Sydney’s top business leaders have joined forces to call on the Federal Government to commit funding for the
Sydney Metro West – Australia’s most important public transport project. 

In a co-signed letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney, Committee for Sydney, Sydney Olympic Park Business Association and Western Sydney Business Connection are urging the Federal Government to collaborate with the NSW Government and secure the estimated $15 - $20 billion funding of the Sydney Metro West. 

In the letter, the organisations highlight the growing strain on the T1 Western Line – the main rail line between Western Sydney and the Sydney CBD – and the need to act to increase capacity along the corridor before the line reaches severe overcrowding by the end of the next decade. 

Currently, it moves around 40,000 people in the morning peak hour and is operating at 135 per cent seated capacity. Patronage has reportedly increased eleven per cent in a 12-month period and is anticipated to increase another 21 per cent over the next two years.

An extra 420,000 people will move into the corridor between Greater Parramatta and Central Sydney by 2036 and more than 300,000 jobs will be created in Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park and the Bays Precinct.

The Federal Opposition has committed $3 billion towards Sydney Metro West if elected. 

Sydney Business Chamber, Western Sydney Director David Borger said: “Sydney Metro West is the most important public transport project in the country. We must have the Federal Government take an active and financial stake in its construction if it is to be built in time to relieve the overcrowding pressure of the T1 Western Line. 

“Sydney Metro West will not only allow workers to easily access jobs in these areas but it will link the city’s two CBDs – Parramatta and Sydney. If we are serious about shifting the needle on jobs, then we must build Metro West as soon as possible,” Mr Borger said. 

Committee for Sydney Acting CEO Eamon Waterford said: “Sydney’s population is growing rapidly, and it is about time Sydney received a fair share of Commonwealth funding to reflect this growth, including for critical infrastructure projects. It is imperative that Sydney Metro West is fast-tracked to ensure the goal of a 30-minute city is realised.”

Sydney Olympic Park Business Association CEO Allison Taylor said: “Metro West will ensure Sydney Olympic Park’s standing as a super lifestyle precinct is realised, and support new homes and thousands of new jobs. It will be a vital transport link greatly improving connectivity between Sydney Olympic Park and the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs and that must be a priority for the Federal Government.”

Western Sydney Business Connection General Manager Amanda Brisot said: “Sydney Metro West will eliminate the tyranny of distance between the Parramatta and Sydney CBDs allowing these two economic centres of the city to work in synergy and attract more jobs to Western Sydney. The sooner we can get on with building Sydney Metro West with the financial support of the Federal Government the better.”

The Committee for Sydney and the Sydney Business Chamber recently released a report on the potential housing and employment uplift along the Sydney Metro West corridor. 

The report examined three scenarios based on projected travel times of 15, 20 and 25 minutes between the Parramatta and the Sydney CBDs. 

Under each scenario, there was an increase of new jobs created along the route; however, the greatest jobs uplift for Western Sydney was if the journey took less than 20 minutes.