Liverpool Mayor, Ned Mannoun, has welcomed the announcement today by the NSW Government that it will complete the long-awaited metro link to Bankstown.
“This is great news for Sydney’s south-west and a long overdue announcement,” said Mayor Mannoun.
“This gives certainty to the people of Sydney’s south-west that they are getting the public transport services they need and deserve.”
NSW Premier, Chris Minns said the Government’s decision to complete the project comes after a responsible and careful decision-making process, informed by the recommendations made in the interim report of the Sydney Metro Independent Review.
He said the Government will commit up to a further $1.1 billion from existing transport budgets, including Sydney Metro, to deliver the project and begin the “difficult process of converting the existing T3 Line – which is more than a century old – into a 21st century high-tech metro line”.
It’s estimated the conversion will take up to 12 months and is anticipated to commence between July and October 2024.
“Currently, some stations on the Bankstown Line receive four trains an hour in the peak. When this section of the metro is completed, they will receive a train every four minutes. That’s a massive increase in services,” said NSW Transport Minister, Jo Haylen.
“And while the conversion won’t be easy, we’ve come up with a solution that will get it done in up to 12 months instead of the original timeline of 15 to 18 months.
“Because we’ve taken the time to plan this section of the project properly, we’ll be able to deliver metro services quicker, and ease the pain caused by converting the line.
“There is a lot of work still to do, but our commitment to the full City and Southwest project scope is an important first step.
Mayor Mannoun says the State Government also needs to provide a shuttle train service from Bankstown to Liverpool to cater for the area’s growing population.
“With Liverpool being Sydney’s third CBD, it is vital this additional measure is provided as soon as the metro is completed,” he said.
“On behalf of Council I strongly urge the NSW government to continue the planning to extend the metro from Bankstown to Liverpool.”
