Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr John Chedid today welcomed confirmation that the State Government is seriously considering the Council’s proposal for a Western Sydney light rail network as a 2015 election commitment.

 

“This is great news for Parramatta and western Sydney – I’m delighted this much-needed project for our region is attracting vital support from the State Government,” Cr Chedid said.

 

“I plan to meet soon with Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian to discuss how we can work together with the Government and private sector to deliver the network as soon as possible  

 

“As Lord Mayor, I have been campaigning for this project for several years. Our Council has conducted a detailed feasibility study which shows the project is viable at a total cost of $1.7 billion.

 

“The network will link two of the nation’s fastest growing CBDs, Parramatta and Macquarie Park, and also the Hills district, which supplies 60 per cent of Parramatta’s workforce.”         

 

Cr Chedid said the network would be fast and frequent, with services coming every 10 minutes and every five minutes for stops within the Parramatta CBD

 

“It will address the two main challenges facing Western Sydney: creating jobs and catering for a fast growing population. By 2031, the network will support 180,000 jobs and 50,000 homes.

 

“The feasibility study has identified potential stops and routes along the network, which consists of two lines – the Macquarie Park Line and the Castle Hill Line.

 

“The Macquarie Park Line will connect Westmead, Cumberland Hospital, through Parramatta CBD, the University of Western Sydney, Dundas, Eastwood and Macquarie Park. “From Parramatta, the Castle Hill Line follows Windsor Road, to Baulkham Hills and through the Castle Hill Trading Zone to Castle Hill and interchange to the North West Rail Link.

 

“Both lines travel between Rydalmere and North Parramatta, across Parramatta CBD. This will strengthen the connections between employment and education, and support Parramatta’s growth.

 

“Our study recommends that the Macquarie Line be constructed first as it is expected to have strong patronage throughout the day and evening, from students and health workers at Westmead and the University of Western Sydney,” Cr Chedid said.