Pippita Trail: Cumberland Council opens public feedback

It was a rail line that once serviced animal slaughter facilities but a proposed 2km path aims to transform an abandoned corridor into a pedestrian and cyclist drawcard. See the designs here.

How part of the Pippita Rail Trail at the Southern Bridge over Parramatta Rd could look.

A proposed link connecting Lidcombe and Sydney Olympic Park train stations has been revealed with the public encouraged to give it a thumbs up or critique the plans.

Cumberland Council has unveiled designs for the Pippita Rail Trail, which aims to upgrade the walking and cycling link between Lidcombe station and 430 hectares of recreational facilities at Sydney Olympic Park.

More than 20,000 Lidcombe residents are forecast to use the trail which will connect to existing local parks and public spaces in and around Sydney Olympic Park.

The project received $770,000 funding under Transport for NSW’s Get NSW Active program.

CAMWest Bicycle User Group president Rob Kemp cautiously welcomed the “comprehensive” plans but wanted to see the trail connect with more existing active transport hubs in the area.

He pointed out there was no shared path or off road route form Olympic Drive to John St at Lidcombe and there was potential for a bridge at Edwin Flack Ave in Sydney Olympic Park where there is a steep descent.

An artist's impressions for the Pippita Rail Trail at Church St, Lidcombe.

Overall, he said the trail was “pretty good” and an improvement from the original Pippita plans.

“One of my main criticisms of the previous Pippita plan was it didn’t link up to anything in Lidcombe,’’ he said.

“The original plan was very broad and didn’t show any detail. My fear was it would become a white elephant.’’

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said the trail would become a convenient walking and cycling link between Lidcombe train station and the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.

The elevated boardwalk at Pippita station.

“The new 2.4km path will give people a new way to move between home and work, public transport hubs, food and dining precincts, stadiums and public spaces,” she said.

“This transformation will create a destination that locals can use every day, and people from all over Sydney can visit and enjoy, while recognising the rich history of the area’s former railway line.’’

The proposed path will transform the former Abattoir Branch railway line which once serviced the State Abattoirs, State Brick Works and Homebush Saleyards with stations including Pippita, Metropolitan Meat Platforms, Saleyards, Abattoirs and Brickworks.

Community consultation is open until Sunday, March 10.

Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake said the Pippita trail allow “residents and visitors to explore our outdoor spaces, socialise and discover our local history along the way”.