Proposed stations and corridor revealed for West Metro, but no funding available

However Campbell reportedly said that he is unable to give a date for commencement or completion of construction because funding is not available.
“[I’m] not trying to hide anything, I’m simply saying that we have to do the strategic and long-term planning,” he reportedly said.
Referring to the project as the “next exciting phase” of the development of Sydney’s Metro, Campbell said the West Metro will bring a state-of-the-art mass transit system to the western suburbs of Sydney and deliver an important alternative transport option on the city’s busiest transport corridor.
“[The western corridor from Parramatta to the CBD] accounts for 9.26 million passenger kilometres of daily travel, and generating $125 billion in economic activity, 12 per cent of Australian GDP and over 38 per cent of the GDP of Sydney,” he said.
With a further $91 million from the Federal Government for detailed planning and pre-construction work, Campbell said the NSW Government will ensure “we are ready to go” with major construction contracts as further funding becomes available.
“The next step is to start the planning approval process with the lodgement of a Preliminary Environmental Assessment and Project Application with the Department of Planning.
“An extensive community consultation process will now get away, and Sydney Metro [Authority] will work closely with the community and stakeholders over the coming year to complete an Environmental Assessment of the project.”
He said the NSW Government is continuing pre-construction work on the Sydney Metro, with the detailed environmental assessment being finalised, land acquisition starting and the tender process for construction and operation underway.
The recommended station locations for the West Metro are: Sydney University; Burwood; Camelia; Camperdown; Strathfield; Parramatta; Leichardt; Sydney Olympic Park; Westmead; Five Dock; and Silverwater.
NSW Premier Nathan Rees announced also on June 23rd that the Sydney Metro project would deliver an “iconic” public square in the CBD as part of constructing a new metro station at Town hall.
Bounded by Pitt, Park and George Streets, Rees said the new Town Hall square will help “re-create the significance” of the historical precinct facing the QVB building and Town Hall.
“The addition of the park will help turn this key city intersection into a green gateway in the middle of Australia’s largest city,” he said.
With the City of Sydney to build and manage the park when the site becomes available after the construction of the new metro station, Campbell said that a number of properties will be required to create the park.
“Negotiations with property owners have just begun and provision will be made to address the inconvenience of relocation for any long term lease holders,” he said.
“Geotechnical surveys resulted in the alignment of the Town hall Square Metro station needing to be shifted slightly south.
“Moving the station in this way means that the corner of Park and George Streets have become the perfect site for station construction.
“Some of these buildings were already earmarked for demolition and a thorough process will be used to negotiate with all owners.
“As a result of the changes, the heritage buildings in Pitt Street...are no longer required for the project.”
Submissions from the public in relation to the Sydney Metro project can be made now and any time up to and throughout the Environmental Assessment exhibition process, which will take place later this year.

For further details of the refinements to the station sites and alignments visit:
www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au