New South Wales 2012/13 Budget

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the Budget puts a priority on progressing major transport infrastructure initiatives that will improve the day to day experience of customers, such as the North West Rail Link and South West Rail Link, extension of light rail and introduction of electronic ticketing.

“Early construction work will start on the North West Rail Link later this year with $360 million to fund the preparation of major construction sites, property acquisition and the second Environmental Impact Statement,” she said.

“The Budget allocates $3.3 billion over the next four years for the construction of the North West Rail Link.

“Budget funding also allows the North West Rail Link project team to prepare for the awarding of the major construction contracts, with major tunnelling scheduled to start in 2014.

“This Budget caters for major population growth in South West Sydney, with $397 million set aside to continue crucial construction of the South West Rail Link.

“Customers will also see real progress on an enhanced and integrated public transport network as part of our promise to correct years of neglect and bring the State’s transport services to a world class standard.”

Funding for other rail related items in the NSW 2012/13 Budget, some of which has been previously announced, or is part of ongoing projects and maintenance programs, include:

·         Major investment in rail safety programs, including $50 million to progress the roll out of Automatic Train Protection, $50 million towards the State’s Digital Train Radio program and $14.5 million towards the provision of Internal Emergency Door release systems on carriages.

·         $124 million towards delivering electronic ticketing for ferries, trains, buses and light rail across the greater Sydney region. The Opal card will begin to be rolled out on ferries at the end of the year.

·         $116 million to begin construction of the 5.6 kilometre Inner West Light Rail Extension from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill, including nine new stops plus an extra $25 million to plan for future light rail development.

·         $148 million in funding this year for the new Transport Access Program to improve access to the public transport network, including station upgrades, better accessibility to CityRail Stations, improved parking and transport interchanges and commuter wharf improvements.

·         $84.5 million to progress the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor Program to improve the capacity and reliability of freight trains travelling on the Main North Line between North Strathfield and Broadmeadow plus a further $9.86 million to contribute to work on the Southern Sydney Freight Line.

·         $95 million for infrastructure upgrades for the rollout of the new Waratah trains.

·         More than $114 million on the Clearways Program to improve on-time running and capacity on the CityRail network. Funding in this year’s Budget will allow work to continue on the Liverpool Turnback program and the Kingsgrove to Revesby quadruplication.

·         $32 million towards the purchase of 99 new outer suburban Oscar cars for the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and the Illawarra.

·         $182 million for the Country Regional Network, including $117 million for network maintenance, $43 million for new sleepers and $3.2 million to renew bridges.