National Infrastructure Coordinator, Michael Deegan, has confirmed that the NSW Government’s analysis of the North West Rail Link is still being considered for Infrastructure Australia to recommend the project join the national infrastructure priority list.
Mr Deegan said: “Infrastructure Australia is an independent advisory body to governments, industry and the community. It is supported by both sides of politics.
“Our role is to provide independent advice on projects in order to protect taxpayers’ money.
“It is up to governments to then decide which projects to fund.
“I acknowledge that the NSW Government has undertaken some good work in developing the proposal for the North West Rail Link,” said Mr Deegan.
“We have to remember that we are talking about a project estimated to cost $8.5 billion. It is not a small amount of money.
“The NSW Government submission provided only preliminary economic analysis and that analysis shows that on the Government’s own figures the project is of marginal economic benefit.
“In addition, the submission has left unanswered the question as to how rail network capacity problems from Chatswood into the CBD are to be addressed. There may be interim solutions, for example terminating some trains on the lower north shore, but these have not been presented to us.
“At a deeper level, we also have a question about whether this project is obviously the highest priority project in Sydney.
“If this project goes ahead, what other projects do not go ahead?” Mr Deegan said.
