North West Rail Link on public exhibition

“It would include the construction of a two track rail alignment from Epping to Rouse Hill, 23km in length with trains operating between the north west and Chatswood,” the listing with New South Wales’ planning and infrastructure department states.

Eight stations are proposed, at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, Hills Centre, Bella Vista, Kellyville, Rouse Hill and Cudgegong road.

Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian said that the first EIS was approved in late September and that this focuses on a number of different elements, including the design of the eight new stations, the commuter parking and the areas around the stations.

“We are building a piece of infrastructure that will completely change the way of life for people across Sydney, benefiting generations to come – so we need to get it right from the start and the community is a critical part of that.”

The plans will see the Rouse Hill to Macquarie Park trip taking 28 minutes, while to Chatswood it will take 37 minutes and to Wynyard, 57 minutes.

The application states that this is a key project in response to a predicted population surge across Sydney.

“Sydney faces a number of key growth challenges centring on population issues (including employment and housing needs); sustainability; productivity (competition and resources); and efficiencies of infrastructure delivery (particularly transport infrastructure and as part of the wider
network of infrastructure across Sydney),” it notes.

“More than 300,000 people currently live in north west Sydney and this population is rapidly growing.

“Population projections indicate that an additional 1.7 million people would need to be accommodated in the Sydney region by 2036. The north west subregion … has become the fastest growing area in Sydney and is expected to continue to grow, with an additional 394,500 people living, or living and working in the area by 2036.”

It is on display until 3rd December 2012 for comment.