Councillors unanimously agreed at a meeting on Monday night to write to NSW Premier Mike Baird and Transport Minister Andrew Constance to discuss the roll out of the Light Rail Network, after reports the first stage of the project from Parramatta to Strathfield via Olympic Park was the front-runner.
This is the option being pushed by business consortium WestLine Partnership, made up of business interests, including ANZ stadium.
WestLine is backed by the powerful Sydney Business Chamber, which has former Parramatta lord mayor David Borger as its Western Sydney director.
Council will argue that the corridor to Olympic Park would have insufficient patronage to make it financially viable.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd said building light rail from Westmead to Epping via Carlingford would provide a spine that will allow for the network’s eventual expansion from Westmead to Castle Hill, Epping to Macquarie Park and Camellia to Olympic Park.
“A route from Westmead to Epping would provide the greatest chance for a successful Light Rail Network that can be expanded. The route would encompass key centres including the Westmead health precinct, Parramatta North urban renewal area, Parramatta Stadium, Parramatta CBD, the Camellia growth precinct and the CBD and Rydalmere campuses of the University of Western Sydney,” Clr Lloyd said.
“A Light Rail Network from Westmead to Epping would have high passenger numbers taking in major residential and business centres as well as key education, health and community facilities.
“Council has had a long-standing vision for a Light Rail Network to improve the commute for residents, workers and visitors. We are delighted that the State Government has committed $1 billion to the project, and we want the first line to be a huge success. We have serious concerns that passenger numbers would not be sufficient to sustain the Strathfield via Olympic Park route as the first phase of the project, potentially jeopardising its expansion.
“For the network to expand we need the first stage to be a success and we believe a Westmead to Epping route would make the project financially viable.”
Parramatta’s position is backed by Hills and Ryde Councils as well as Parramatta State Liberal MP Geoff Lee.
Clr Lloyd said a Westmead to Epping route could use the existing heavy rail corridor on the Carlingford line and importantly could link in with the Sydney Metro Northwest Rail at Epping, providing a much needed public transport connection between Parramatta and Sydney’s North West growth suburbs.
“We would welcome a link to Sydney Olympic Park as part of subsequent stages of the Light Rail Network, however, we don’t believe the Camellia precinct is established enough at this stage to justify a line through there to Olympic Park.”
Clr Lloyd said the journey from Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park was already serviced by regular heavy rail and bus options.
“I look forward to meeting with the Government to discuss our preferred option for this important project and the timeframes for the start and completion of works,” Clr Lloyd said.
Parramatta councillors are particularly upset as the light rail proposal came from council in the first place, when Lorraine Wearne was lord mayor in 2012.
Premier Baird is expected to make the announcement on the preferred first route before he hands down the Budget on June 23.
The government has been considering four route options, Parramatta (from Westmead) to Macquarie Park via Epping, Parramatta to Castle Hill, Parramatta to Bankstown since last year.
