Dear LG Focus,
I commend the Premier and his Government for setting aside $400 million in the budget for a Western Sydney Light Rail network.
It shows that this Government is very serious about breathing life into this project and they should be commended for that.
But I can’t stress enough how much we would like to meet with NSW Premier Mike Baird, Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian and local MPs including David Elliott, Geoff Lee, Dominic Perrottet and Ray Williams to show them why light rail is needed in Carlingford and why we believe it should go to Castle Hill via Old Northern Rd.
A $10 million NSW Government study will look into ten possible light rail routes, including The Hills Shire Council’s favoured routes of Parramatta to Castle Hill via Old Northern Road and Parramatta to Macquarie Park via Carlingford.
After years of broken promises, Sydney’s North West is finally seeing some action on vital transport links.
The North West Rail Link construction is well underway and we are starting to realise all the benefits that will come once the trains are running.
But we can’t ignore Carlingford any longer.
For years it has been the subject of many broken promises like the Epping to Parramatta heavy rail link.
A light rail line that doesn’t include Carlingford isn’t worth building.
There are more than 21,000 residents living in Carlingford at the moment and only one train and infrequent buses servicing them.
The population of Carlingford will rise by 46 percent by 2031, therefore action needs to be taken now.”
I favour the Parramatta to Castle Hill via Old Northern Rd route because the line could eventually be extended to Round Corner.
Round Corner is the gateway to the rural north of The Hills Shire, The Hornsby Shire and The Hawkesbury.
There is going to be population growth out there so it would make sense for Round Corner to be the entry point into a light rail network.
Once again I congratulate the Government on setting aside a significant amount of money for this project and I look forward to meeting with them to discuss our plan.
Regards,
Dr Michelle Byrne
Hills Shire Mayor
