Westmead community speaks out over at-risk Metro West train line

A western Sydney community forced to uproot their lives for the Metro West is livid the project could be axed amid reports of a multi-billion dollar blowout. Read their stories.

It might soon have to be tools down on the Metro West project, including construction of the Westmead station.

A community in Sydney’s west forced to sell their homes and businesses to make way for the $25bn Metro train line is “heartbroken it has amounted to nothing” following news the project could be dumped because of a $10bn blowout.

Premier Chris Minns has refused to rule out scrapping the 24km underground line from Westmead to the CBD via Five Dock but growing speculation about its demise or delay plagues the project since the “extreme cost creep” was revealed.

Fred and Georgette Sassine were some of the long-time Westmead residents forced to see their three-bedroom Bailey St house demolished after they found out the then-Liberal government would compulsorily acquire it in 2019.

The couple raised their four children at the home, where they had lived since 1971, shortly after they migrated from Lebanon.

Now their home has been bulldozed along with other houses in land bordered by Alexandra Ave, Hawkesbury Rd, and Hassall and Bailey streets, where the station is expected to be built.

Fred Sassine with his daughter Diana Sassine Hajje at his home at Bailey St Westmead in 2019.

The Sassines’ son Simon said his parents were devastated by the news the Metro’s future could be in jeopardy.

“I felt like my parents were being ripped off,’’ he said.

“The amount of heartache and pain and devastation inflicted on my parents is gut-wrenching.

“The amount of upheaval that my parents went through and it all amounted to sweet FA’’.

Mr Sassine said despite trying to get the best deal for the sale of the family home, his parents received $1.45m – $650,000 under market value.

“To have his (Dad’s) house of 50 years ripped under him from nothing, that’s what it amounts to – nothing,’’ he said.

He blamed Mr Minns for having “political amnesia” for vowing to see the project completed before he was elected in March.

Westmead resident Balkar Singh, 42, was “annoyed” the line’s future was uncertain after tolerating disruption since construction started.

“We’ve already had this pain for two years,’’ he said.

“There’s dust here. It’s very close to Parramatta so we think we deserve something better.’’

Westmead resident Balkar Singh, 42, is annoyed the Metro West line might not proceed.

Mr Singh said the compulsory acquisition also hurt his barber, who was fortunate enough to relocate nearby.

Liberal Senator and Western Sydney Women co-founder Maria Kovacic said the project would have delivered 10,000 direct jobs and will stall the growth of the region – where three million people are expected to call home in 2030.

Barber Nathan Kadim might have had to endure the stress of relocating his business for nothing. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“The cancellation of this project will stall the growth of western Sydney and force western Sydney residents on to toll roads, meaning they’ll be spending more time in traffic and less time with their families,’’ she said.

“Residents of western Sydney will once again be expected to do the heavy lifting when it comes to housing young families and newly arrived migrants,’’ she said.

“If Metro West is paused or cancelled it will leave residents without the public transport infrastructure they urgently need to connect them to their small business or workplace.’’

Demolition of homes to make way for the Metro West train began at Westmead last January.

The construction site from Hassall St.

Ms Kovacic called on the government to explain who would foot the bill for any cancellation or delay.

The Premier was approached for comment.

Last week, Mr Minns explained why the Metro West’s future could be in doubt.

“If a project blows out at that scale, then obviously the money has to come from elsewhere, whether it’s schools or hospitals, whether it’s new infrastructure for different parts of the state.

“So we’ve got to get control over the cost of these big projects.”

Westmead resident and mum-of-two Premy Dev wants to see other projects take priority in her suburb.

“It actually needs a school I reckon, rather than another line, because the (Westmead Public) school’s at capacity.

“When they first announced it I thought ‘do we really need another train line’?’’