Calls for federal government funding for Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point

Completing light rail and fixing one of ‘Australia’s worst roundabouts’ – business lobby groups have urged the government to fund critical projects for one of the nation’s most densely-populated precincts.

Business lobby groups have pushed for the Federal Government not to overlook Sydney Olympic Park precinct ahead of the federal election and urged more attention to complete Parramatta light rail, fix a notorious roundabout and entice government departments there.

Business Western Sydney and Sydney Olympic Park Business Association have issued a document, Investment Priorities for Sydney Olympic Park, to sitting Reid federal Liberal MP Fiona Martin and the seat’s Labor candidate, Sally Sitou, underlining the projects that need urgent attention.

“The communities along the Parramatta River, from the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park, could very well determine who wins the upcoming Federal Election,’’ Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said.

“It would be risky for either major party to ignore the need for greater federal investment in the geographical heart of Sydney.

“The Federal Government needs to take a more hands-on role in the growth and success of Australian cities.’’

Ignore Sydney Olympic Park at your own peril, Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger has told politicians. Picture: John Appleyard

Just as it invested “millions of dollars in the multiple stages of the Gold Coast light rail,’’ Mr Borger urged the government to inject funding for the second stage of Parramatta light rail, a network that would serve densely populated suburbs of Wentworth Point, Sydney Olympic Park and the Carter Street precinct in Lidcombe, which is earmarked for more than 6000 homes.

The advocates also called for the roundabout at the intersection of Australia Ave and Homebush Bay Drive — dubbed the DFO roundabout and one of “Australia’s worst

roundabouts” — to get an upgrade.

Since the state government scrapped the M4-Hill Rd off-ramp project, which would have provided an alternative route into Sydney Olympic Park for westbound traffic, the roundabout has been hit with more pressure.

The federal government has committed funding to investigate options for improving the intersection.

The Carter Street Precinct population warrants the light rail.

“A lot of promises have been made to the communities of Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park,’’ Mr Borger said.

“It’s time for government to start to deliver on them and the upcoming federal election is an opportunity to put a spotlight on what needs to be done.’’

Sydney Olympic Park Business Association chief executive officer Allison Taylor said infrastructure needed to keep up with the housing boom.

“The critical thing for this election is housing and we can’t just put things in willy-nilly,’’ she said.

“We’re a precinct happy for development if the infrastructure’s there to support it.’’

She said the state government’s metro project from Parramatta to Sydney CBD via Sydney Olympic Park was pointless “if families in Wentworth Point can’t get to the new metro station’’.

“We need Parramatta light rail stage two to bring it all together.

“I’d like to see the candidates who are putting their names forward in Parramatta and Reid electorates to go to their parties and make the case for this part of Sydney to be a real priority for them.’’

Allison Taylor at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Monique Harmer

Reid Labor candidate Ms Sitou said the party has pledged $8.5 million to upgrade the Hill Rd-Bennelong Parkway intersection to ease congestion and boost safety.

“After almost a decade in power the Liberals have failed to deliver the infrastructure to support the growth we’ve seen in Sydney Olympic Park and surrounding areas,’’ she said.

“I’ve been speaking to residents in these communities every day and it’s clear they feel that they’re being left behind by this Federal Government.’’

Reid federal Liberal MP Fiona Martin said the party had allocated $50 million to upgrade Homebush Bay Drive and Australia Ave, including the “dreaded DFO roundabout”, along with

$50 million from the state government.

“The upgrade will ease congestion, improve safety at the intersection for all road users and improve travel times and connectivity to Sydney Olympic Park and surrounds,’’ she said.

“I am looking forward to the release of the preferred option for the design and community consultation on this, which is due in the next few weeks.’’

She vowed to continue fighting for upgrades to Hill Rd at Wentworth Point.

The infamous roundabout at Australia Ave and Homebush Bay Drive.

“Anyone who uses Hill Road knows just how in need it is of urgent upgrades, particularly the issues around the intersection of Bennelong Parkway and Hill Rd and the regular flooding the road has.’’

She also called for Parramatta Council to put aside “meaningful money” to improve the road.

Wentworth Point Residents’ Action Group Mark Green said the upset community “don’t care’’ whether the funding was from the state or federal governments but wanted urgent action.

“We don’t think it’s right to build a suburb with no infrastructure,’’ he said.

“Wentworth Point has the highest density in NSW because everybody lives in a unit. “Everybody who bought their properties after 2014 was told we were to get a park, we were going to get a light rail and a (high) school and none of these things are there.’’

Transport for NSW vowed to convert 3.9 hectares into Peninsula Park on the waterfront but the wait continues.

“We’re still waiting on that park, so eight years later and there’s 13,500 residents,’’ Mr Green said.

“We’re expecting the suburb to reach 30,000 residents between the next five to 10 years.’’

He said the light rail was essential so commuters could have an alternate route to Hill Rd, which was the “one road in and one road out”.

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Originally published as Calls for federal government funding for Sydney Olympic Park, Wentworth Point