are expected to be modest, at around five million a year. This level of traffic will not be sufficient to justify a rail connection. From the day it opens, though, the airport will have excellent road connectivity,” Mr Fletcher said.

He said Sydney and Brisbane airports were first connected to suburban rail networks in 2000 and 2001.

“In 2012 Sydney Airport had 37 million passengers a year compared to the five million a year expected at western Sydney. Around 17 per cent of Sydney Airport users travel by train; for Brisbane Airport it is 10 per cent. In both cases the rail link operator has struggled to make commercial returns over time.”

Mr Fletcher said the state and federal governments last year announced a joint study into western Sydney’s rail needs.

“This study will consider both the Western Sydney Airport site and surrounding region as a whole, including Western Sydney’s long-term rail future. The study will investigate the best options for a rail link — the right route, when to build it and how best to fund it ... it will look at the need, the timing and the service options for rail investment. This will include considering different rail connections, travel speeds and types of train service.”

However, Mr Fletcher said the airport site would be “rail ready” by making sure there was a station box and tunnels, ready to connect with a line when it was built.

“Some of the options being talked about include a Leppington extension, a Sydney Metro extension and a dedicated high speed rail connection through Parramatta. These options will all be considered as part of the scoping study and interested parties will have an opportunity to contribute more formally to this process in the coming months.”

Mr Fletcher said there were several options for the fast rail being funded, including a value capture system.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Paul Garrard said a fast rail connection linking Western Sydney Airport, Parramatta and the Sydney CBD would have a transformational effect on Sydney.

“It is estimated that such a link could add a quarter of a billion dollars annually to Sydney’s gross domestic product and it would be a major factor in ensuring the success of the Western Sydney Airport,” Cr Garrard said.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she strongly supported fast rail connecting the CBD and Parramatta but was against WestConnex.

“Sydney does well in global city rankings but it’s constantly marked down for public transport. The answer is not more toll roads ... it is critical the state and federal governments rethink the funds slated for Westconnex,” Cr Moore said.

Greater Sydney Commission Chief Commissioner Lucy Turnbull said she commended the business chamber for putting together the fast rail discussion paper.