Budget delivers transport future and jobs for communities

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the Budget was delivering a further $8.3 billion towards Sydney Metro projects alone to connect communities and drive investment, while at the same time creating jobs and committing $114 million to transition to zero-emission buses, including power grid upgrades.

“The funding announced today will ensure Sydney maintains its place as a global city, with projects that rival the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the way they revolutionise how people travel,” Mr Elliott said.

“The investment will also deliver more transport options and thousands of jobs for flourishing communities in Western Sydney, and upgrade critical transport infrastructure ensuring commuters benefit from a 13 per cent reduction in network delays.

“We’re also investing $568 million over the next five years to deliver a new state-of-the-art Opal system, which would give commuters more choice and convenience when booking and paying for public and private transport. Upgraded Opal ticketing infrastructure and a new and improved app will help commuters seamlessly travel across NSW like never before.

“The budget also delivers a huge win for the residents of Western Sydney with $602.4 million set aside to start works and commence the detailed planning process to move ahead with the Western Sydney megaproject, including enabling works for the delivery of a new bridge crossing the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park.

“This crossing will better connect people on either side of the river, improving access to jobs, educational opportunities, and services.

“We’re also committed to ensuring NSW is not only a global leader in zero emissions technology, but also a provider of local manufacturing jobs. Transitioning the State’s fleet of buses will reduce noise on our streets, improve air quality and ensure a brighter future for New South Wales,” he said.

The NSW Budget’s $21.3 billion transport commitment includes:

• A further $2 billion injection of capital for the construction of the Sydney Metro City & Southwest project, ensuring passenger services from Chatswood to Sydenham commence in 2024, then onto Bankstown within 12 months. The additional funding takes the total project cost to $18.5 billion. The City & Southwest project was at peak construction when the pandemic hit. The unforeseen global pandemic and the level of price escalation in materials and labour are factors that are not unique to NSW.
• An $660 million commitment to modernise Sydney’s rail network ensuring more reliable services and shorter wait times. The next stage of the Digital Systems program would see older signalling systems updated with smart technology across the North Shore and Central Sydney areas.
• $602.4 million for Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail to commence works, including construction of the Wentworth Point Bridge, connecting Wentworth Point to Melrose Park.
• $568 million over the next five years to deliver Opal Next Gen, the next generation of the Opal system.
• $114 million to support the transition towards zero emissions buses including electrical grid upgrades at 12 bus depots and a rollout plan which will prioritise sustainability.
• A $77.5 million commitment to immediately start work on a business case for Stage 2 of the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project. This extension will connect Western Sydney Aerotropolis to Glenfield, via Leppington.
• $49.3 million toward the Kamay Ferry Wharf Project to reinstate wharves at La Perouse and Kurnell.
• A one-off funding program worth up to $2 million under the NSW Government’s $28 million Round Four of the Boating Now Program established to help improve local boating facilities.

Local manufacturing jobs are at the heart of the 2022-23 NSW Budget, including investigating local content for the manufacture of light rail vehicles for Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail project as well as the manufacture of zero-emission buses.