Parramatta Light Rail Go-Ahead Critical for Western Sydney

The Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has welcomed the NSW Government’s decision to give the green light to begin construction on Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail, describing the project as critical to the future of Greater Western Sydney.

Dialogue CEO Adam Leto said the announcement marked an important step forward for a project that has been advocated for over many years.

“Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is not a nice-to-have, it is an essential investment in our region, Mr Leto said. “The Dialogue has long argued that connecting Parramatta to growing suburbs in its east, and eventually Sydney Olympic Park, is fundamental to supporting housing growth, jobs and economic activity across the Greater West.

“That’s why we’ve been calling for Stage 2 to proceed for a decade. Mr Leto noted that the project was the key focus of the Dialogue’s WestLine Partnership, launched in 2016, which brought together business, government and community leaders to argue for east–west transport connections to complement Parramatta’s north–south links.

“The scale of population growth around Wentworth Point, Melrose Park and Olympic Park has made the need for this project unavoidable.”

While welcoming the commencement of Stage 2a works, Mr Leto said it was critical that the full Stage 2 project be delivered in a timely manner.

“Western Sydney’s growth will not pause, and our infrastructure delivery must keep pace.” Mr Leto said the Light Rail had already proven its value in Parramatta and would play an increasingly important role in reducing congestion, supporting new housing supply and strengthening the economic links between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park.

“The Dialogue looks forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government and project partners to ensure this project is delivered in full and delivers the outcomes our region needs,” he said.