Federal Budget 2019: Government announces $3.5b Western Sydney Rail Fund
The key battleground of Sydney’s west has been spoiled with a series of benefits including funding for the North-South Rail Link in the Federal Budget — as the Liberal Federal Government work to woo back voters.
Penrith
Don't miss out on the headlines from Penrith. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Federal Government are following in the footsteps of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian — announcing major infrastructure spending in western Sydney.
The key battleground of Sydney’s west has been spoiled with a $3.5 billion Western Sydney Rail Fund in the Federal Budget handed down tonight, which Federal Treasurer John Frydenberg used in an attempt to woo back voters from the Australian Labor Party, currently holding a strong spine of seat stretching through western Sydney.
The multibillion-dollar fund is the largest commitment the Federal Government made in NSW tonight, which the Treasurer said would be aimed at “improving connectivity, creating jobs and enhancing liveability, building on the investment in the Western Sydney Airport”.
Budget documents revealed the funds would work towards the delivery of the North-South Rail Link, supercharging the Aerotropolis and agribusiness precinct as well as initiating an Aerospace Institute.
The budget papers also revealed the Government have committed to a massive increase in the Urban Congestion Fund, increasing from $1 billion to $4 billion, with “projects to target congestion in some of our worst affected urban areas”
This fund 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.
“We are getting on with the job of building infrastructure,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“It was this Government that ended 50 years of indecision and started construction on the Nancy-Bird Walton Airport in Western Sydney.
“Our regions and their vitality have always shaped the Australian story, in this Budget, there is an additional $2.2 billion for safer roads, $1 billion to improve freight routes and access to ports.
“These investments make our regions stronger and our country stronger.”
The North South Rail Link is proposed to run from the Talawong Sydney Metro northwest station at Rouse Hill, through St Marys and Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek Creek and onto Camden.
HOWEVER, NO MONEY FOR SYDNEY WEST METRO
While tonight’s outcome is a positive for the city’s west, Western Sydney Business Chamber executive director David Borger said the budget should have included money to also help build the Sydney Metro West railway.
Once operational, the underground metro line will allow travel times of just 20 minutes from Parramatta to the CBD.
The Berejiklian government has committed $6.4 billion over the next four years to fund the planning of the project, but Mr Borger said he was disappointed no funding for the project was included in the budget tonight.
“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.
Mr Borger urged the Coalition to come to the table.
“While the Coalition has quadrupled its Urban Congestion Fund for roads, it has no focus on urban congestion on rail,” he said.
“It appears the Federal Coalition defines urban congestion as road bottle necks in marginal seats.
“The Labor Opposition has put $3 billion on the table for this project and we urge the Federal Government to commit to Metro West — the most important infrastructure project in the country.
“Metro West will relieve overcrowding on the T1 Western Line and will allow workers to access jobs in both the Parramatta and Sydney CBD and needs to be constructed as soon as possible.”
POSITIVE FOR SYDNEY-WOLLONGONG HIGH-SPEED RAIL TOO
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg revealed the government would establish a business case for a fast rail line from Sydney to Wollongong, as part of his budget speech on Tuesday night.
The announcement of funding for the business case comes after the NSW Government announced ambitious plans for a high-speed rail network across NSW.