Industry Calls On Government To Unite On Sydney Airport Rail

Australia's Federal Government has been called upon by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue to follow the Federal Opposition’s renewed commitment to a rail link connecting north and south-west Sydney via Badgerys Creek.

Dialogue Chairman Christopher Brown AM, who met with Federal Opposition Infrastructure Spokesman Anthony Albanese last week, said the opposition's announcement to secure a north-south rail corridor and provide $400m towards an extension of the south-west rail link, was critical, given the area’s forecast growth.

“This is the missing link in Sydney’s transport network – the north-south spine that links to all of our key growth and employment areas,” Mr Brown said.

“These are also the same precincts that are expected to house the majority of Western Sydney’s new residents over the next 20 years. If we have learnt anything from our planning and transport mistakes of the past, it is that we cannot continue to build homes without providing the necessary supporting infrastructure to ensure smart jobs will follow.

“We’re pleased that the growth areas of Greater Western Sydney, and how they connect to Badgerys Creek Airport, are on the radar of both sides of Government,” he said.

“Before we get carried away with direct rail links to Circular Quay, we need to ensure the people of Penrith, Liverpool, Blacktown, and Campbelltown can get to and from our new airport.

“Of course it is going to cost a lot more than $400 million from the Commonwealth to help build this line and these communities - but it’s a good start,” Mr Brown said.

The Urban Taskforce said the Labor Party's proposal for new rail links in Western Sydney highlights the need for a long term rail structure“The Labor Party has proposed rail link from Leppington to the new Western Sydney Airport in Penrith and an orbital train line through St Marys to Rouse Hill in order to provide a long term rail structure for Sydney," Urban Taskforce CEO Chris Johnson said.

“When these proposals are linked to the NSW Government Metro West rail project a unified plan for Sydney’s transport future begins to emerge.”

Mr Johnson said the simple concept would be to build on the current government commitments to a metro rail and continue this from Bankstown to the Western Sydney airport, then to Penrith and on to Rouse Hill.

"The proposed Metro West line could be extended from Parramatta to Penrith," he said.

“To provide infrastructure for Sydney’s population growth a network of light rail loops should feed into the metro or heavy rail network.

“The Labor Party proposal and its commitment to funding is a great beginning to provide an integrated rail network for Sydney. It is important that the Western Sydney Airport is connected to the Sydney rail network before it opens in 2024."