The NSW Government has announced that a project team has been established to accelerate work on the North-West rail line.

 

The 23-kilometre line will take passengers from Rouse Hill, Castle Hill and the Norwest Business Park to and from the city.

 

The North West has been identified as the location of 169,000 new homes, including 87,000 homes in greenfield areas.

 

The decision has been welcomed by property development industry group, the Urban Taskforce.

 

“The North West has an important role to play in Sydney’s future,” Urban Taskforce chief executive, Aaron Gadiel said.

 

“Sydney has been stagnating over the last eight years, partly because of a lack of public urban infrastructure investment,”  Mr Gadiel said.

 

“Since Bob Carr announced plans to build the North West rail link in 2005, Sydney has grown by 8 per cent - from 4.2 to 4.6 million people.

 

“Yet we haven’t seen sufficient public investment in Sydney’s rail and road networks.”

 

Mr Gadiel said that the North West rail line would provide an opportunity for new suburbs to access the city’s public transport system.

 

“This strong investment in rail will increase Sydney’s capacity to deliver housing in line with needs of a growing population and changing demographics,” he said.

 

Mr Gadiel said NSW Government was correct to prioritise the North-West rail line ahead of the Parramatta to Epping rail link.

 

“While both projects have a lot to offer Sydney, the North West rail link clearly has a greater role to play in easing Sydney’s sense of congestion.

 

“We urge the Federal Government to join with the state government to help Sydney get this important piece infrastructure as soon as possible.”