Project Overview June 2012

1800 019 989 northwestrail.com.au Project Overview

snapshot Delivered as part of ’s Rail Future. Planning well advanced. Construction starts later this year. Tunnelling begins in 2014. Multi-billion dollar tender process underway. $3.3 billion in State Budget over the next four years.

Contents Draft TfNSW Minister’s foreword 3 MASTER Project map 4 PLAN New rail and improved customer service 5 The North West Rail Link 6 Why single deck trains? 7 Strategic context 8 SYDNEY’S RAIL FUTURE Core project activities 10 Construction map 11 Latest project news 12 NORTH WEST RAIL LINK Sydney’s Rail Future 14 Understanding the challenges 15 The customer experience 17 Stations meeting customer needs 18 Single Fast, deck A train Turn up reliable trains every five and go rail minutes

FRONT COVER: Artist’s impression: North West Rail Link Skytrain at Rouse Hill 2 Project Overview snapshot

Minister’s foreword

The North West Rail Link is a key compared with current unpredictable Of course, the North West Rail Link infrastructure project for the NSW peak hour road trips. cannot be developed in isolation to Government. the rest of the rail system. While delivering public transport The Government has made a clear choice and flexibility to the north It is for this reason that the North commitment to get on with the task west, the Government has been West Rail Link – the newest part of of building this massive project, and working on its Fixing the Trains the system – will be at the forefront of to have tunnel boring machines in initiative which is designed to improve change designed to improve the entire the ground by 2014. The project will rail services across the network. rail network. The North West Rail Link deliver benefits to the north west of will be the first line in Sydney to enjoy The Government has also been Sydney and the broader metropolitan a new generation of rail travel – in fast, developing a draft long term area for generations to come. safe, efficient single deck trains. Transport Master Plan to identify Today, many people in north west priorities for the next 20 years. This Project Overview explains how Sydney rely on buses to meet their the North West Rail Link will integrate One major outcome of this work is public transport needs – or they have with the long term transformation Sydney’s Rail Future – a long term rail to use cars to get to work, study or of the network and deliver better plan that will transform the way our services. Modern, reliable and safe outcomes for our customers across trains operate and the services they rail will provide commuters with north west Sydney. provide our customers. faster and more convenient journeys Gladys Berejiklian MP MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT

3 Project Overview Project map

W in d so r R o Mount Kuring-gai Vineyard ad

Mount Colah

Riverstone DURAL Cudgegong Asquith Road NORTH WEST Rouse HillRouse Hill GROWTH CENTRE

d Hornsby R rn Legend e Waitara

Schofields h

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KellyvilleKellyville

d Project l

O Wahroonga New railway stations Normanhurst STANHOPE GARDENS Hills Centre Warrawee Existing railway stations Cherrybrook Commuter car Thornleigh Turramurra Bella VistaBella Vista parking facilities Rd Castle HillCastle Hill t Hills Castle Hill Rd an n Pennant Hills Facilities at all new NWRL stations n FRENCHS NorwestNorwest e P Pymble FOREST M7 Bus interchange Marayong Beecroft Taxi WEST PENNANT Gordon HILLS Cheltenham Cycle LALOR M2 PARK M2 Killara O

l CHATSWOOD d Kiss and ride Macquarie W

i Seven n M2 EppingEpping d University Easy access Hills s Lindfield o

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R o WINSTON a Other d HILLS Carlingford North Roseville Existing railway Macquarie Ryde NORTHMEAD Eastwood Park Chatswood Strategic road network Telopea Interchange Road network Denistone M4 Pendle Hill Dundas Rail systems on existing Bus T-ways West Ryde Artarmon Epping to Chatswood Wentworthville Rydalmere Westmead Rail Link to be upgraded Meadowbank Camellia St 0km 5km Leonards Harris Park Rosehill Note: This diagram is indicative only Rhodes Wollstonecraft

4 Project Overview New rail and improved customer service

Sydney’s Rail Future is the Until construction of a second blueprint for improving rail across harbour crossing, the new line will Sydney over the next 20 years ... initially operate as a high frequency SYDNEY’S capacity increases, while at the same a customer focused transport plan service between Rouse Hill and time better meeting the needs of our to modernise our rail system. Chatswood. RAIL FUTURE customers with faster journey times and services that are more regular, It includes the introduction of Customers will simply cross the Transport for NSW has carefully more reliable and tailored to different new style rapid transit and will platform at Chatswood and wait a assessed how to deliver the North journey types. deliver more trains and more few minutes for the next train to West Rail Link in the context of Clearly, the key employment centre of choice for customers. St Leonards, North Sydney, the CBD Sydney’s broader rail network, the Sydney CBD lends itself to a rapid and beyond. identifying how this new project can Developed as a core component transit service. provide the best possible service to of the Long Term Transport Master Planning work will start immediately meet the needs of the future. Plan, it will create the largest on a second harbour crossing. In addition, Sydney’s global economic corridor contains many of Sydney’s increase in capacity to the Sydney The second harbour crossing will The previous reference scheme employment and education centres rail network for 80 years. extend the new rapid transit system developed for the project outlined and is now extending further to the through to the city, eventually proposals to extend the existing rail The North West Rail Link is part north west, with Rouse Hill emerging linking up with lines to the south network with the same style of double of Sydney’s Rail Future and will be as the next major centre. It is a key that will be converted to single deck trains currently experienced across built as the first of Sydney’s new area for transit work trips, with many deck operation (including the the rest of Sydney. rapid transit services. Bankstown and the Illawarra lines). people embarking and disembarking However, through the development of The existing 13 kilometre Epping at the various destinations along the the Transport Master Plan, Sydney’s to Chatswood Rail Link will be corridor. Rail Future has emerged as the incorporated into the North These trips also lend themselves to preferred approach to meet customer West Rail Link, and the entire 36 a turn up and go, fast and frequent and capacity needs. kilometre line between Cudgegong stopping service. Road, Rouse Hill and Chatswood The long term planning associated with For these reasons, the North West will feature new single deck trains. Sydney’s Rail Future has taken a whole- Rail Link has been identified for the of-network approach, in the context This will require upgrading of first new single deck services which of where the anticipated growth in signalling and train operating will be introduced across key parts population and employment will be. systems between Epping and of the network in the next decade Chatswood to integrate with the It has analysed the forecast future and beyond. North West Rail Link. demand across the network to identify areas requiring significant

5 Project Overview

The North West Rail Link

New high frequency single deck Railway systems on the existing line Bus, pedestrian, car, cycling and KEY FEATURES train service from Cudgegong Road between Epping and Chatswood accessible facilities at all stations. through to Chatswood – 12 trains will be upgraded to create an 15 kilometres of new tunnels. Key features of the North West Rail per hour in the peak. integrated line with the North Link are: West Rail Link. Smaller diameter tunnels will be Convenient “cross platform” excavated for single deck trains. The North West Rail Link will be the interchange at Chatswood. Major bus interchange facilities 4 kilometres of Skytrain between first line in Sydney to feature new at Rouse Hill and Castle Hill. In the future, north west trains will Bella Vista and Rouse Hill. single deck trains. use the second harbour crossing to 4,000 car parking spaces spread access the city and beyond. across five stations.

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Why single deck trains?

Sydney’s Rail Future is driven by the and disembarking at the various single deck trains and can allow more the important effect of further recognition that current suburban destinations along the corridor. trains per hour to travel on the line. extending the reach of the global and intercity services of double deck economic corridor further into the Single deck trains have the The new service will also consolidate trains, while suitable for particular north west. advantage of being able to load and centres at Castle Hill, Norwest lines on the network, cannot meet unload quickly at stations, allowing Business Park and the emerging the needs of all customers and all more trains per hour on any given centre of Rouse Hill and it will have journeys. line. This is a particular advantage The long term planning process has on lines of high demand which investigated the needs of customers. include multiple major employment destinations. For example, many passengers make the daily commuter trip to Because of its strong connection to SINGLE DECK TRAINS: Parramatta and the CBD from the the global economic corridor, the FIRST IN THE NORTH WEST west and south west. These longer North West Rail Link will be built as journeys are suitable for regular the first of these single deck services North West Rail Link leads change for Sydney’s trains. express services on double deck under the new rapid transit system. trains. Other people have shorter Reliable, safe, frequent. The creation of this system will journey times where fast and More trains for the north west – more choice. provide a vital link to key destination frequent services are an incentive to points through Sydney’s major Just turn up and go … new rail far more reliable than buses travelling by rail. employment centres at Macquarie in the peak hours. Sydney’s global economic corridor Park and Chatswood, with a seamless Safety – clear view inside and outside the carriages. contains many of Sydney’s interchange at Chatswood on to St employment and education centres Leonards, North Sydney, the CBD and New single deck trains – three wide doors per car – easy to get on and off. and is now extending further to the beyond. New trains can carry about 50 per cent more people than double deck north west with Rouse Hill emerging There will be significant loading and trains in an hour. as the next major centre. unloading of passengers at all of More trains between Epping and Chatswood. It is a key area for transit work these destinations which can happen trips, with many people embarking much more efficiently and quickly on

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Strategic context

The majority of the population and employment growth in Sydney’s north Richmond Windsor Berowra west is focused near the existing Hills Mulgrave District and the planned North West Growth Centre. Vineyard Mount Kuring-gai

There is a growing demand, and increasing Mount Colah Riverstone Rouse Hill demand, for rail travel from these areas Dural Asquith Mona Vale to the global economic corridor and the Terrey Hills Schofields Hornsby Sydney central business district. However, there is currently no direct rail access from Norwest Castle Hill St Ives large parts of Sydney’s north west to the Quakers Hill Pennant Hills Frenchs Forest global economic corridor and the city, and Dee Why Gordon there is limited capacity in the regional bus St Marys Brookvale Kingswood Blacktown system to cater for the growth in demand. Epping Macquarie Park Seven Hills Carlingford The North West Rail Link will provide the Arndell Park Toongabbie Eastwood Manly North Ryde Chatswood people of north west Sydney with direct Pendle Hill Eastern Creek Westmead rail access to centres such as Macquarie Rydalmere Parramatta St Leonards Park and Chatswood. Patronage studies Mosman Rhodes Merrylands indicate that around 30% of customers Olympic Park Wetherill Park North Sydney using the North West Rail Link from the Auburn hills district will get off the train before Sydney Lidcombe Berala Fairfield Strathfield Chatswood. Villawood Regents Park Ashfield Redfern Badgerys Creek Cabramatta Bondi Bondi Beach One third of customers will get off Newtown Junction the North West Rail Link at or before Kensington Canterbury Bankstown Coogee Chatswood, including the major Bringelly Liverpool Mascot employment hubs of Macquarie Park and Hoxton Park

Norwest and the Macquarie University Padstow Kingsgrove Maroubra Casula Rockdale precinct. Another 11 per cent will not travel Holsworthy East Hills Hurstville into the CBD and get off the train before Port Botany Glenfield North Sydney. Oatley Origin Destination 8 Project Overview

PROJECT OBJECTIVES CUSTOMER Ensure customer needs are met through provision Improve transport network reliability by facilitating a shift FOCUS of a safe, high quality, integrated and affordable from road to rail for trips to and from the north west, to transport service. reduce bus and road congestion and improve amenity in the Sydney central business district. The new rail link will provide: Link existing communities and new growth areas in Approximately 300,000 north west Sydney with jobs and services in the global Contribute to environmental and social sustainability people living in north west economic corridor (Macquarie Park – Chatswood – by improving liveability and minimising impacts on the Sydney with rail access to North Sydney – city). environment, stakeholders and the community. Epping, Macquarie Park, Deliver a transport service that has been informed by Support the Government’s challenge to accommodate Chatswood, St Leonards, engagement with communities and stakeholders and population growth in the north west by increasing North Sydney and the represents value for money. the potential for a range of housing and employment Sydney central business opportunities. district. New rail services to existing suburbs in the hills district as well as new areas that are planned for residential and commercial development. Frequent, regular rail services and improved travel time reliability compared with bus and private car. Travel time savings from many areas of the north west distrcit to the city and Macquarie Park, and within the region, including to the Rouse Hill Town Centre. An increase in train services to Macquarie University and Macquarie Park.

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Core project activities

MILESTONE INDICATIVE TIMING

Environmental Impact Statement 1 (Civil works)

Exhibition April - May 2012

Approval Q4 2012

Environmental Impact Statement 2 (Tracks, stations, operations)

Exhibition Q4 2012

Approval Q2 2013

Property

Site readiness and essential property demolition commences June 2012

Finalise all acquisition (freeholds and tenancies) Q4 2013

Early Works

Early works commence Q4 2012

Major Tender, Tunnelling

Release EOI June 2012 End June 2012

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North West Rail Link construction map

Windsor Road Rouse HillRouse Hill Viaduct to Windsor Road LegendLegend NORTH WEST Cudgegong Road Viaduct GROWTH CENTRE Tunnel boring machine site

Old Windsor Road to White Hart Drive Construction site

Samantha Riley Drive to New railway station Windsor Road KellyvilleKellyville

Cudgegong Existing railway station Road and Hills Cherrybrook Tallawong Centre Balmoral North West Rail Link Stabling and Memorial Road Maintenance Avenue Above ground

TunnelTunnel

Existing lineExisting line

Bella NorwestNorwest Castle HillCastle Hill Vista Epping Decline

Cheltenham Intermediate Services Epping Macquarie Services Facility Facility University

EppingEpping North Ryde

Signalling and operating systems between Epping and Chatswood to be upgraded

Macquarie Chatswood Park Interchange

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Latest project news

Site readiness work at the first of the 17 construction sites about to begin.

Delivery scope including contract packaging ROUTE and operating model complete. ALTERNATIVES Land required to build the stations and stabling yard under acquisition. During the development of the North West Rail Link concept, Early works contracts including power and a range of alternatives, including utility relocations, road works and other project routes to Parramatta, were start-up works commence later this year. analysed. Major industry engagement process The North West Rail Link via completed. Epping was deemed to meet the Planning work for the project is now well greatest need and serve Sydney’s advanced. long term objectives for land use and transport planning. Environmental Impact Statement 1 (EIS1) examined major construction work including More recent analysis of travel tunnelling, station excavation and major above behaviour continues to support ground construction, including the 4 kilometres the current route and alignment Skytrain viaduct – exhibited April - May 2012. for the North West Rail Link. Investigations undertaken by A total of 350 submissions were received Transport for NSW indicate that, following EIS 1. of the north west’s total workforce A second and separate EIS is now being of approximately 121,000, four per prepared and will be released later this year, cent work in Parramatta, compared examining railway station design, operations, with 20 per cent in the global maintenance, rail infrastructure and systems economic corridor (Macquarie including signalling. Park–Chatswood–St Leonards– North Sydney–city).

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Artist’s impression: North West Rail Link Skytrain at Rouse Hill

13 Project Overview

Sydney’s Rail Future THE FIVE STAGES OF SYDNEY’S RAIL FUTURE Sydney’s trains are the backbone of the city’s public transport system, carrying over a million STAGE COMPONENT DESCRIPTION people a day. Operational Timetable overhaul to introduce standardised and regular “clockface” stopping patterns, more But there’s a limit to what our current system efficiencies express services Significantly improved dwell management, with better management of door closure can do, and Sydney is outgrowing its rail 1 Platform de-cluttering to allow clear passenger entrance and exit network. Better incident recovery management through improved operational processes The challenge posed by the complex ageing system means the network cannot grow Network Completion of South West Rail Link, station upgrades and Rail Clearways projects Introduction of even simpler timetables across the network sufficiently to meet forecast demand. efficiencies 2 Introduction of Automatic Train Operations The current network does not deliver what Transition to dedicated fleet types for some lines customers want – shorter journey times and Track infrastructure enhancement services that are more regular, more reliable and Platform re-design tailored to different customer needs. New rapid Rapid transit trains are used to offer a comfortable, frequent, fast and high capacity link Sydney’s rail system needs to be modernised. transit system to busy inner areas 3 Completion of the North West Rail Link and procurement of rolling stock for the new rapid transit The solution is Sydney’s Rail Future. single deck train system initially operating between the North West and Chatswood, with a cross- platform interchange to suburban services for those customers travelling to the CBD A whole-of-network approach has been taken There will be a train from Chatswood to the CBD every three minutes in peak periods to long term planning for Sydney’s Rail Future. In line with the North West Rail Link, upgrade of the Epping to Chatswood Rail Link to a high capacity rapid transit system It has closely analysed anticipated future demand across the network to identify areas Second Completion of a new tunnel under the Harbour and a new Sydney CBD line, allowing services from requiring significant capacity increases. Harbour the North West Rail Link to extend direct to the Sydney CBD 4 Crossing The second Harbour Crossing will create the largest increase in capacity to the Sydney rail network Change will not be delivered overnight. for 80 years Implementation of the strategy will unfold Untangling the CBD enables major capacity increases on the Western line over through a long term program of service Southern Extension of the new single deck service to Bankstown and Hurstville improvements, capital works and network sector Continue major timetable changes to existing suburban services to continue major capacity upgrades. 5 conversion increases to South West and Western Sydney Better express services introduced due to separation from rapid transit

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Understanding the challenges

Crowded trains with 3 by 2 seating A GROWING CAPABILITY arrangements, which are slow to load and unload, resulting in long dwell We cannot expect to continue to carry CITY times (the time a train needs to stop more and more passengers on a rail Sydney is a modern international city in a station for passengers to board network that has not fundamentally experiencing growth in population and and alight). changed for many decades. Even today, employment. Sydney currently has a there are parts of the network where Crowded stations that rely on stairs population of about 4.6 million, but this the daily task of transporting people is instead of escalators as the principal is projected to grow significantly over asking too much of a system that has means of accessing platforms and the coming years to 5.1 million by 2021 been built over a period of more than concourse levels. and 6 million by 2031. 150 years. Narrow platforms at busy city Driven by population growth, Comparing Sydney’s rail system to stations, which hinder passenger flow employment in Sydney is expected to major world cities shows that we have between trains and stairs and make increase from its current level of 2.1 pushed the complex two-door double it difficult for people on the platform million workers to 2.6 million by 2031. deck network further than any other to make way for passengers alighting The Sydney central business district will operator. from trains. remain the primary employment centre, The ageing and complex system has a Traditional signalling technology, and the global economic corridor, number of bottlenecks that effectively which impedes optimised train including Macquarie Park, North Shore, slow the whole network down. running and maximum utilisation city and the airport, will account for of line capacity. about a third of the employment Large numbers of junctions – trains opportunity in Sydney. converge on the same line and must cross at junctions. This growth is going to place pressure on a rail system already straining to Complex train timetables that cope with current demand from years demand trains with different service of under investment. patterns share the same line, which can result in slower trains delaying fast and express trains.

15 Project Overview

through the network will experience CAPACITY overcrowding. CBD SUBURBAN

The closer we get to the capacity of Without action, capacity will be CONGESTION BOTTLENECKS the system, the less reliable it will be reached much sooner. This will Without improvements, the CBD will The Western and North Shore lines are and the less it will meet the needs and mean that most lines running experience significantly higher levels of the key bottlenecks of the network, expectations of rail customers. through the network will experience overcrowding, with the most affected congestion by 2031, as almost half of as these lines have the highest level Sydney’s rail network faces a number of areas being on the already heavily morning peak travel has a city station as of interchange and station congestion capacity challenges: used lines coming into the city from its destination. Therefore, the expected in the city. A congested platform at There are parts of the rail network, the West and North Shore. growth in travel to the city is linked to Town Hall can create flow on delays at such as the Western line, where 20 the growth in demand across the various Blacktown and Penrith. Growth in south The Government is adding new rail lines. By 2031 each of the three western Sydney and in the are scheduled to run in the services to the network through busiest peak hour, yet frequently only busiest city stations are expected to airport precinct will place increasing the North West Rail Link and the experience an increase of more than an pressure on the East Hills lines which 17 trains actually arrive during that South West Rail Link. This requires same period. additional 10,000 passengers per hour in must share track through the city with additional capacity on the rest of the the peak. the busy . As reliability challenges have system and in particular into the city. increased, journey times by rail have been increased – indeed, journeys on BARANGAROO many lines are between 10 per cent At the new Barangaroo development and 20 per cent slower today than in alone – the closest city station being 1992. Wynyard – employment is forecast to On current projections, if we simply rise from an estimated 8,000 in 2016 do the minimum with the rail network to more than 20,000 in 2031. The and allow for modest increases Wynyard Walk, now under construction, in capacity alongside committed will allow people to walk between rail projects, the network will run Wynyard and Barangaroo. The current out of capacity at some point system is not set up to deal with the during the mid to late 2020s – this extra train network from commuters means that most lines running trying to get to work at Barangaroo.

16 Project Overview

THREE TIERS TO MEET CHANGING CUSTOMER NEEDS, The customer experience SYDNEY’S RAIL FUTURE WILL DELIVER A THREE TIER RAIL SYSTEM: Sydney’s Rail Future will improve No timetable required on rapid transit the customer experience. FASTER MORE system – turn up and go. TIER 1: RAPID People travelling along lines linking RELIABLE Reliable with new infrastructure and TRANSIT the north west, the global economic technology. Frequent ‘turn up and go’ corridor and the south will be able to SERVICES services without the need ‘turn up and go’ without consulting a for consulting a timetable. Timetable improvements – less timetable. INCREASED crossings at busy junctions. . Fast single deck trains, Passengers travelling on other lines will CAPACITY with plenty of seats, more Improvements to platform efficiency use suburban or intercity trains that doors, designed for easy and design. More than a 60 per cent increase have improved reliability as well as extra boarding and alighting. in services to the Sydney CBD, the services that will be greatly enhanced Less time that trains remain at biggest step change in capacity TIER 2: SUBURBAN by technological innovation. stations (dwell time). since the construction of the Harbour Timetabled services. Some customers may need to Bridge and the city underground – Double deck trains with interchange more than they currently NEW RAPID an increase of up to 75 services over more seats per train. do, but increased train frequency on today’s busiest peak hour. the new rapid transit system will reduce TRANSIT TIER 3: INTERCITY the inconvenience of interchange, as Ability to carry 90,000 to 100,000 A rapid-transit, high capacity, fast Timetabled services. people will not have to wait long for a more people per hour in the peak. single deck train every five minutes, connection. Double deck trains for providing access to key destination Major capacity improvements across Central Coast, Newcastle, Real time information will be provided points through Sydney’s major the network with increases in the Wollongong and Blue at stations via more modern passenger employment and education centres. peak of more than 60 additional trains Mountains services. information systems. High quality Rapid transit services for Hurstville, across the harbour and through the Comfortable services for facilities will be introduced through the Bankstown, the lower North Shore, city (30 each direction). long distance commute ongoing Transport Access Program, Epping to Chatswood and the and leisure travel with including new car parks and improved Capacity to the CBD will increase North West Rail Link. on-board facilities for lighting and other safety features at by up to 14 trains per hour along the improved customer stations. Integrated ticketing will also A new high capacity service through western lines. convenience. make it easier for customers to switch the city. transport modes.

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Stations…meeting customer needs

Tallawong CudgegongRoad Rouse Hill Kellyville Bella Vista Norwest Hills Centre Castle Hill Cherrybrook Road Stabling and Maintenance Facility Chatswood Park Epping University Macquarie Macquarie North Ryde

NORTH WEST TOWN COMMUTER COMMUTER BUSINESS PARK COMMUTER GROWTH CENTRE CENTRE CAR PARK CAR PARK CAR PARK

COMMUTER BUS CAR PARK INTERCHANGE CASTLE HILL SHOWGROUND

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TO HORNSBY, TO HORNSBY, AND THE AND THE CENTRAL CENTRAL COAST COAST

CudgegongRoad Rouse Hill Kellyville Bella Vista Norwest Hills Centre Castle Hill Cherrybrook

Chatswood Park Epping University Macquarie Macquarie North Ryde

TOWN COMMUTER TO STRATHFIELD MAJOR EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS TO NORTH CENTRE CAR PARK AND THE CITY EDUCATION HUB PARK SYDNEY AND PRECINCT THE CITY BUS INTERCHANGE RETAIL PRECINCT

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure that this document is correct at the time of publication, the NSW Government, Transport for NSW and their officers, employees and agents disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of anything or the consequences of anything done or omitted to be done in reliance upon the whole or any part of this document. 19 1800 019 989 northwestrail.com.au