Push for high-speed train to stop at Parramatta, Western Sydney Airport

A western Sydney mayor is spearheading a bold push for the federal government to shun Sydney’s east and expedite bullet train stops in the city’s “geographical heart”.

Parramatta would get its own version of New York’s Grand Central Station if the Lord Mayor’s plan proceeds. Picture: Angela Weiss

Parramatta’s Lord Mayor is spearheading a bold push for the federal government to shun Sydney’s east and expedite bullet train stops in western Sydney, describing the booming area as the logical place for Australia’s own “Grand Central Station”.

Under the government’s existing high-speed rail proposal, the super fast service would connect Newcastle to Central Station via The Central Coast, with stops at Parramatta and the new Western Sydney Airport only under consideration for future phases.

But Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter called for those areas to be prioritised, saying it made more sense for Parramatta – the “geographical heart” of Sydney – to be home to the future “Grand Central Station” of the city’s transport network.

“We now have more people living to our west than we do to our east,’’ Cr Zaiter said at the council’s Monday night meeting.

“By 2050, the City of Parramatta is expected to have a population of more than 500,000 residents and have added over 150,000 new jobs.’’

The number of jobs in Parramatta is forecast to almost double by 2050, with 150,000 more set to be created.

Cr Zaiter cited the council’s long history of advocating for public transport projects, including the Parramatta light rail from 2009.

“Now, all these years later, the opening of (Parramatta light rail) is imminent and this is the time that we start advocating for the next big project: a high-speed rail station in the City of Parramatta as part of the east coast high-speed rail network which has been planned by the federal government,’’ he said.

Parramatta is not part of the federal government’s plans for a bullet train service from Newcastle to Central.

“We will no longer sit back and just wait for what is on offer. We will be on the front foot fighting for our fair share.

“Unlocking opportunities for people who live, work and play along the high-speed rail lines is key to allowing them to enjoy the economic and cultural offerings in Parramatta and greater western Sydney.’’

Cr Zaiter said connections at Parramatta and the new airport would “bridge the infrastructure gap that currently exists”, and would mean a more equitable distribution of jobs across greater Sydney.

The council last month unveiled its ambitious target to create more than 150,000 jobs in the next 25 years and position itself as “western Sydney’s jobs engine”.

Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter.

Council chief executive Gail Connolly said there were currently 178,000 jobs across the city.

“Parramatta is fast establishing itself as a magnet for people and businesses around the world,’’ she said.

“It makes sense for it to be the jobs engine and the driving force for economic development and employment growth for western Sydney.”

The health and innovation district in Westmead and North Parramatta, the business and retail headquarters district in the CBD and manufacturing jobs are key employment precincts in the council area.

Parramatta’s Lord Mayor says Parramatta warrants a stop at a bullet train service more than Central Station (pictured). Picture: Madeleine Damo

The federal High Speed Rail Authority is preparing a business case that is due by the end of the year.

The council will contact the Transport Minister Catherine King and Parramatta federal Labor MP Andrew Charlton about the bullet train project, which will cost billions and is not expected to be delivered until at least the 2030s.

Mr Charlton told this masthead he welcomed a potential station for Parramatta, saying the second stage could link Newcastle to Canberra via Central and Parramatta.

“I definitely think Parramatta should be in the fast rail line as the geographic centre of Sydney and the fastest growing part of Sydney,’’ he said.

“It is an important piece of infrastructure for this city.’’

Ms King said the business case would outline ways to unlock housing across Sydney, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley, which would be connected in about one hour by trains travelling up to 320 km/h.

“With the NSW Government we are also building two multibillion-dollar transport projects to Western Sydney International Airport,” she said.

She said both projects – the Sydney Metro and the new M12 motorway – were already under way.