Mike Baird and Gladys Berejiklian med rel: Western Sydney light rail study begins

NSW Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Mike Baird and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today said the NSW Government will begin a study into the feasibility of light rail in the Parramatta region.

Work will begin immediately with the NSW Government identifying the highest priority corridors for the introduction of light rail. This will be followed by a detailed feasibility study and high-level business case for those corridors.

“This is potentially another great project for Sydney’s West, which will provide the missing transport link from north to south,” said Mr Baird.

“Building light rail has been a priority for the NSW Government across the state, and we are determined to get on with the job of fast-tracking major infrastructure.

“We are going to get started on this initial study right away to determine if this is the right solution.”

The corridors to be investigated, with potentially a number of options for each route, include:
• Parramatta to Macquarie Park via Carlingford
• Parramatta to Castle Hill via Old Northern Road
• Parramatta to Liverpool via the T-way
• Parramatta to Bankstown
• Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park
• Parramatta to Rouse Hill
• Parramatta to Ryde via Victoria Road
• Parramatta to Sydney CBD via Parramatta Road
• Parramatta to Macquarie Park via Eastwood (proposed by Parramatta Council)
• Parramatta to Castle Hill via Windsor Road (proposed by Parramatta Council)

Ms Berejiklian said the NSW Government has supported Parramatta Council in its work around light rail to date and will use the council’s work as part of this study.

“Once this first stage of work is completed, a number of viable options will be taken forward for detailed design and feasibility. This is the same process we undertook for the CBD and South East Light Rail project which will see major construction start next year,” she said.

“We will work to ensure this Western Sydney light rail project fits into our urban renewal strategy in the region, including how it will integrate with major projects like WestConnex. Of course, like with any major project, the community will have its say along the way.

“The NSW Government’s Plan for light rail, Sydney’s Light Rail Future, sets out our priorities when it comes to expanding the city’s light rail networks, including in Western Sydney.”

Mr Baird and Ms Berejiklian paid tribute to Parramatta MP Geoff Lee who has been a strong advocate for this project.