The delayed North West Rail Link in Sydney was originally meant to be completed in 2010. Following the election and changes of Premiers, the project was sidelined and the plans changed.
Newly elected Premier Barry O’Farrell unveiled the NSW Government’s strategy to ‘speed up planning and construction’ of the rail link today.
O’Farrell said: “The fast tracking of the North West Rail Link is one of the NSW Government’s priority election commitments – and it will be delivered.”
“A project team has already been established to accelerate work on the line and a new community information centre will be established soon,” he said.
“We expect geotechnical work to begin later this year – in line with our commitment to start on the project as soon as possible.”
The project team has been recruited to determine the full cost of the link, planning approvals, create plans on how the network will integrate with the rest of the rail network and hold discussions with communities along the proposed route.
“The North West Rail Link will serve a population of 360,000 which is conservatively expected to grow to 485,000 by 2021,” O’Farrell said.
“This 23-kilometre line will take passengers from areas including Rouse Hill, Castle Hill and the Norwest Business Park to and from the city and make life easier and cheaper for the forgotten people of North Western Sydney.
Ms Berejiklian, Minister for Transport said the project team would be headed by Rodd Staples, currently Deputy Director General at Transport NSW where he leads the Infrastructure Division.
“Mr Staples has extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors in NSW, Queensland and Victoria,” Ms Berejiklian said.
