The release of these reports coincided with the start of the World Congress on Railway Research in Sydney.
The reports, commissioned by Parramatta City Council, cover the economic, land use, transport, environmental, health and social impacts of a Western Sydney light rail network.
Parramatta Lord Mayor, Cr John Chedid said the NSW Government, under its open-for-business policy, is considering private sector bids to deliver the infrastructure NSW needs and this could include a light rail network for Western Sydney.
“The State Government recently launched an Expression of Interest process for the Sydney CBD light rail, which generated significant interest from the market place,” Cr Chedid said.
“We know there are two or three strong consortiums of world-class light rail companies preparing bids for the Sydney CBD light rail. We’re asking them to have a look at our light rail proposal, which has a strong case.
“Council has already been approached by several private investors interested in our proposal. However, we want to open this project up to the market place,” Cr Chedid said.
Council’s light rail feasibility study determined a four line regional network would deliver:
• $5 billion economic stimulus during construction
• $3 billion increase in Western Sydney’s Gross Regional Product
• $50 million in journey-time savings and
• $35 million in resource and social cost savings
Cr Chedid said the State Government has identified the feasibility study into a regional light rail network as a priority in its Long Term Transport Master Plan.
“We now need the State Government to take the next step and transform public transport in Western Sydney by undertaking a $10 million detailed study of the first line,” Cr Chedid said.
“Our study recommended the first priority be the Macquarie Park Line. This is a no brainer – it connects the biggest medical precinct in the southern hemisphere, two universities, a rapidly expanding business park and Parramatta, Sydney’s second CBD,” Cr Chedid said.
