The Albanese Government is building on its recent $1 billion investment to protect the corridor for the South West Sydney Rail Extension by investing $32.5 million to map out other road and rail corridors across the city.
We're investing $20 million to plan for three future programs:
- A preliminary business case for the New Cumberland Line
- A preliminary business case for T8 Airport & South and T2 Leppington & Inner West line upgrades
- Outer South West Housing Enablement Development Program
Building on the current Cumberland Line on the Sydney rail network, the New Cumberland Line would provide an enhanced north west-south west rail connection, better linking Western Sydney's major population centres.
The preliminary business case will provide Government with a road map for future investments in transformative north-south rail links to improve public transport between Greater Parramatta, Fairfield, Bradfield and Liverpool.
Upgrades to the T8 Airport & South and T2 Leppington & Inner West rail lines will also be explored, to better connect Sydney's south west to Parramatta and the harbour CBD.
The Preliminary Business Case will consider investments to upgrade existing rail networks and expand fast, frequent and reliable rail services into Sydney's Outer South West.
To support this, we're investing in the Outer South West Housing Enablement Development Program component will support project development on future infrastructure initiatives that enable new housing and improve transport links in outer South West Sydney.
An additional $12.5 million will also be invested to develop Final Business Cases for both the Devonshire Link Road and Bradfield Metro Link Road, critical connections in the Western Sydney International Airport Precinct Road Network. Investing in these business cases delivers on a high priority recommendation of the 2023 Western Sydney Transport Infrastructure Panel Independent Report.
When built, the Bradfield Metro Link Road will link Fifteenth Avenue, Badgerys Creek Road and the Eastern Ring Road. The Australian and NSW governments recently announced a $1 billion joint investment to upgrade Fifteenth Avenue.
Subject to finalisation of the scope, the 3 kilometre long, 45 metre wide road is expected to feature two traffic lanes and two dedicated bus lanes, as well as walking and cycling shared paths on both sides.
The Devonshire Road Link Project is a critical junction that completes the network of road projects, including Mamre Road, Elizabeth Drive, and the M12 Motorway. This vital link will also connect the Mamre Road Precinct, which hosts the Western Sydney Employment Area and the future freight intermodal, to the M12 and the Elizabeth Drive, reducing travel times and improving freight access and connectivity.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"Sydney's incredible growth has to be matched by an ambitious and well-considered infrastructure pipeline.
"Our final business cases will bed down the future roads the Western Sydney Airport precinct needs to keep people moving.
"We also know a city's public transport network always needs to evolve to keep pace with how people travel and where they want to go. Our new preliminary business cases on a New Cumberland Line and capacity upgrades on the existing network will provide a roadmap for future rail connections across the city.
"In the early 2010s, when Anthony Albanese was Infrastructure Minister, he was commissioning comprehensive studies on Sydney's second airport. Today, that airport is nearing completion with freight flights due to start next year, with passenger flights not long after.
"City building takes time, but we know that careful, detailed planning leads to excellent results."
