While only a handful of projects in Western Sydney were recommended to be undertaken over the next 20 years in Infrastructure NSW’s (INSW) “First Things First” strategy, the region will benefit from the headline-grabbing $10 billion WestConnex motorway.
That “west” is included in the name of the project is significant.
The WestConnex reflects the connectivity it would provide between Greater Sydney – particularly Western Sydney – and Global Sydney’s primary economic centres and international gateways, according to the strategy.
While the document favours big-ticket projects in Sydney CBD and the inner suburbs, the 33-kilometre motorway, running from Parramatta, through central Sydney to the international gateways of Sydney Airport and Port Botany, and to an upgraded M5 East, will benefit prospects in the west
The benefits of the motorway – the centrepiece of the strategy – to Western Sydney are that it will boost the region’s economic and employment prospects, more fully integrate the two haves of the metropolitan economy and change the mindset of those who regard Parramatta and Western Sydney as being as not part of “real Sydney”.
A parra-digm shift, if you will.
The strategy identified the most pressing investment needs occurred on the M4 and M5 corridors because of their importance to the freight and business transport task connecting Global Sydney (the Sydney CBD and inner suburbs) and the international gateways with the industries and residential areas in the west and south west
Nick Greiner, INSW chairman, said the M5 was the most important corridor, linking these gateways – Port Botany Sydney Airport – and the proposed Moorebank Intermodal Terminal, near Liverpool.
The federal-government owned terminal – and possibly a smaller and privately operated facility adjacent – and a proposed terminal at Eastern Creek, will boost further the appeal of the M7/Sydney’s south-west for the location of warehouses and logistic services, and employment.
As an example, almost 43 per cent ($125 million) of all industrial building activity approved in 2009-10, in Western Sydney, was located in the Liverpool local government area (LGA), with 94 per cent ($118 million) in warehouse construction, way ahead of any other LGA.
Paul Broad INSW CEO, said WestConnex would secure “the efficient flow of goods from Port Botany and Sydney Airport to the logistics hub in Western Sydney, and to NSW regional areas.
Should Badgerys Creek become Sydney’s second airport, as recommended in the strategy, the south-west and west will be the main beneficiaries in terms of jobs and industry and boost to the gross regional output (GRP).
“To condemn Sydney … to have one airport which is constrained by regulations and other things, I think is not the right decision for future generations,” said INSW chairman, Nick Greiner.
Whatever the outcome of that issue, Liverpool will become the hub of an expanding transport and logistics sector, and a high-tech manufacturing industry.
According to the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Council’s (WSROC) Future Directions discussion paper, Liverpool is strongly linked to the manufacturing and industrial activity in the region, being both a logistics hub and a gateway to Sydney’s south-west.
The implication of this is that Liverpool will boost its status as regional city for the south-west and attain its full potential for economic and population growth.
The strategy recommended that the F3-M2 link should be the next priority following the completion of the M4 and M5 upgrades as the link meet s a strategic need ni completing a motorway grade by pass of Sydney.
“This is important to freight traffic and for wider connectivity with NSW and along the eastern seaboard,” the strategy said.
Turning to Parramatta, the strategy notes that within Greater Sydney, the largest economic and employment cluster occurs around the city, the sixth largest business district in Australia.
And one that will continue to act as a major regional business and service centre with strong connections to Global Sydney.
“It is outrageous a global city like Sydney does not have a full motorway connection between its CBD and its next most important centre, Parramatta; WestConnex is the critical missing link that fixes that,” said Paul Broad.
Within the Parramatta area, the strategy recommends a detailed assessment of Parramatta City Council’s “ring road” concept.
One of its benefits would be to improve access between ther Parramatta CBD and the Camellia and Rosehill employment and industrial lands., which currently have poor access to the CBD.
Regarding the controversial Parramatta-Epping rail link the strategy recommend the development of option for a rapid T-2way option between Parramatta and Epping and /or Macquarie Park.
Thr strategy also recommended that an express train service operate between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD across the day, with a “turn-up-an-go frequency level.
Stephen Albin, CEO, Urban Development Institute of Australia, believes WestConnex will lead to greater decentralisation of jobs outside the Sydney CBD.
Decentralisation of jobs whether to Parramatta, Penrith, Liverpool and business parks will enable residents to work closer to home, thus reducing travelling time and providing significant lifestyle benefits.
Decentralisation of employment, particularly “new economy” jobs, to Parramatta, Penrith, Liverpool and business parks will enable residents who wearily commute to the Sydney CBD to work closer to home, thus reducing travelling time and providing significant lifestyle benefits.
WestConnex and other projects recommended in Western Sydney (see box) will improve the region’s economic, environmental and social prospects and grow the region’s value.
At the last count (2010-2011), the GRP of Western Sydney- the third largest economy in Australia – was 32 per cent ($95.6 billion) of the capital’s $296.8 billion.
The NSW government is expected to comment on the strategy by the end of the year.
Strategy recommendations
WESTERN Sydney projects recommend in INSW’s strategy report included:
1. Identify and preserve corridor for Outer Western Sydney orbital.
2. Incremental bus propriety measures for Parramatta and strategic corridors.
3. Turn-up-an-go express train services between Sydney CBD and Parramatta.
4. Moorebank Intermodal terminal development.
5. Preserve rail corridor for Western Sydney Freight Line and site for Eastern Creek Intermodal Terminal.
6. Develop Western Sydney Regional Airport.
7. Assess passengers options for Richmond RAAF Base.
8. Identify Bells Line of Road/Castlereagh corridor.
9. Hawkesbury Nepean floodplain, implement mitigation measures.
10. Raising the Warragamba Dam by 23 metres.
11. Identify strategy to improve asset utilisation at Sydney Olympic Park.
12. Construct M2-F3 link.
