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Rail reaps billion dollar windfall in NSW state budget

Mike Baird

A new CBD station, new trains and improved access were among the many highlights in the Budget handed down by Mike Baird’s NSW Government on Tuesday.

State minister for transport and infrastructure Andrew Constance said in all the Budget includes $9 billion for public transport, including $3.5 billion to get on with major infrastructure projects.

“This year’s transport budget, together with the funds we’ve unlocked through the NSW Government’s $20 billion Rebuilding NSW plan, mean we can continue at rapid pace to modernise transport services and infrastructure across the state,” Constance said.

“We’re delivering game-changing projects that will set NSW up for decades to come, while investing in services that will improve everyday lives.”

More than $1 billion is set aside for the whole of the Sydney Metro project, to build a metro-style, automated rail line from Sydney’s north west, under the harbour and through to Bankstown. This includes $977 million for the Sydney Metro Northwest – the section of the project which is already underway, and was formerly known as the North West Rail Link. The Metro funding also includes $84 million for the Sydney Metro City & Southwest section, to extend the line through the CBD and west to Bankstown.

That funding includes confirmation of a new train station at Barangaroo, as was rumoured in a number of sources on Monday.

Aside from Metro, Constance said light rail continues to be a key focus, with $120 million in the Budget for major construction of the Sydney Light Rail, $19 million to progress planning for Western Sydney Light Rail, and $103 million committed to start construction on light rail in Newcastle.

Rail isn’t the only part of public transport getting some love: the Budget also includes $92 million for new and replacement buses across the state, $12 million towards new ferries for Sydney Harbour and $2 million for four new Parramatta River ferry vessels.

Constance described the $94 million commitment to procuring the next-generation intercity train fleet as “a big win for regional customers”.

The Budget sets aside $1.2 billion on rail maintenance and $74 million towards a rail operations centre to manage delays. There is also $37 million for major upgrades on the T1 Western Line to increase train reliability and capacity, and $43 million to modernise Wynyard Station, Constance added.

Budget highlights for transport

  • $977 million towards delivering the Sydney Metro Northwest, with the line due to open in the first half of 2019
  • $890 million to be invested over the next four years on station upgrades and more commuter car parks
  • $120 million to keep progressing the CBD and South East Light Rail
  • $103 million to progress construction on light rail in Newcastle
  • $209 million for the upgrade and maintenance of Country Rail Network assets, including replacement of old timber sleepers with modern long-life steel sleepers, resurfacing track and replacement of bridges and culverts (includes $56 million for grain rail lines)
  • $124 million (state and federal funding) for the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor to improve freight rail access through the Sydney-Newcastle rail corridor between Strathfield and Broadmeadow
  • As part of a $20 million initiative to deliver upgrades on key sections of the Country Rail Network, $5 million will be invested to expand on the existing program to deliver rail siding extensions to improve train loading rates for grain
  • $94 million to continue procurement of the next-generation intercity train fleet
  • $5 million for the NSW Cargo Movement Coordination Centre, which will improve efficiency and reliability of freight rail operations throughout NSW and increase rail mode share