Calls to extend the Parramatta Light Rail out to Lidcombe are growing, after the State Government announced construction of Stage 2 would finally begin later this year.
Cumberland Council Mayor Lisa Lake has welcomed the $2 billion commitment to deliver the next stage of the mammoth transport infrastructure project – but she’s urging the NSW Government not to forget about Lidcombe.
“I call on the Government to examine and include an extension of light rail from Sydney Olympic Park to Lidcombe as part of Parramatta Light Rail,” she said.
“This proposal has previously been endorsed by Council and included as part of the recommendations of the Legislative Council’s Parliamentary Inquiry into current and future public transport needs in western Sydney, following Council’s submissions and advice at the Inquiry.
“The extension of the light rail project to terminate at Lidcombe Station from Carter Street is critical in providing greater transport options to the busy Lidcombe precinct.”
Councillor Helen Hughes also backed the extension to Lidcombe Station.
“The parking problems that we have in Lidcombe [are] because people have got very little public transport,” she said.
“The few buses that go out over that way near Carter Street are just unacceptable to assist with the increased density that is now happening there.”
Stage 2 will see a 12km alignment link the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point with 14 new stops, three new river crossings and 8.5km of new walking and cycling paths.
Passengers will be able to travel from Sydney Olympic Park to Camellia in around 30 minutes, and on to the Parramatta CBD in another seven minutes.
Construction will be phased, with initial work to begin later this year on a new 320-metre public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River, between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said there are 280,000 people expected to live along the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 alignment by 2041.
“We know there are more communities that need access to this vital infrastructure investment,” she said.
“This investment will get shovels in the ground and construction started before the end of this parliamentary term. Just as we promised.”
The local Council will now write to Haylen, continuing to advocate for the extension of the Parramatta Light Rail from Carter Street at Sydney Olympic Park to terminate at Lidcombe Station.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.