NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s pledge to build four missing metro links across Sydney’s west
Four new metro lines in Western Sydney will be started under a re-elected Coalition government, with Premier Dominic Perrottet pledging to begin work on the long-awaited “missing links”. See where the new lines will go.
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Four new metro lines in Western Sydney will be started under a re-elected Coalition government, with Premier Dominic Perrottet pledging to begin work on the long-awaited “missing links”.
Representing a massive expansion of the Sydney Metro network – and a major pitch to Western Sydney voters – the Coalition has declared it will undertake the final business cases for Tallawong to St Marys; Westmead to the Aerotropolis; Bankstown to Glenfield via Liverpool; and Macarthur to the Aerotropolis. The business cases will determine which link is to be done first.
Mr Perrottet, who will today launch the Coalition’s Keep NSW Moving Forward strategy, said the work on the missing links would reshape the city.
“Sydney Metro is Australia’s biggest public transport project and is already reshaping this city and transforming how we move around,” he said.
“These new lines will complete the missing links in the metro network in the west and connect our city like never before in what will be a major win for the people of Western Sydney, providing them with even better transport services.
“We are future-proofing the transport needs of our city, to ensure people can travel quickly and safely while also supporting thousands of jobs, additional housing and access to services across region.”
The Coalition is counting on the Metro to meet the transport needs of the future population, which is expected to grow by 42 per cent to 11.5 million by 2061.
Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes said the plan was to complete the network the Coalition started when it first came to government.
“The first step is a co-ordinated strategic business case to determine which link needs to start first. This will set up a pipeline of projects to power the productivity of Western Sydney,” he said.
Transport and Western Sydney Minister David Elliott said the metro in Western Sydney would not only provide critical transport connections in the region but improve access into the Sydney CBD.
“This is why it is critical we plan for the future and have the vision to deliver the transport connections where they are needed to ensure people can move conveniently and seamlessly from one side of Sydney to the other,” he said.
A business case has already begun for a new metro line between Glenfield and the Aerotropolis. The proposed new lines will be integrated with the broader Sydney Metro network, which includes the Sydney Metro North West that was completed in May 2019.
It will also link in with Sydney Metro City and South West, with services from Chatswood to Sydenham to begin in 2024, then to Bankstown within 12 months.
Sydney Metro West has been slated to be completed by 2030. The Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport is being timed to coincide with the airport opening in 2026.
DOM: WE HAVE TO WIN… TO SAVE OUR STATE
Premier Dominic Perrottet says not only can he win the state election but that the Coalition “needs to win”.
Mr Perrottet conceded the economic challenges ahead weighed heavily on his mind.
But that was precisely why he says voters need to back a government that had already got them through a global pandemic, bushfires and floods.
The Coalition has so far focused its cost-of-living measures on short-term relief, such as allowing households to receive $250 off their energy bills by simply comparing their current energy deal.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal further measures are in store but with a longer-term focus as part of Mr Perrottet’s election plan to “future proof” the state.
“Through the pandemic, in my role as Treasurer, when we had people out of work, that weighed very heavily on me,” Mr Perrottet said. “It weighs heavily on me to ensure we get families through this but at the same time we need to ensure financial security in the long term.
“I mean, obviously, there’s significant economic challenges on the horizon. And we’re seeing that now, with rising interest rates, rising inflation and global economic uncertainty.
“Every family is feeling the pressure. Inflation is hurting everyone but it also eats away at future opportunities for families and their children. It’s only our long term economic plan that sets us up for future success. That’s why we need to win.”
Both the Coalition and Labor have attacked each other over how each plans to pay for their policies, with Mr Perrottet refusing to rule out privatisation as Treasurer Matt Kean had.
The Premier instead declared there were “no plans” for privatisation.
Mr Perrottet said his wife Helen remained a source of inspiration, and whom he consulted about the Back to School Vouchers. “We were discussing that at the time: What can we do to help? What’s another issue that we can do to help families through this,” he said.
Asked why his Catholic faith and Opus Dei schooling fascinated people, Mr Perrottet said: “That’s for others to answer. I’m pretty straight up and down. People can make their assessments.”
Asked whether the party had a “women problem”, Mr Perrottet said there had been “a lot of progress” with several “strong female candidates” preselected.
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Originally published as NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s pledge to build four missing metro links across Sydney’s west
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