Despite claims of significant infrastructure investment in NSW, the State Government is refusing to reveal the real cost of the Metro Southwest project.
The 2019-20 Budget fails to provide details of the funds allocated for converting the heavy rail line from Sydenham to Bankstown into Metro.
Treasury’s reluctance to provide standalone costings for the Chatswood to Sydenham and the Sydenham to Bankstown sections strongly indicates the government’s intentions to privatise the Bankstown Line.
What the Budget also reveals is that accessibility upgrades for Bankstown Line stations are being funded under the existing Transport Access Program and not out of funds allocated for Sydney Metro.
There are significant implications of the station accessibility upgrades not funded from the Sydney Metro allocation:
· Metro is not needed for Bankstown Line stations to receive lifts and upgrades
· The government does not appear to have the necessary funds to complete the conversion of the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro and will likely rely on the privatisation of the Bankstown Line to fund the project
The Sydney Metro project has always been about benefiting private developers interested in building over and around the rail corridor.
With the majority of the Bankstown Line community expressing their opposition to the Sydney Metro Southwest in last year’s planning process, the State Government needs to respect the wishes of the people and not proceed in the expensive destruction of a functioning heavy rail line.
Sydney doesn't need Metro, it needs investment in double-deck trains and upgraded signalling for heavy rail lines. Sign the petition to save our T3 Bankstown Line trains: