Future of Sydney Metro remains uncertain

By Jennifer Perry

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, there has been “wide speculation” in the Sydney media that Keneally is considering dumping stage one of the metro, Central to Rozelle (CBD Metro), and bringing forward stage two, Westmead to Central (West Metro). Construction of the West Metro had been planned to follow the completion of the CBD Metro.
A statement released by the Premier’s Office said that a decision on the future of Sydney’s metro rail network will be announced late this month, but only “after a proper Cabinet and Budget Committee process”.
Keneally said that the metro is being considered as part of an overall and broader approach to land use and transport planning for the future and for the people of NSW.
 “We are committed to a metro network for Sydney, but the plan that we put to the people has to meet the needs of where commuters live and work by combining land use and transport planning,” Keneally said.
Media reports have accused Keneally of being “less committed” than her predecessor, Nathan Rees, and transport minister, David Campbell.
When contacted by Rail Express, a spokesperson for Campbell refused to comment on any media speculation.
“In terms of the metro, the details of what form it will take will be release later this month in the transport blueprint,” the spokesperson said.
The NSW government’s long awaited transport blueprint – a $180 billion plan to overhaul NSW’s public transport over the next 25 years was originally due to be announced last November.
NSW opposition leader Barry O’Farell and shadow minister for transport Gladys Berejiklian said Keneally should “stop making excuses” and axe the Sydney Metro before any more money is wasted.
“The Premier and Transport Minister still can’t agree in public on whether this costly and unwanted project is going ahead...” O’Farrell said.
“It simply doesn’t make sense to continue to spend hundreds of millions of taxpayer’s dollars on a project which may or may not go ahead at the expense of long-promised rail links to the South West and North West of Sydney.”
Berejiklian said the NSW Opposition’s transport priority it to build rail links to the North West and South West of Sydney rather than a $5.3 billion CBD Metro “that no one wants”.