Region. Rail link funds

The Budget includes funding of $314 million to develop the 23-kilometre North West Rail Link between Epping and Rouse Hill ($222 million will be used to purchase land along the route) and $292 million to continue construction of the South West Rail Link, which includes 11.4 kilometres of twin track between Glenfield and Leppington.

Region. Rail links not a priority

Infrastructure Australia's (IA) annual report said it was disappointing more projects had not advanced further on its pipeline of priority projects, which guides private and government investment. Sydney's northwest and southwest rail links are not on the current priority list, although IA is likely to consider the projects for next year's report. A spokesman for Premier Barry O'Farrell said these projects should be at the top of the list for commonwealth funding. "These are the areas which need rail services more than anywhere else in Australia and the commonwealth needs to recognise this. The people of NSW made it clear at the March election that they want these lines built and the federal government needs to listen" the spokesman said

Region. Push on with rail links

The NSW government would build the north west and south west rail links regardless of the Commonwealth’s stance and would “fight for a fair share of federal funding” to ensure they were built quickly. NSW Transport will hold a high-level “market sounding” briefing for industry, on July 28, on the delivery strategy, procurement and construction of the North West Rail Link.