Opening date of new City Metro line thrown into turmoil over firefighters’ ban

Next month’s planned opening of the new metro line running below Sydney’s CBD has been thrown into turmoil, as firefighters threaten not to enter the tunnels over safety concerns.

The scheduled opening of the new metro line running below Sydney’s CBD has been thrown into turmoil, with firefighters threatening not to enter the tunnels over eleventh-hour safety concerns.

The NSW government has vowed to forge ahead with plans to open the City Metro line on August 4, but questions have been raised if the decision by firefighters to not participate in safety drills will prevent a final sign-off being given by the regulator.

It comes after the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union (FBEU) issued a “code red” banning its members from partaking in drills on the metro on Thursday, citing safety concerns with the tunnels.

The move comes amid a messy pay dispute between the union and the NSW government, with a new award deal yet to be struck.

The union has called for a 20.5 per cent pay rise over three years.

The Metro City line is scheduled to open on August 4, with new stations in North Sydney and Sydney’s CBD. Picture: Supplied

While Sydney Metro has struck an agreement with Sydney Trains to use their Rail Fire and Emergency Unit (RFE) to react to emergencies on the new line, the code red issued by the FBEU claims “those arrangements do not extend to new privately operated networks”.

The union instead wants long-term funding for an equivalent service for the metro.

One of the new metro stations set to be opened next month. Picture: Supplied

FBEU NSW secretary Leighton Drury said his members had other safety concerns about the metro, including hydrant heads “pointing in the wrong direction”.

He threatened to “black ban” the tunnels — meaning FBEU members would not enter them in an emergency — if safety concerns weren’t met.

“We’re trying to keep our community safe and firefighters safe — I thought that would be the government’s priority, rather than haphazardly getting the metro online,” Mr Drury said.

“If they do push ahead without us, then we’ll black ban the tunnels.”

FBEU NSW secretary Leighton Drury. Picture: David Swift

The move by the FBEU has the potential to impact on whether the rail regulator will give a final sign-off for passenger services to begin on the metro, which will link Sydenham to Chatswood, in time for the August 4 opening date announced by Transport Minister Jo Haylen.

A safety drill involving a simulated evacuation was held at Waterloo metro station on Friday, with police and ambulance services taking part.

Fire and Rescue members did not participate.

“Sydney Metro continues to work towards the targeted opening date of 4 August. The government and Sydney Metro will keep on working with the national regulator on the certification of the new metro line,” a NSW government spokesman said.

A Sydney Metro spokeswoman said that although while August 4 was still the target, the “final confirmation of the opening date will be given in coming weeks after the operator successfully completes the remaining trial running exercises”.

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Originally published as Opening date of new City Metro line thrown into turmoil over firefighters’ ban