Up to 108,000 new jobs could be created as a result of building a light rail route from Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park and beyond to Rhodes and Strathfield.
These are set to be significant and sustainable ‘smart jobs of the future’ and attract global investment to the region.
These are some of the keys findings in a new report by Deloitte, commissioned and launched by the WestLine Partnership, a consortium of Western Sydney business and government leaders.
The Deloitte report, Restarting Sydney’s Heart: An Examination of a Proposed Light Rail through the Olympic Corridor, was written in consultation with respected urban designer, Roderick Simpson, to report on the opportunities and issues that exist if a light rail route is built along the Olympic Corridor.
Other key findings include the capacity to move 5000 passengers per hour in both directions through the Corridor - the equivalent of 40 light rail services in place of 200 buses. It has the potential to halve the current travel time between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park.
The route is one of four the NSW Government is considering for future light rail connections. The report proposes a voluntary contribution model for private sector funding to construct a light rail line to Sydney Olympic Park.
This involves land owners who elect to take up density uplift incentives along the light rail route putting up money for the project.
The report concludes that construction of a light rail line through the Olympic Corridor presents a unique opportunity for the government and private sector to work collaboratively to deliver infrastructure, jobs and homes for Western Sydney and NSW.
It strongly encourages the Government to consider this model and engage relevant land owners to negotiate a contribution funding deal that can bring the vision of the Olympic Corridor to life.
The Light Rail is the latest in a string of exciting news related to Western Sydney and its growth potential as the new (or newly recognised) centre of Sydney. Just think of the Powerhouse Museum making the move and the development of the Badgery’s Creek airport!
I have to say that I welcome these changes which recognise the importance of Western Sydney to the ongoing prosperity of our state.
I am certainly looking forward to a better transport system through this important part of our more westerly suburbs, as well as an equivalent lessening of the choking traffic on Parramatta Road.
