In a submission to the NSW Upper House Inquiry into the Sydenham to Bankstown Line Conversion, Ms Mihailuk has raised a number of concerns ranging from the inadequacy of the final business case to what she says is the Government’s disregard of overwhelming opposition from local commuters and residents.
“The Sydenham to Bankstown Metro project and its planning processes have not been communicated in an open and transparent manner, with only tokenistic consultation,” she said.
“We don’t know if the Metro will go underground at Bankstown or where the turnback will be … the project is shrouded in secrecy.
“The only part of the Sydenham to Bankstown Metro conversion that this Government has been clear about is the number of units that will be dumped along the rail corridor.”
Ms Mihailuk said the area’s public transport needs would be more cheaply and effectively met by the installation of easy access lifts, restoration of the Liverpool via Regents Park service and the exploration of alternative options to expand the rail network.
“The stations west of Bankstown have already lost their direct service and with this Metro, now all of Bankstown and the suburbs to Sydenham will lose the remaining service to the city circle,” she said.
The Inquiry is due to conduct public hearings in early November, with findings not expected to be released until June 2020.
‘Shrouded in secrecy’
OVERDEVELOPMENT along the existing Bankstown line is the only guaranteed outcome of the planned Southwest Metro warns State MP for Bankstown, Tania Mihailuk.
