Parramatta Light Rail: Tracks laid at Westmead, stage 2 in doubt

Despite the upheaval it has inflicted on Parramatta businesses and heritage, the Transport Minister has revealed he is looking at alternative solutions for the light rail’s second stage.

Despite the upheaval it has inflicted on Parramatta businesses and heritage, Transport Minister Andrew Constance has revealed he is looking at alternative modes for the second stage of the light rail, saying “why the hell would I rip everything up?”.

At Westmead this morning where the first tracks of the $2.4 billion light rail project were being laid, Mr Constance said the government needed to address transport in suburbs such as Wentworth Point and Melrose Park as part of the proposed second stage, to which it has so far not committed.

Parramatta MP Geoff Lee, Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Seven Hills MP Mark Taylor at Westmead to announce tracks being laid for the Parramatta Light Rail.

He said the government wanted to build a bridge linking the high-density suburbs of Melrose Park and Wentworth Point as part of stage two.

But he said if he could provide mass bus services such as the B-line or trackless trams instead of the light rail “why the hell would we rip everything up?’’

He defended the approach to stage once, which had been planned since 2014, noting “advancements in technology’’ since then.

“This is how fast our world’s moving,’’ he said.

Light Rail construction on Church St.

He dismissed suggestions changing modes of transport would disrupt passengers’ journey.

“It’s about connecting precinct to precinct, it’s not a cross-town solution, and ultimately that’s the solution for this area,’’ he said.

The first stage of the project has crippled businesses at Westmead, many restaurants on Church St Parramatta and forced the demolition of the heritage-listed 200-year-old Royal Oak Hotel.

Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee acknowledged businesses were struggling but said the project was transformative.

Services on the first stage between Westmead and Carlingford will run every seven minutes in peak periods.

Mr Constance said businesses would not receive compensation.

“This project is being brought very differently to the CBD light rail.’’

Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer urged the government to deliver stage two.

“With roads around Parramatta already under strain and limited transport options in our newer neighbourhoods, stage two is essential to keep the city connected, accessible and moving,’’ he said.

“Only with a strong public transport connection from the Parramatta CBD to growing residential suburbs and employment hubs will Sydney’s Central River City be able to realise its full potential.”

The council’s data shows about 29,000 homes are forecast to be built along the extended route by 2036, with 11,000 dwellings forecast be built in Melrose Park by that year, if major transport infrastructure was delivered. The forecast drops to 6700 homes if that infrastructure was not delivered.

North Parramatta Residents’ Action Group has slammed Mr Constance’s comments after significant disruption to the community.

“Why the hell would he rip up Parramatta with stage one light rail when there were other solutions?’’ spokeswoman Suzette Meade said.

“It’s just another State Government development with poor planning that’s decimated our city’s heritage.’’

The Royal Oak Hotel in Parramatta before it was demolished.

At Parramatta, Surplus City owner Eric Vozzo said sales at his Church St business had dived by 60 per cent since February when light rail construction started.

“I think it’s a waste of money,’’ he said on Thursday. “We had good businesses here and now we’ve got nothing. Why spend all this money here and end up with nothing? It’s something we didn’t need. COVID’s not as bad as this.’’

Surplus City owner Eric Vozzo at his Church St business.

Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger has urged the government to build stage two, which would connect Parramatta to Olympic Park, but objected to switching modes of transport.

“B-Line buses would be a b-grade solution for Parramatta Light Rail stage two,’’ he said.

“Light rail works best when it is a network of routes. Our fear is that changing to tramless trams or B-Line buses would undermine the NSW Government’s investment in stage one and force commuters to change between transport modes.”

He said trackless trams were an interesting but still experimental technology.

“Our advice is that the work needed to reinforce the road to carry what are very heavy tram-like buses is just as intensive as light rail.”

He urged the government to confirm plans for stage two, since it was first announced in October 2017.

“Parramatta Light Rail stage two is a timely project that will support jobs as we recover from the COVID recession,’’ he said.

“Stage one is currently supporting 500 construction jobs and that will be same story with stage two.’’

Mr Borger said that the government’s own analysis showed that by 2026 there would be 5200 less jobs and 6000 fewer dwellings along the route without stage two.

Opposition transport spokesman Chris Minns said Mr Constance insulted the community by switching to buses instead of trams.

“This would undermine the entire plan behind Parramatta Light Rail – a connected network across Sydney’s second CBD,’’ he said.

“It’s an insult to the businesses whose livelihoods this government has ruined during this construction process.”

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