Western Sydney gets budget boost as $50m committed to Light Rail

Western Sydney has been delivered a long-awaited boost in the lead-up to the NSW Budget, with $50m committed to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

Stage two of the Light Rail is a fundamental plank in the Greater Sydney Commission’s vision for the Olympic peninsula, allowing for renewal of the public housing stock of Ermington, and will also provide relief for the residents of Wentworth Point who have been denied appropriate transport access for too long.

Better public transport connections from Sydney Olympic Park to its surrounding and growing residential suburbs is one of the most important issues holding the area back from reaching its full potential and supporting thousands of new jobs and homes. Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is a critical link to the growing communities in Wentworth Point and Melrose Park.

Building Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will help unlock the full potential of the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (G-POP) region driving millions of dollars of investment in new commercial buildings and housing. 

The NSW Government's $50 million commitment for planning and development works of Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail in the upcoming 2021-22 NSW Budget continues the record investment in public transport infrastructure.

The funding will go towards planning, utilities and geotechnical investigations, as well as progress the development of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement.

The NSW Government previously announced a preferred route for the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail that would connect Stage 1 and Parramatta CBD to Ermington, Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park.

The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 and 2 will provide links with Sydney Metro West at Parramatta, Westmead and Sydney Olympic Park and the existing rail network at Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park as well as ferries at Parramatta, Rydalmere and Wentworth Point.

Major construction of the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 is underway, connecting Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia, and is expected to commence operations in 2023.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will also improve accessibility for NRMA staff to Sydney Olympic Park.