New funding to get works going on NSW Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2

The delivery of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is pushing ahead, and the New South Wales Government is committing $602.4 million to get construction going and a detailed planning process started. 

Stage 2 of the light rail project will connect Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. 

“We’ve overseen a great decade of delivery and that will continue with another transformative Western Sydney Project linking Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park. 

“This vital piece of infrastructure will support the growth of Western Sydney while linking to another enormous project in Sydney Metro West, improving quality of life by slashing daily commute times. 

“Our strong economic management allows us to continue to invest in the future of our communities to build the projects that make a real difference,” Premier Dominic Perrottet said. 

The new funding will get the gear going on early works as well as the construction of the Wentworth Point Bridge while detailed planning for the project progresses. 

“Construction on the project will begin with a bridge connecting Wentworth Point to Melrose Park and other early works to deliver Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2,” Minister for Infrastructure, Cities and Active Transport Rob Stokes said. 

The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will feature: 

• 15 highly accessible stops over a 10-kilometre track 
• Travel times of around 25 minutes from Sydney Olympic Park to Camellia, and a further 8 minutes to Parramatta CBD 
• Connection to three transport interchanges on the Stage 1 alignment: future Sydney Metro West and heavy rail in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park; and ferry services at Rydalmere and Sydney Olympic Park 
• 8.5-kilometre walking and bike-riding path running parallel to the light rail corridor and linking to the existing network 
• A shared light rail and pedestrian zone along Dawn Fraser Avenue in Sydney Olympic Park between Australia Avenue and Olympic Boulevard 
• New light rail and active transport bridges, including vital connections over the Parramatta River from Camellia to Rydalmere and Melrose Park to Wentworth Point 

“This will connect people from the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via the growing Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. 

“It means residents won’t be condemned to a car-dependent future and businesses will be supported by a world-class mass transit system,” Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said. 

Parramatta Light Rail alignment (source: NSW Government - Parramatta Light Rail)

Treasurer Matt Kean said that the State Government will continue delivering world class infrastructure for the people of New South Wales. 

“Since 2011, we’ve invested more than $178 billion in critical projects that have improved the lives of millions. 

“This is another significant investment in Western Sydney that will support the growing Central River City,” Mr Kean said. 

According to Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott, the Parramatta Light Rail Project plays a big role in boosting investment and development in Greater Parramatta to the Olympic Peninsula. 

“This is a great victory for the people of Western Sydney and a solid indication to the construction industry that the NSW Government is committed to the long-term infrastructure needs of the State. 

“We’ve only just seen 100 per cent of tracks laid across the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 project as well as construction of the light rail stops along Church Street. Stage 2 will drive revenue for small businesses in the area and change how the community travel and connect to places across Greater Parramatta in the future,” Minister Elliott said. 

The Environmental Impact Statement for the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project is scheduled to be released by the end of this year. 

On the other hand, Stage 1 of the light rail development – which will connect Westmead to Carlingford – is currently under construction and is expected to be operational in 2023. 

Source: NSW Government – Parramatta Light Rail (1, 2, 3); NSW Government – Media Releases; Roads & Infrastructure Australia