The first stage of the Parramatta light rail project has now received planning approval and construction is due to start by the end of this year, the NSW Government has announced.
Expected to open in 2023, Stage 1 of the Parramatta light rail will run 12-kilometres between Westmead and Carlingford via Parramatta CBD and Camellia.
Following the announcement in Parramatta on Wednesday, state planning minister Anthony Roberts told the media that the approval came after an extensive consultation process with the community, local businesses and major stakeholders.
“People across the region have taken the time to share their feedback and we have listened, with a number of significant design changes made in response to further investigation and issues raised by stakeholders and the community,” Roberts said.
The environmental impact statement (EIS) for the project was released for public display between 23 August and 23 October last year, during which government agencies, stakeholders, and members of the community were able to make submissions to NSW’s Department of Planning and Environment.
A total of 156 submissions were received during the EIS display period – 15 from government agencies and other key stakeholders, and 141 from the community (including businesses and special interest groups).
A Transport for NSW report released in March indicated that among the issues most frequently raised were around traffic transport and access, project design (including project alternatives), and concerns about socio-economic and business impacts, and the project’s heritage, environmental impacts, including concerns about noise, vibration and dust during construction. Eleven design changes were made to the Parramatta light rail project in response to the submissions and further design investigations have been carried out.
Yesterday, State transport minister Andrew Constance ruled out the involvement of Spanish subcontractor Acciona – the subcontractor overseeing the Sydney light rail project and which is currently in a legal battle with the government – in the construction of the Parramatta line, but said two companies had been shortlisted to carry out the build.
“George Street was delayed because of the action of Acciona,” Constance said. “We will not have this problem here because we will get on with the job.”
While businesses in the CBD have complained of shrinking sales and lost revenues due to the protracted construction of the Sydney light rail project, Constance claimed that the Parramatta version would be delivered “on time and on budget”, with disruptions to businesses limited to “months not years”.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that the construction of the first stage of the light rail project would be an “exciting time for the people of Parramatta”, as the completed line would better connect western Sydney suburbs and allow people to “turn up and go” to their desired destinations.
“Parramatta Light Rail will create close to 5000 jobs, connect communities along the route and transform the way that people explore all the attractions that Western Sydney has to offer, with a light rail service every 7.5 minutes in peak periods,” the premier said.
“Major projects such as Parramatta Light Rail are only possible thanks to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals and Nationals government.”
Labour’s Opposition Leader Luke Foley said the government ought not “boast” about its ability to deliver the Parramatta project on-time when the Sydney project had been so delayed and beset by problems.
“[The premier] can’t tell us when the Sydney light rail project of hers will ever be finished, it is running about two years behind schedule, and yet she has got the gall to get up and boast that she is going to deliver one in Parramatta,” Foley said.
While the premier has said that she expects the light rail project to increase foot traffic for businesses along its route upon completion 2023, several businesses owners on Parramatta’s Church Street have told the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald that this might be too long a wait if the disruptions are as protracted as those on the Sydney project.
The government has not said whether it will consider providing compensation for businesses affected by the construction process.
“We expect the project to remain on time and on budget,” the premier said.
“If during any time of the project there are challenges that we didn’t anticipate, of course we will deal with those as empathetic as we can.”