Item 12.1 - Attachment 1

West Metro Detailed Report

 

DETAILED REPORT

West Metro Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA)

 

 

1.      Outline of the Summary Preliminary Environmental Assessment

The West Metro is an underground rail service from Central to Westmead with 11 stations including Camellia and Parramatta.  The West Metro is the second stage of the Sydney Metro network which consists of two lines:

·        Metro 1 - CBD Metro (stage 1), West Metro (stage 2) and North West Metro (future stage)

·        Metro 2 - Northern Beaches Metro and South East Metro (future stages)

 

The Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) highlights the benefits of the West Metro as:

·        Reduced travel times between Parramatta, the Inner West and Sydney CBD with journey time savings of up to 30 minutes from the Inner West

·        Relief to the Western Line by reducing demand by 40%

·        Strengthen Parramatta’s role as Sydney’s second CBD

·        Stimulate and support population and employment growth

·        Support significant urban renewal (Harris Park, Rosehill and Camellia)

·        Reduce road congestion as people change from car and bus to metro.

 

The Metro trains will be driverless with onboard attendants and have 5 single deck carriages with a capacity of up to 40,000 passengers per hour per direction.  Services will operate from 05:30am to 00:00am midnight Sunday to Thursday and until to 01:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.  The frequency will be every 2-3 minutes during the peak and every 5 minutes during the daytime.

 

The construction of the West Metro is planned to start in 2011 with construction activity limited to the stations at Westmead, Parramatta and Camellia which will involve the removal of up to 125,000m3 of spoil.  The removal of tunnel spoil will occur outside of the LGA. The West Metro is planned to be operational by 2017. 

 

 

2.   Issues for Council

Council needs to consider the implications of the proposed West Metro in preparation of the draft Parramatta LEP and DCP in terms of future development in the areas surrounding the proposed West Metro stations.  However, the certainty of the project is a major constraint and caution is needed when considering any changes to land zoning that assumes the West Metro will be built.  This will attempt to avoid the situation on the Carlingford Line whereby the land zoning assumed the Parramatta Rail Link would be delivered but was subsequently deferred.

 

3.   Draft Submission to Sydney Metro

Parramatta City Council welcomes the release of the PEA and continues to support the development of the proposed West Metro.  However Council has serious concerns with the lack of any committed funding by either State or Federal Governments beyond 2009/10.  Council should seek commitment and funding from both Governments on the delivery of the West Metro scheme which is essential if Parramatta is to perform its planned role as Sydney’s second centre.

 

Council requests that the following issues be adequately addressed:

·        Impact on The Loop – There is likely to be a significant increase in patronage and demand for the Loop to be an expand two-way service.  It will come at significant cost and this Council initiative will need State Government funding to be able to continue to deliver this already well patronised community service.

 

·        Traffic impact on James Ruse Drive - The proposed “large scale” park & ride at Camellia station on James Ruse will generate significant traffic growth.  This will increase traffic congestion on James Ruse Drive and the function of the intersection with Grand Avenue and Hassall Street.

 

·        Carlingford Line – State Government needs to declare the future strategy for the Carlingford Line now as there are implications for both it and West Metro, especially in terms of interchange design and construction.  Patronage on Carlingford Line is likely to significant increase once the West Metro opens, however, there is little scope to increase capacity on the line due to cancelled State Government investment.  It also raises the viability of continuing to operate the line to Clyde as it is expected that an overwhelming majority of passengers will change to Metro, as well as the continued disruption to traffic flows on Parramatta Road that the Carlingford Line causes.  A multimodal transport study is required to determine a committed future strategy for the Carlingford Line.  This study needs to include rail and bus based transport modes in all their forms.

 

·        Civic Place – there needs to be further detailed discussions and agreement on:

o   Integration of the Parramatta station and Civic Place - The station design needs to be integrated with the Civic Place development in design, construction and future operation.  The Civic Place development includes public open space in the proposed station location and is surrounded by developments with basement parking.

 

o   Provision of retail and commercial space - Sydney Metro should not seek to develop any retail and commercial space beyond the immediate needs of the station or in conflict the Civic Place committed retail and commercial space.

 

o   Proposed project worksite boundary – The proposed worksite boundary includes the area covered by Stage 1.  This is expected to commence construction in 2010 and be completed by 2012.

 

·        Environmental Impact – there needs to be detailed consideration of the flooding and contamination issues at the proposed Camellia station location.  There also needs to be consideration for the need for dilapidation studies to monitor any damage to buildings due to construction work, and in particular from vibrations.

 

Council also notes the following errors and omissions within the PEA:

·        The planned growth of Parramatta city centre by 2031 is 30,000 jobs and 20,000 residents.

·        SREP28 Parramatta and Parramatta City Centre LEP 2007 applies to the city centre.

·        St Johns Cathedral is a significant heritage item.

·        Cycle route on the station precinct maps.

 

 

4.   Consultation

Council officers have established communications with Sydney Metro and have provided technical advice relating the existing and possible future directions of the station precincts.  The Civic Place team has established direct communications relating to the Parramatta station which is proposed to be located within the Civic Place development.

 

Sydney Metro presentation information to Councillors on the Preliminary Environmental Assessment occurred on 14 October 2009.

 

The Environmental Assessment for the West Metro is scheduled for public exhibition in the first quarter of 2010 and Council will need to consider this document.