Trams gain traction in eastern suburbs

Randwick Junction could return to being a real ‘junction’ after Randwick City Council announced it has set aside $100,000 towards a pre-feasibility study on the return of tram links to Sydney’s east.

The pre-feasibility study will look at costs and options for bringing light rail to streets of the Eastern Suburbs. This will take place before the State Government initiates its feasibility study into extending the light rail network to various locations around Sydney’s CBD.

“It’s not just pork on our behalf,” said Mayor of Randwick Murray Matson. “We see this as the best opportunity we’ve had in decades.

Randwick Racecourse and Moore Park sports grounds attract huge crowds during sporting events and standstill traffic is a common sight at these times.

“Up to 80,000 people drive to events at the Moore Park sport grounds and Randwick Racecourse on the weekend, shutting down parts of the city for hours at a time,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

In a bid to combat this issue, Ms Moore will sign a memorandum of understanding with Mayor Matson which states both councils will work together to ease the frequent gridlock.

“A light rail to the eastern suburbs would relieve the pressure, and help staff and students get to the hospitals, and students to UNSW,” Ms Moore said.

Mr Matson said the memorandum between the two councils will be signed in coming weeks.

“We see the City of Sydney as the ace up our sleeves,” he said.

Mr Matson said Australian Turf Club at Randwick Racecourse and University of New South Wales (UNSW) have already signed memorandums of understanding in relation to the light rail plans.

A number of options would be looked at for tram stops in Randwick council’s pre-feasibility study but Mr Matson said he would

especially want one on the corner of High Street and Anzac Parade.

It would allow for a loop around Randwick and options to extend trams all the way south to Maroubra Junction, he said.

By Simon Anderson