EA released for Sydney Metro Stage One

Comparing the scale and complexity of the project to the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Campbell said the Sydney Metro network will “revolutionise” the city and boost its standing on the international stage.
The EA’s release follows extensive community feedback and reveals all the options for the six stations and various construction locations. It also sets out new options for the Pyrmont and Rozelle Metro stations.
“The environmental assessment brings a focus to revitalising underused urban areas at Rozelle and Pyrmont, and creating and improving public spaces within the CBD,” Infrastructure Partnerships Australia’s (IPA) executive director Bryan Lyon said.
Lyon said that the EA highlights the “transformational effects” a well designed, well delivered and well operated metro could have on the Sydney CBD and other areas.
With Sydney’s future population set to grow more than seven million and 90 per cent of this growth to occur in existing urban areas, Lyon said that Sydney’s “legacy” rail and bus networks will not be able to cope with this growth and subsequent demand for travel in the city.
“The key challenge facing Sydney’s transport system is integrating existing heavy rail, bus networks and other public transport with the new Metro network, delivering best value for money and easing urban congestion,” he said.
The release of the final environmental assessment, which predicts that the Sydney Metro will remove 40 per cent of buses from George St, brings that process a step closer, and now sets the project up for full approval by the end of the year, Lyon said.
“Getting the CBD Metro underway also brings the crucial West Metro, linking Parramatta and the Inner West to the CBD, a step closer to fruition, with teams now able to move on to undertaking the final assessment for the West component of a future network,” he said.
Campbell said that as part of the release of the EA, the NSW Government was also publicly releasing computer generated footage which planners had used to map out the tunnel route.
Following the public exhibition of the EA, Campbell said that all public submissions will be considered by the director of planning and Sydney Metro will prepare a response to the issues raised in those submissions.
Campbell said that he anticipated enabling construction works to start by the end of summer.

To view the EA and for more details on Sydney Metro community information days to be held in September visit: www.sydneymetro.nsw.gov.au