SOUTH-WEST SYDNEY RAIL SERVICES
Page: 6055
Dr ANDREW McDONALD: My question is directed to the Premier. What is the Government doing to improve rail services for the commuters of south-west Sydney?
Mr MORRIS IEMMA: I thank the member for his question and his advocacy of better rail services for his constituents. This morning I was happy to join the member for Macquarie Fields in the latest milestone in delivering one of our most important infrastructure projects: the south-west rail link. I am pleased to update the House on a final budget approval by the Budget Committee of $1.36 billion for 13 kilometres of track, three additional railway stations, the redevelopment of Glenfield—where the member and I were this morning—1,600 car spaces—
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Interruption]
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Epping will cease interjecting. Government members will remain silent.
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Interruption]
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Willoughby will remain silent.
Mr MORRIS IEMMA: —with geotechnical construction work started. I am pleased to provide the information to the member that the design tender has been let, the construction tender will go out in July and the project is on track to be delivered in 2012. As a result of this project, not only will the residents of south-west Sydney receive a modern, more reliable, faster and more efficient rail service, they will also be able to benefit from four additional train services per hour in peak on the East Hills line and the line running through Granville.
This project runs in parallel to the East Hills to Kingsgrove quadruplication, with contracts signed and construction underway. That project will provide the residents of south-western Sydney with an even faster rail service to the city. The reason for this project is the more than 100,000 homes that will be built in the south-west of Sydney over the next two decades. This morning's milestone is an example not only of getting on with the job of delivering infrastructure but staying ahead of the gamethat is, delivering the infrastructure as new communities are built.