NSW Govt to deliver the Sydenham to Bankstown section of Sydney Metro

Following a responsible and careful decision-making process, the New South Wales Government has announced that it will build the final section of the Sydney Metro City and Southwest from Sydenham to Bankstown. 

This decision was informed by the recommendation made in the interim report of the Sydney Metro Independent Review. Independent reviewers Amanda Yeates and Mike Mrdak delivered their interim findings that focus mainly on the City and Southwest project due to its critical stage of delivery. 

“We welcome the expertise of the independent reviewers and the time and care taken to understand the complexity of the Sydney Metro program. 

“This is an important reset of the project. While we understand the disruption will be difficult for passengers and the community, significant work has been done to minimise the level of disruption while we deliver this transformational new service. 

“We are laser focused on opening the City section between Chatswood and Sydenham next year and look forward to welcoming passengers on board,” Sydney Metro Chief Executive Peter Regan said. 

The interim review findings include: 

• The conversion of the T3 Bankstown Line to metro standards should continue as it delivers significant benefits across the transport network 
• The final conversion of the T3 Bankstown Lone is likey to require a shutdown of up to 12 months, with target commencement of between July and October 2024 
• Sydney Metro and Transport for NSW will develop a comprehensive temporary transport plan to support the shutdown, which includes extensive communication with the affected communities along the line 
• The delivery of the City and Southwest project is likely to require an increase to the funding envelope of up to approximately $1.1 billion, but that the agency should not pursue “acceleration at all costs” 

The State Government is going to commit $1.1 billion towards this project and this investment will come from existing transport budgets, including Sydney Metro. 

Further considerations for the next phase of the review will include the analysis of forecast final costs for all projects, an assessment of the impacts of the current Australian infrastructure market and capacity, and priorities for future extensions. 

The next phase of the review will include assessing the value for money of the existing Sydney Metro West scope. 

“Currently, some stations on the Bankstown Line receive 4 trains an hour in the peak. When this section of the metro is completed, they will receive a train every 4 minutes. That’s a massive increase in services. 

“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 step,” Transport Minister Jo Haylen said. 

The State Government’s decision to salvage Sydney Metro City and Southwest means that residents in South West Sydney will receive the essential services as well as increases service frequency the need and deserve. 

The Minns Labor Government is committed to being transparent with the public about the risks to the proposed project timeframes, taking into consideration the unique and significant challenge involved in converging a century-old railway to modern metro standard. 

A comprehensive temporary transport plan that will service passengers along the line during the shutdown – as advised through the review – is now under development and it will not only include a plan to replace rail with buses, but it will also include dedicated, frequent bus routes including express services. 

In addition, Transport for NSW is looking at ways of using the T3 Line from Bankstown to Lidcombe to convey passengers to the CBD. 

Sydney Metro City and Southwest is being built in two sections – from Chatswood to Sydenham and from Sydenham to Bankstown – with the Sydenham to Chatswood section on track to open in mid-2024, providing more frequent train services while also reducing existing pressure on the City Circle. 

“Today our government is announcing that we will proceed with the Sydenham to Bankstown conversion. 

“We’re also announcing that the Sydenham to Chatswood section of the metro is on track to open in 2024. 

“That means more than just a train every 4 minutes. It takes a massive amount of pressure off the city circle so we can run more train services on other train lines,” Premier Chris Minns said. 

The Sydenham to Bankstown section of the City and Southwest Metro project will deliver a stand-alone rail line with 11 upgraded and converted stations to metro standards. 

This project will include: 

• Air-conditioned metro trains and increased train frequency in AM and PM peak services – a train at least every four minutes at each station, improved CCTV surveillance, platform screen doors, platform level with train floors, minimal gaps between platforms and trains 
• Improved station interchange facilities at key stations 
• All trains stopping at all local stations – no waiting for the right train 
• Safe and efficient connections during the peak and non-peak periods between key centres along the T3 Bankstown Line 
• New, direct and fast services to Marton Place, Barangaroo, North Sydney, Chatswood and Macquarie Park 
• Interchanges to other rail services at Sydenham, Central and Martin Place 
• No need for a timetable – you’ll just turn up and go 
• More job opportunities with faster, more frequent and direct access to key employment centres, including North Sydney, Chatswood, Macquarie Park and the north west 
• Better access to education, with fast, more frequent and direct connections 
• All stations fully accessible, with lifts and level access between trains and platforms 
• Fast, safe and reliable – a new generation of 21st century metro trains 

Sydney Metro is aiming to provide fast, reliable turn-up-and-go train services from Sydenham to Bankstown in late 2025 following the conversion period, including necessary testing. 

Source: NSW Government – Media Releases; Sydney Metro (1, 2)