Article Extract from Joanne Vella from The Daily Telegraph/Parramatta Advertiser
Fears are growing the second stage of the Parramatta light rail will go on the back burner as western Sydney leaders seek a way to serve the booming population.
A new push to ensure the future of the Parramatta light rail’s stage two will include advocating to extend the proposed line from Carter Street to Lidcombe station to serve the soaring population.
Cumberland Council — which is preparing to make a submission for the light rail’s stage two environmental impact statement — has pitched two options: a line to run from Sydney Olympic Park to Lidcombe via John St or from Sydney Olympic Park to Lidcombe via Birnie Ave.
The line is proposed to run from Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park.
The population boom forecast for the Carter Street precinct, which will house 6200 homes near Lidcombe, is driving the extension request.
“This link will ensure there is a strong southern anchor for light rail with mixed land uses and transport hubs, and will provide further travel options for residents, workers and visitors in the Lidcombe area,’’ Cumberland Council general manager Peter Fitzgerald said in a report.
EcoTransit Sydney’s public transport advocate Roydon Ng said the light rail ending at Carter Street would be a wasted opportunity for a corridor to link with Lidcombe and Strathfield.
“Carter Street and the surrounding precinct should be designed to enable a future extension of light rail services, whether it be to Lidcombe, Strathfield or both,’’ he said.
He said public transport advocacy group EcoTransit Sydney supported the light rail extension to Lidcombe but its priority was improving transit through the establishment of the Pippita CityExpress.
Mr Ng said the express line, using the T7 Olympic Park line and Pippita rail trail on the former abattoir line, could provide a 19-minute express train from Lidcombe to Central via Flemington Junction and Strathfield.
The council deferred discussing the submission until its December 21 meeting.
Read the full article at The Daily Telegraph/Parramatta Advertiser