Parramatta council this week nominated the city’s central business district as its preferred location for a “superstation” which acts as a crucial link to the federal government’s proposed Newcastle to Sydney high-speed rail service.
“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine Sydney’s transport network and create a new superstation for both Metro and high-speed rail that is genuinely central to Greater Sydney’s growing population – and a short stroll to heavy rail, a developing light rail network and a major bus interchange,” City of Parramatta Mayor Martin Zaiter said.
Council has long pushed for Sydney’s second city – population almost 270,000 – to become one of the largest rail hubs in Australia.
With that vision in mind, council is calling on the state government to identify and protect land within Parramatta’s CBD. “We need to take steps now to identify and protect a footprint for this underground station which we see as the new Grand Central that future Sydney needs,” Zaiter said.
“Bold visions need bold planning to make them a reality,” he added. “That’s why we are calling on the NSW government to preserve the land and rail corridors needed to futureproof our ability to create one of the largest rail hubs in Australia.”
The Australian government is planning for a future high-speed rail network to connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities across the east coast of Australia.
Newcastle to Sydney – already the busiest rail network in Australia – is the project’s first phase. A new dedicated high-speed railway between the two cities will reduce travel time significantly – from around two hours and 30 minutes to about one hour.
The federal government has committed $500 million for the planning and corridor protection of the Newcastle to Sydney section and established the High Speed Rail Authority to conduct the work.
Geotechnical exploration – which involves about 27 boreholes in key areas between Newcastle and Sydney – has already begun to help determine rail tunnel depths, and to recognise the geological complexities of traversing the escarpment.
A business case for the Newcastle to Sydney high-speed rail link is expected to be presented by Parramatta council to the federal government within days.
“We have been fighting hard to position Parramatta as a critical component of stage one of a national high-speed rail network and – if our bid succeeds – we need to ensure our station is locked in no matter what,” Zaiter said.
“That’s why if we secure a Parramatta station in stage one, we want the federal government to preserve the station and corridor and enshrine the route in legislation and ensure we are planning for this once-in-a-generation infrastructure project with certainty.”
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