Parramatta. Call for rail link

The NSW Opposition is calling on the state government to fund Sydney's rail link between Parramatta and Epping in next week's budget. The rail connection was a priority of the former Labor government, but has slid down the Coalition's list in favour of the North West Rail Link.

Region. Epping-Parramatta rail link

Premier Barry O’Farrell “has less firm ground to complain about the [federal government’s refusal in the budget] to divert the $2.1 billion promised for the Epping-Parramatta rail link to his pet north-western suburb line. The former at least completes a circular rail loop around the inner city. The latter, as the federal advisory body Infrastructure Australia has just pointed out, is not only massively expensive at $8.5 billion, but comes without planning for the extra traffic it will throw onto the already stretched lower north shore lines across the harbour into the city centre”, said a Sydney Morning Herald editorial.