The Western Sydney Business Chamber has called on the NSW Government to release the business case and a construction timeline for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 following news reports that the NSW Government appears to be considering scrapping the project.
The Western Sydney Business Chamber alongside other peak organisations including the Committee for Sydney, Tourism & Transport Forum, Western Sydney Business Connection, NSW Business Chamber, Property Council of Australia (NSW), Sydney Olympic Park Business Association, Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue and the City of Parramatta endorsed Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 as a priority public transport project to the Premier and Transport Minister in a joint letter in May. The letter was endorsed by 70 of Western Sydney's leading business and community organisations.
"Scrapping Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 would challenge the NSW Government's narrative around public transport delivery," said David Borger, Executive Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber.
"Western Sydney has endorsed Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 – it's now time for the Government to reveal its plans and get on with building it.
"The Eastern City gets a shiny new light rail but it looks like the growing communities along the Parramatta River will have to make do with a glorified bus route to shuttle residents to the future West Metro if the Government pulls the pin on Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.
"It would be incredibly short-sighted to scrap the Stage 2 extension of Parramatta Light Rail. Parramatta Light Rail will make West Metro work – they should be considered as the same project not separate.
"If you are building a metro station at Sydney Olympic Park you need a mass transit system such as light rail to transport people from the growing communities of Wentworth Point and Melrose Park and take pressure of the Western and Northern Lines.
"There are communities from a range of socio-economic backgrounds from Rydalmere and Ermington to Melrose Park and Wentworth Point that currently have access to a sub-standard public transport service. Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will allow these communities access to the booming job markets in both Parramatta and Sydney CBD within 30 minutes or so.
"The goal of the Greater Sydney Commission's three cities strategy is to create 30 minute cities. Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 with Sydney Metro West will create a 30 minute city in the geographical heart of Sydney but only if they are both built.
"The NSW Government has a preferred light rail builder and operator for Stage 1 – now is the time to expand those contracts to build Stage 2 and save time and money over the longer term." Mr Borger said.
