CBD Metro Vital For West Metro

28 Oct 2009

Lord Mayor of Parramatta City Council Councillor Paul Garrard has rejected calls from fellow mayors at the Local Government and Shires Conference in Tamworth to scrap the CBD Metro while supporting claims that more money should be spent on developing other transport options in Sydney’s west.

Cr Paul Garrard has backed the State Government in its plans for the proposed CBD Metro, as the $5.3 billion project was just the first stage in the Sydney Metro rail development that would begin Metro Line 1 from Parramatta to Sydney and through to the northwest.

“The CBD Metro is a key component in the development of a broader more effective rail network,” Cr Garrard said.

Stage two of Metro Line 1 is West Metro connecting Sydney, and the inner west to Parramatta and Westmead. This project will deliver improved infrastructure for Australia’s busiest transport corridor.

“The Metro will not only provide a new rail corridor for commuters but also help alleviate pressure on existing bus and rail services, not to mention reliving traffic congestion in the western corridor.  A key feature of the CBD Metro is the development of a depot, servicing the entire proposed Metro network, at Rozelle,” he said.

“In order to service the commuting needs of workers, especially those travelling to and from the inner west, it is vital to have an additional public transport as part of an integrated network,” Cr Garrard said.

“Western Sydney is already one of the fastest growing regions in the country and with 30,000 new workers set to call Parramatta home over the next 20 years, this trend is not going to slow down.

“The West Metro is vital to Parramatta as a gateway to Australia’s third largest economy, Western Sydney,” Cr Garrard said.

“This 24 kilometre line will provide a crucial link to the inner west and CBD and I’d encourage the Federal and State Governments to find further funding to ensure this important project is delivered on time.”