Fairfield Mayor lashes Labor for cuts to Sydney Metro

A popular mayor proving threatening to Labor’s chances at an upcoming state election has criticised the opposition leader over proposed cuts to two metro lines.

A southwest Sydney mayor, expected to make a play for one of NSW Labor’s key seats, has accused the party of treating southwest residents like “second class” residents.

The accusations follow Labor leader Chris Minns’ claims he would cut two of the four proposed Sydney metro lines over a budget blowout.

Earlier this month, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pledged to investigate the final business cases for four new lines on the Sydney Metro.

However, Labor has announced it would only keep two.

Mr Minns said Labor would prioritise the Glenfield to the Aerotropolis and Macarthur link, and explore the Tallawong to St Marys connections, while abandoning the Westmead to Western Sydney Airport and Glenfield to Bankstown via Liverpool lines.

The proposed Sydney metro map. Picture: Supplied / NSW government

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone has questioned why Labor prioritised lines in the Macarthur area, compared to the East-West link which would connect Bankstown to the CBD.

“I’m very disappointed that Chris Minns is now treating our residents like second class, prioritising marginal seats at our expense, despite the business case stating that a connection from the airport to Parramatta and Sydney is essential,” he shared on Facebook.

Currently, the Metro City and Southwest, which connects Parramatta to the CBD, is under construction and is slated to open in 2024.

Mr Carbone said council had spent six years working on the proposal, which would connect residents to Sydney’s second airport, with the CBD, Westmead and Parramatta through the “fast transport network”.

“The proposal would have taken tens of thousands of cars off the road in the most urbanised areas and provide a fast connection to work for our residents to the Airport, Parramatta, Sydney and surrounding suburbs,” he said.

The popular mayor is expected to run for the seat of Fairfield and install a fellow independent candidate in the neighbouring seat of Cabramatta, threatening two of Labor’s heartland seats. This would also hamper Labor’s chances of reclaiming the 11 additional seats needed to win a majority government.

As it stands, Labor has announced former AFP officer David Saliba as the candidate for Fairfield, with no confirmed person for Cabramatta.

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone said the metro cancellation would hurt southwest Sydney residents. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

On Tuesday, Mr Minns defended the cuts due to projected delays and budget blowouts, which he placed at $6b.

“We need to make sure every available dollar goes to the projects that have been committed to by this government. There’s no point putting planning money into Stage Two if Stage One is one the verge of being cancelled,” he said.

Mr Perrottet criticised Labor for not investing “in public infrastructure”.

“Therefore homes don’t get built and therefore rents increase and prices increase,” he said on Tuesday.