Metro West fate uncertain with costs expected to exceed government’s budget

By JUSTIN COOPER

The NSW government has not clarified whether the Metro West project will proceed as the Premier says it will “destroy the budget”, leaving many frustrated in potentially breaking a pre-election promise.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Premier Chris Minns was questioned on the Metro West construction following the interim report into the project that was provided to the state government.

Whilst the interim report has not been publicly released, Minns explained that the line would total to $27 billion. Exceeding the initial budget by over $17 billion, he says the plan would be a “massive opportunity cost.”

“Now $17bn, to put it in context, is the equivalent of 20 brand new hospitals… It’s the equivalent of 200 brand new schools in NSW. It’s the same amount of money that you’d spend on 8,500 brand new hospital beds,” Minns explained.

“The bottom line is we have to work out a way to pay for Metro West that doesn’t destroy the budget, because that’s what we’ve been left with by the previous government.”

The Minns Government is currently awaiting the final report from the Metro West Review in order to determine whether the project will fit into the state’s 2023-2024 budget.

“If we make a decision to axe the project, then you could take my head off then. But in the meantime, let’s let this review do its job and report back to government,” says Minns.

The Minns Government made a pre-election promise to continue with the metro line, which started construction in 2020 under the previous Perrottet government.

The underground line would connect Greater Parramatta and Sydney CBD with 7 planned stops in between, providing up to 80,000 jobs throughout construction and resulting in a significant connection between the two major cities.

“Western Sydney won’t forgive him”

With the uncertainty of the project’s future, multiple ministers and councillors called upon the government to remain to their election commitment and expressing the needed for further transport connections between the Western suburbs and the CBD.

Greens MP and spokesperson for transport and Western Sydney, Cate Faehrmann, expressed their disappointment in the plans being potentially scappred, especially since construction has already begun.

“This is a massive broken promise by Chris Minns and Western Sydney won’t forgive him if he goes ahead and cancels the Metro West,” says Faehrmann.

“It’s incomprehensible that the Government would choose not to complete a major transport project that is already underway, which has cost taxpayers $8 billion so far, and forced people and businesses to be uprooted through compulsory acquisition.”

Faerhman continued to call the project “a key piece of transport infrastructure” which would be a catalyst in providing more housing opportunities within Western Sydney around the Metro stations.

Noting the “secrecy” surrounding roads and public transport infrastructure, Faerhman says “on top of what has already been spent, the public deserve to have a say about whether this should go ahead or not.”

Opposition leader, Mark Speakman, also critiqued the NSW Government confusion around the plans and exceeding costs on social media.

Labor and @ChrisMinnsMP went to the election knowing the cost of West Metro and promising to build it.
From as far back as at least October 2021, @johaylen was referring to a cost of $27 billion.#NoExcusesForBrokenPromiseshttps://t.co/GTBWEDyy6G

— Mark Speakman (@MarkSpeakman) July 26, 2023

Speakman recalled previous comments made from Transport Minister, Jo Haylen, back in 2021 who quoted the $27 billion total towards the project – before it became a pre-election promise from the Labor Government.

An important transport connection

The City Of Sydney Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, also posted to social media regarding the need for the “significant investment” into Metro West.

Even as costs increase, the NSW Government must not walk away from Metro West – it’s too important to drop.

Our city needs continued, significant investment in public transport infrastructure.

This is a long – but important – thread. pic.twitter.com/XgdhJCjXRj

— Clover Moore AO (@CloverMoore) July 26, 2023

Detailing the number of people expected to use the metro line of 40,000 people per hour, Moore says the line will be a “transformative” infrastructure line reducing travel times between Parramatta and the CBD to 20 minutes.

“On global rankings, Sydney has long been held back by poor state investment in public transport infrastructure,” says Moore.

“The indirect impacts need to be considered too – delaying or scrapping Metro West will limit the proposed and much-needed additional housing along the rail corridor.”

“The Government can’t simply build expensive toll roads and expect our growing population to drive and pay high costs for the privilege – it’s bad for the environment and it’s bad for commuters,” continued Moore.

The Metro West which was expected to open around 2030 but was announced by Minns last week that there would be delays if construction continues.

The state government is currently awaiting the final report as part of the Metro West Review before determining the metro line’s future.

NB: This article was originally posted on Saturday 29 July as City Hub switched to a new website.