The Australian and NSW governments have committed to deliver the first stage of the North South Rail Link from St Marys to the future Western Sydney Airport as part of the implementation plan for the Western Sydney City Deal, released this week.
The first of 32 commitments listed in the document is to deliver rail for the future Western Parklands City, to be centred around the ‘aerotropolis’ which will be developed around Western Sydney Airport.
A key component of that commitment is to open the rail line in time for the airport’s targeted opening date, which is 2026.
In the immediate future the NSW Government will protect suitable corridors for the project, and both governments are tipping in $50 million for a business case, which will be finished by the end of 2019.
While the initial plan is to build the ‘first stage’ of the full North South Rail Link – connecting the new airport with the existing Sydney Trains network at St Marys, to the North – the business case will include investigation of integrated transport and delivery options for a full North South Rail Link from Schofields to Macarthur, and a South West Rail Link to connect Leppington to the new airport.
Cities, urban infrastructure and population minister Alan Tudge said the City Deal implementation plan would ensure residents “get the liveable, productive and sustainable city they deserve”.
“We’re working across governments, industries and communities to bring Western Sydney Parkland to life.”