The Western Sydney Business Chamber is calling on the NSW Government to end the uncertainty and allocate funding in the NSW Budget to get the next stage of the Parramatta Light Rail shovel ready.
The recommendation for the NSW Government to construct Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is included in Business NSW's pre-budget submission.
"The NSW Government committed to building a Parramatta Light Rail network and that means we need to see the funding for Stage 2 put on the table to get the project shovel ready," said David Borger, Executive Director of the Western Sydney Business Chamber.
"We understand that Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 is awaiting an 'investment decision' by the NSW Cabinet. My message to Government Ministers is give the project the green light and let's get on with connecting Sydney's central city with its surrounding suburbs."
Mr Borger said Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 was a vital mass transit connection that would link the booming communities of Wentworth Point and Melrose Park with the future Sydney Metro West and allow the regeneration of old public housing stock in Ermington and Rydalmere.
"Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 ticks so many boxes when it comes to a good public transport project and it builds on the taxpayer investment in Stage 1," said Mr Borger.
"The true value of light rail is when it is a network. We don't want to see Stage 1 put at risk of being a 'white elephant' because the NSW Government has shelved the next stages.
"The NSW Government may very well be needing some economic stimulus projects towards the end of the year. Getting Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 shovel ready would be a common sense decision."
