Green light given to the next phase of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2

The New South Wales Government has given the go ahead to begin main construction works on the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project that will ultimately connect Sydney’s second CBD with Sydney Olympic Park. 

Main construction activities will commence in early 2027 on the new 10-kilometre light rail route that will link Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Olympic Park, with more than 14 light rail stops. 

The route will run through one of the fastest growing areas of Sydney, providing the transport infrastructure needed to support new housing going in, particularly around Wentworth Point which was developed without sufficient public transport links. 

In the coming weeks, the State Government will start procurement for the next phase of construction works – known as Stage 2a from Camellia to Wentworth Point. 

Stage 2a main works will deliver: 

• 4.5 kilometres of new track 

• A new bridge linking Camellia and Rydalmere 

• Nine new light rail stops 

• An expanded Stabling and Maintenance Facility 

• Additional light rail vehicles 

This phase of the main works is anticipated to create over 2,000 construction jobs as well as other opportunities in Western Sydney. 

“Giving the green light to begin construction on Stage 2a Main Works will boost Western Sydney’s economy and support the new housing hubs at Melrose Park, Wentworth Point, Sydney Olympic Park and the Carter Street precinct. 

“Expanding the system to Sydney Olympic Park will be another game-changer for jobs, leisure and, importantly, to provide public transport to some areas that have never had it before. 

“Parramatta Light Rail’s first year of operation has improved connectivity in our area, giving local residents and visitors to our city another transport alternative to jumping in the car,” Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said. 

Project map (source: NSW Government)

To date, about $3 billion in funding has been allocated to deliver Stage 2, which will link to the existing Parramatta Light Rail system that carries up to 90,000 passengers a week. 

While procurement for the Main Works contract progresses, the project will focus on early works, site investigations, detailed utility designs, and begin property acquisition. 

Major construction is already underway on the first phase of Stage 2. This phase will deliver enabling works including the construction of piles that will hold the first new public and active transport bridge crossing of the Parramatta River in more than three and a half decades. The enabling works are being carried out by John Holland Pty Ltd. 

Since 2023, the Minns Labor Government has accelerated planning as well as finalised the business case for the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project, with Federal Environmental and State Planning approvals already in place. 

“Labor committed to delivering the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail system and today we open the way for construction works to begin via the main works contract, which will shortly go out to tender. 

“Linking Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park will provide a much-needed public transport link that was so often promised under the former Liberal government but never delivered, despite the rapid population and housing growth that has made this part of Sydney such a fast-growing area. 

“The Minns Labor Government is focused on delivery of transport infrastructure that keeps up with the housing development Sydney needs and gives people – particularly those who have moved into Western Sydney – a viable alternative to sitting in a car in traffic,” Minister for Transport John Graham said. 

Key features of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project include:

• 14 fully accessible stops over a 10-kilometre two-way track

• Connections to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1, Sydney Metro West and heavy rail in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park; and ferry services at Rydalmere and Sydney Olympic Park
• A total of 9.5 kilometres of integrated active transport (including 8.5 kilometres of new shared paths) to support healthy, liveable and connected communities.
• A shared light rail and pedestrian zone along Dawn Fraser Avenue in Sydney Olympic Park between Australia Avenue and Olympic Boulevard
• New public and active transport bridges, including connections over the Parramatta River from Camellia to Rydalmere and Melrose Park to Wentworth Point
• Frequent services between 5am and 1am
• Travel times of around 31 minutes from Camellia to the Carter Street Precinct via Sydney Olympic Park, and a further 7 minutes to the Parramatta CBD

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; NSW Government – Parramatta Light Rail; Roads & Infrastructure Australia