A Minns Labor Government will start construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 within its first term of Government, with a $200 million investment to finalise planning approvals, commence market engagement and procurement processes for major civil contracts and begin early and enabling construction works.
This commitment from Labor comes on top of the existing $602.4 million for constructing the bridges and doing planning work to deliver Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.
The NSW Liberals first promised to deliver Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 in June 2014.
Since then there has been 15 reannouncements, and not a single shovel in the ground to begin construction.
The Parramatta LGA will grow by 127,296 people by 2041. That is the single largest LGA growth number in the state.
Families have already moved into these growing areas on the back off promises by the Liberal Government that infrastructure like transport and schools would be built.
On the NSW Liberal’s timeline, residents in dense and growing communities like Wentworth Point and Melrose Park will have to wait until 2031 before they get the public transport service they have been promised for years.
To put this into perspective a child born on the day that the announcement for Parramatta Light Rail stage 2 was announced in 2014, they would have graduated high school before it’s completed.
However Labor’s decision to proceed as soon as possible will mean that residents won’t have to wait as long to get the critical public transport services their growing communities need.
By funding the early works of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2, residents know they will actually get a light rail – not simply replacement buses.
Labor will also use the construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to support local manufacturing and local content, not just of rolling stock, but in the civil construction space as well.
This is a tired, 12 year old Government who is not delivering for this state. It’s time for a fresh start in New South Wales.
NSW Labor Leader, Chris Minns said:
“It’s time to get Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 built. Labor will stop talking about this project and start building. That’s what the people of Western Sydney expect and need.”
“The Liberals have announced this project sixteen times since 2014 but haven’t lifted a finger to begin construction.”
“Western Sydney has been left behind. Time and time again the Liberals have put the housing in place without the infrastructure to support our growing communities.”
“People move into new areas on the back of Dominic Perrottet’s big promises, but the delivery never comes.
“It’s time for a fresh start for New South Wales, and I’m determined to deliver that for the people of New South Wales.”
Shadow Minister for Transport Jo Haylen MP:
“Labor will build Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 because growing communities in Western Sydney deserve public transport services that are as good as those in the east and the north.
“This isn’t just about delivering on broken promises made by the Liberals, it’s about making sure these communities have a better quality of life.”
Donna Davis NSW Labor Candidate for Parramatta:
“Our community is experiencing massive population growth, but the Liberals just haven’t delivered the public transport services that these growing areas need.”
“When the Liberals first promised Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail people took them at their word. People bought homes, opened businesses and made investments along the route because of the promises made by the Liberals.
“They haven’t delivered.”
“If Labor is elected, construction begins in our first term. This is a win for our growing communities, let down by the Perrottet Government.”
CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER
JO HAYLEN MP
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT
DONNA DAVIS
NSW LABOR CANDIDATE FOR PARRAMATTA
