Western Sydney Light Rail Network Part 2 Feasibility Report
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Unlocking Western Sydney’s Potential with Light Rail Western Sydney Light Rail Network Part 2 Feasibility Report AUGUST 2013 CONTENTS Contents 2 Foreword 3 Overview 4 Light Rail in Western Sydney 7 Greater Parramatta Section 8 Macquarie Park Line 10 Castle Hill Line 12 Regional Growth and Development 14 Precinct Urban Renewal 16 Costs and Staging 18 Next Steps 19 This report has been prepared with the support of: For more information Parramatta City Council 30 Darcy Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 T – 02 9806 5050 E – [email protected] 02 Western Sydney Light Rail Network | Part 2: Feasibility Report FOREWORD It is my pleasure to release Part 2 of the Western Sydney Light Rail Network Feasibility Report. This report follows the release of Part 1 in May 2013, which identifi ed the preferred fi rst stage of the Network comprising two lines from Parramatta; one to Castle Hill and the other to Macquarie Park. This is the start of a Light Rail Network that will grow and evolve to meet the future economic and social needs of Western Sydney, with future lines to Bankstown and Rhodes via Sydney Olympic Park already identifi ed. Part 2 of Council’s study further investigated the fi rst stage lines in terms of transport and land use. We undertook an initial engineering feasibility and identifi ed preferred alignment and stops as well as refi ned the cost. We also investigated the land use change potential to accommodate population and employment growth that could be anticipated as consequence of the Network. This document strengthens the case for the Western Sydney Light Rail network. Council is now calling on both State and Federal Governments to fund the next stage study including a detailed business case. It is a question of when this network will be built, not if. Parramatta and Western Sydney are growing and need better public transport to support the growth of the region and a future generation of Sydney-siders. Cr John Chedid Lord Mayor of Parramatta Western Sydney Light Rail Network | Part 2: Feasibility Report 03 OVERVIEW FIRST STAGE OF THE NETWORK Showground CASTLE HILL Castle Hill C A S T L E H I L L Victoria Ave R D D R B E R N M U R C E H T R Merindah Rd O N N o D r t L h O O W e s t R a i Coronation Rd BAULKHAM HILLS Y W A O T O R M 2 M Baulkham Hills A YVentura Rd O R W L M O T O D 2 M D D D R W R WINSTON HILLS I R N O D S S D O N R I R D Churchill Dr W HW D Y NORTHMEAD N A R L B E Northmead M U J C TELOPEA A M E S R North Rocks Rd U St Patricks S W T E E P O I N S I N G T R D Barney St I S S D K Cumberland Hospital R Lott Children’s Hospital Albert St Dundas R D PARRAMATTPARRA A D R T G R Westmead Riverside R R E A A T H Rydalmere E W T E S T Church St E R N A H W Y UWS W M R 4 M O ERE T O R V W A L Y I OLYM SILV P D IC P AR K CharlesCharles St S R Macquarie St LIN Y E E Tramway Ave Camellia N E I L S R N E W J O T P SYDNE S A K GRANVILLE R R N A A M A B T T A R 04 Western Sydney Light Rail Network | Part 2: Feasibility Report First Stage Network Parramatta City Council has Key undertaken the Western Macquarie Park Line Castle Hill Line Sydney Light Rail Feasibility Future Lines Study to address the Stop challenges of a growing H W Y L A N D Western Sydney region. In Part 1 of the study (see separate document), Council with the support il L in k of consultants undertook fi ve separate but integrated studies focussed on transport, land use, environmental, economic and health and social areas to design a Light Rail Network and MACQUARIE identify a preferred fi rst stage scheme. E P P PARK I N Lines to Macquarie Park and Castle G R D Macquarie Centre Hill emerged as the most feasible two EPPING alignments. Part 2 of the study, this document, MARSFIELD further investigated the two lines. EASTWOOD The central section of the fi rst stage is Marsfield Eastwood common to both lines and covered in S T detail (pages 8–9). The eastern section, DG E County Rd RUTLE Rydalmere to Macquarie Park (pages T T S W AR DENISTONE EAST 10–11) and northern section, North Brush Rd Parramatta to Castle Hill (pages 12–13) DENISTONE ie Stewart is also covered in detail. The study recommends that the Macquarie Park Line be constructed before the Castle Hill Line. The revised cost for both lines is $1.525b for V 30km including a depot and 21 light I C T T O S R rail vehicles to operate a service every I A H R C D 10 minutes on both Lines. R U H C RHODES EY OLYMPIC PARK Western Sydney Light Rail Network | Part 2: Feasibility Report 05 OVERVIEW FEASIBILITY STUDY Objectives Part 1 of Study Part 2 of Study Parramatta City Council instigated Part 1 of the study identifi ed 15 Part 2 of the study, this document, is a the $1m Western Sydney Light Rail strategic transport corridors within more detailed transport and land use Feasibility Study to gain a better 15 km of Parramatta and assessed analysis of the proposed fi rst stage of understanding of how light rail them for their potential to address the two lines. could advance the following regional challenges of the region. It includes an initial engineering priorities: A series of multi-criteria gateway assessment, potential land use change > Economic – increase economic assessments were undertaken to and urban renewal opportunities with productivity fi lter and refi ne corridors to identify potential dwelling and job numbers > Lane Use – accommodate the preferred network of four lines and refi nement of capital costs residential growth and stimulate and fi rst stage of two lines (see map including staging. below). employment growth The study demonstrates how light > Transport – provide greater Part 1 concluded that light rail rail will change the urban form along transport options to Parramatta and was feasible along the alignments an alignment and activity centre, and across the region considered and investment in light rail how it contributes to urban renewal, > Social and health – improve social will signifi cantly transform the social, particularly where underutilised disadvantage and quality of life for economic and physical function of and less accessible neighbourhoods all residents. Western Sydney. are transformed into desirable and attractive places. Proposed Western Sydney Light Rail Network Key First Stage Macquarie Park Line First Stage Castle Hill Line Future Stages 06 Western Sydney Light Rail Network | Part 2: Feasibility Report LIGHT RAIL IN WESTERN SYDNEY What is Light Rail? Role of Light Rail The terms tram and light rail are often in the region used interchangeably. The Western Sydney Light Rail Light rail in this study refers to a Network will help build a new city at system predominately operating in Parramatta; changing the structure of a segregated alignment with less Greater Sydney from a mono-centric to frequent stops and higher average a poly-centric model. speeds than local bus services. The Network also connects Parramatta A ‘tramway’ is an on-street rail system to the major economic centres of the operating in shared traffi c conditions region, and these centres to each other. and resembling a local bus service with It provides new access and opportunity frequent stops and a slower speed. to the residents, business owners, commuters and students of Western Tram is also used for an older style Sydney, helping to unlock the social of vehicle with less capacity and less and economic potential of the region. accessibility whereas light rail vehicle is used to describe its modern cousin. Western Sydney Light Rail Network | Part 2: Feasibility Report 07 GREATER PARRAMATTA WESTMEAD w PARRAMATTA w RYDALMERE Route Description Connections This section focuses on the route through Greater The Greater Parramatta Parramatta, the core of the network. The route between section of the network North Parramatta and Rydalmere is common to both lines connects: while the North Parramatta to Westmead section is part of Westmead Medical Precinct the Macquarie Park Line. including the Cumberland Hospital North Parramatta with Parramatta Stadium and Riverside Theatres From Westmead Station the light rail operates in segregated lanes in the centre Parramatta CBD, a regional city of Hawkesbury Rd. Through Cumberland Hospital the route shares the road with with signifi cant employment and limited traffi c. Church St then reallocates the road space from buses to light rail large retail services presence with segregated lanes in the centre of the road. From Riverside Theatres the light rail shares the road with limited traffi c. Harris Park local centre Camellia with access to Macquarie St has two segregated lanes for light rail. The route through Harris Rosehill Racecourse Park uses a combination of segregated lanes (road corridor widening) and lightly traffi cked roads. The line passes under James Ruse Drive where a road yover fl is Rydalmere including University constructed as part of the Western Sydney Regional Ring Road.