Federal Budget 2019: Sydney Metro west goes without from government

Funding to fast-track the Sydney Metro west from Sydney to Westmead was a major expectation of leaders across Sydney’s west — but as the Federal Budget was handed down, no money was in sight.

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Funding to fast-track the Sydney Metro west from Sydney to Westmead was a major expectation of leaders across Sydney’s west — but as the Federal Budget was handed down, no money was in sight.

Before the Budget was handed down by Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday night, Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown called on the Government to “put its money where its mouth is and contribute funding to the Sydney Metro West project”.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivers the budget at the House of Representatives in Canberra. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Mr Brown was one of several leaders of the business community to call on the need for funding in the lead up to the budget, alongside Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger.

Mr Brown said with the project having received bipartisan support during the recent NSW election campaign, along with a financial commitment from Federal Labor, the Government “must now come to the party and invest in the most transformative infrastructure project in Greater Sydney”.

“The ‘steel spine’ is a $20 billion project that is critical to the long-term growth of Parramatta and to unlocking the potential of Sydney Olympic Park, Mr Brown said.

“It has been nominated as one of Infrastructure Australia’s highest priorities for NSW, and importantly will double rail capacity on the Western Line between Parramatta and the City.”

A total of $6.4 billion worth of funding has been secured for the project by the NSW Government following its re-election last week, but Mr Brown said the State couldn’t fund the project alone.

“The Western Line has underpinned Western Sydney’s growth and prosperity for the last 150 years,” he said.

“But it is reaching its limits, and Metro will enable the region to thrive for many more generations. Many are calling it a ‘game-changer’ and for the Australian Government, it should be a ‘no-brainer.’’

Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger said he was disappointed no funding for the project was included in the budget.

The construction of a station along the Sydney Metro west.

“The whole community between Sydney and Parramatta say it had to be done yesterday and we’ve got nothing in this budget — it’s appalling,” he said.

“It’s either an abandonment of western Sydney or they’re keeping their powder dry for the federal election. It makes no sense.

“It strikes me is that they’re proud of infrastructure but the most important project is missing. They’re either playing games or they’re just delaying.”

Bill Shorten has previously promised to pour $3 billion into Metro West if Labor wins government in the upcoming federal election.

A map of the proposed Sydney Metro west, which will slash travel times between Parramatta and the city to just 20 minutes.

Budget papers did, however, reveal the Government have committed to a massive increase in the Urban Congestion Fund, increasing from $1 billion to $4 billion, including $4.5 million worth of funding for the upgrade of Blaxland Rd, Eastwood, as well as $50 million for Homebush Bay Drive including Australia Ave and Underwood Rd, Sydney Olympic Park.

Mr Frydenberg said projects aimed to “target congestion in some of our worst affected urban areas”.

This fund also includes a $500 million to establish the commuter car park fund to allow more people to park and ride, taking tens of thousands of cars off our major roads per day, a road safety package of $2.2 billion, including $1.1 billion for vital maintenance and repair, $550 million in increased funding for the Black Spots Program, and an additional $571 million for bridge renewals and safety including heavy vehicles.