Transforming Sydney: $6.4 Billion for 'Big Six' Transport Infrastructure Projects

Posted On June 16, 2013

The Hon Barry O’Farrell MP
Premier of NSW
Minister for Western Sydney

The NSW budget includes investment of $6.4 billion on the ‘big six’ public transport infrastructure projects which are set to kick off unprecedented levels of construction over the coming years and change the way people move around greater Sydney.

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said the massive amount of capital investment showed the NSW Government was committed to building infrastructure which will make a real difference to commuters.

“This Government committed to addressing the public transport challenges in Sydney and here is the proof we are getting on with the job of delivering,” Mr O’Farrell said.

These projects will also create jobs and provide a boost to the economy. The state budget includes over four years:

$4 billion for construction of the 36km North West Rail Link, with the first tunnel boring machines due in the ground next year;
$782 million for the 11.4km South West Rail Link between Glenfield and Leppington, due for completion in 2016 but currently running six months ahead of schedule;
$423 million for a 12km light rail line connecting Circular Quay and Central via George Street, the Moore Park sporting and entertainment precinct, Randwick Racecourse, the University of NSW and Prince of Wales Hospital at Randwick
which will allow the removal of up to 220 buses an hour that clog the city’s
streets;
$885 million for the Northern Sydney Freight Corridor*, which will improve freight access, take 200,000 trucks off the road each year, and improve the reliability of commuter services from the Central Coast, inner west and northern
Sydney;
$224 million for Wynyard Walk, a vital pedestrian link under the city to link up to 20,000 public transport commuters an hour with Barangaroo; and,
$76 million for the Inner West Light Rail Extension, a 5.6 kilometre new line from Lilyfield to Dulwich Hill with nine new stops, due to open next year.

During construction, the projects will create in total more than 5,000 direct jobs per year and significantly more indirect jobs.

“This is a Government that is committed to investing in desperately-needed transport infrastructure in this city and the financial commitment we are making shows that we are serious about building for the future,” Mr O’Farrell said.

“From Leppington to Rouse Hill to the Central Coast and Randwick, over the coming years it will be impossible to travel around without seeing construction work underway on vital transport projects.”

He said the expenditure on public transport infrastructure this year will be 32 per cent greater than last year, a record $4.1 billion.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said the NSW Government was committed to providing service improvements to go with the infrastructure investment.

“We’re investing billions in much-need infrastructure for public transport customers who have been neglected for so long, but we’ve also invested in 3000 extra public transport services a week since we came to Government and we have more on the way with new timetables starting in October,” she said.

“Under the NSW Liberals & Nationals the people of NSW have a Government in place with a real plan to fix public transport – through new modern infrastructure, more and better services and by getting our transport providers to focus on the needs of the customer.”

Treasurer Mike Baird said the NSW Government was committed to investing in quality infrastructure.

“We are facing an immense challenge to fund the backlog of critical infrastructure across NSW and this week’s budget will deliver targeted funding where it is desperately needed,” Mr Baird said.

“This Government is proud to be able to deliver quality public transport to communities neglected by the former Government for so long, and to deliver projects that will change the city for decades to come.”

* The $1.1 billion Northern Sydney Freight Corridor is jointly funded by the NSW government ($214 million) and Commonwealth government ($840 million).

Source: ProjectLink.com.au

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