Sydney Metro West Plan Moves Ahead

Sydney's long-promised Metro West project has received two major planning approvals.

NSW planning minister Rob Stokes this month granted approval for the project at concept level, from Westmead to the Sydney CBD, and the project's first stage, which includes station excavation and tunnelling between Westmead and The Bays.

The project's concept approval does not allow for construction or operation.

The planning approval process for Sydney Metro West is being done in stages due to the project’s size, and has been deemed a state significant infrastructure application.

Sydney Metro West compulsory land acquisitions

Sydney Metro notes that stage one would have “social and economic impacts” including property acquisitions required, in this month's state significant Infrastructure Assessment documents.

“However, acquisition of property has been minimised by locating the majority of the project underground, and acquisition would be undertaken in accordance with relevant land acquisition policy and with support services for affected parties,” it notes.

In December last year, the NSW government announced that a metro station would be constructed at Pyrmont.

The metro station location is under investigation and is subject to a separate assessment and approval.

Sydney Metro is still expected to lodge future applications for the construction and operation of the project, with the first of three tunnelling contracts expected to be awarded mid-year.

When complete, Sydney Metro West will service Westmead, Greater Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, The Bays Precinct and the Sydney CBD.

Key components include approximately 24km of twin tunnels between Westmead and Sydney CBD, along with the new metro stations confirmed at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays and Sydney CBD.

Stokes says the project is expected to create about 10,000 direct and 70,000 indirect jobs during construction.

Sydney Metro West was declared a state significant infrastructure project in September 2020.

The project is touted to provide a fast and frequent connection between Parramatta and Sydney CBD, and aims to run a metro train every two minutes in each direction.