Labor will allocate an additional $200 million in this week’s State Budget to push ahead the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project.
The commitment will expedite the project’s planning processes, providing a platform for the Government to meet its election commitment to see construction on the project begin this term of Parliament.
“Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is a vital transport link that will connect the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via the growing communities of Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point,” Premier Chris Minns, Transport Minister Jo Haylen and Parramatta MP Donna Davis said in a joint statement.
“The 10-kilometre extension will include 14 new light rail stops that will provide residents with a long-awaited public transport link and unlock future housing growth, serving a population of over 277,586 by 2041.
“Construction of this game-changing project will be phased, with the first phase being the construction of a 320-metre-long light rail and active transport bridge over the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park. Work on the new bridge will begin in 2024 and will be part of a new 8.5-kilometre walking and bike riding path that will run alongside the new light rail corridor.
Changes to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 alignment
This latest commitment comes as updates to the alignment of the future Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 are released, as part of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement that was undertaken last year.
Planned changes to the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 alignment include:
- Camellia foreshore to Rydalmere alignment and bridge amendment
- Bridge and route alignment between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point
- Replace existing bridge at Hill Road
Planning approval for the full project is expected in early 2024, and procurement is now underway for the Wentworth to Melrose bridge construction works package.
“The previous government announced and re-announced this project 17 times, we’re putting money where our mouth is and giving this project the impetus it needs,” Minns said.
“People bought in to growing communities in the centre of our city on the promise of future public transport links. The previous government couldn’t deliver on that promise, we will.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.