The Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 project is set to continue the expansion of the existing Stage 1 route and link Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park. This new phase will pass through key areas such as Camellia, Ermington, Melrose Park, Rydalmere, and Wentworth Point.

Once the extension is completed, these growing suburbs will be connected with a light rail that will provide faster and more convenient transport options for local residents and fellow commuters. This expansion is an essential part of improving public transport in the region, making travel more accessible and efficient for everyone.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Project Details

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will play a huge role in connecting communities across the Greater Parramatta and the Olympic Peninsula, helping bring the vision of the “30-minute city” closer to reality.

What this means for the local people living in these areas is a much better access to transport, which reduces travel time and improves the quality of life for the local population.

The new Stage 2 will feature a 10 km two-way track with a total of 14 stops, lowering the travel times to about 31 minutes from Camellia to the Carter Street Precinct via Sydney Olympic Park.

From there, it will take about an extra 7 minutes to reach the Parramatta CBD. Commuters can expect frequent “turn up and go” services running every 7.5 minutes during weekdays from 7am to 7pm, and every 10 to 15 minutes during weekends, public holidays, and outside peak times.

Features & Characteristics

• 10km two-way track with 14 stops
• Camelia to Carter Street Precinct in 31 minutes (via Sydney Olympic)
  • Additional 7 minutes to Parramatta CBD
• Turn-up-and-go services every 7.5 minutes on weekdays from 7am to 7pm
• Turn-up-and-go-services every 10-15 minutes on weekends from 7am to 7pm

Stage 2 will also connect with other major transport services, including the heavy rail lines in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney Metro West (which is currently under construction), and ferry services at Sydney Olympic Park and Rydalmere.

This integration will offer people even more ways to get around efficiently, making it an essential step toward better public transport for the area.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 Progress & Development

Construction of the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will kick off with a whopping $2 billion investment aimed at building better and more connected communities in Sydney’s western suburbs.

This is a huge project that has been backed by the 2024-25 Budget, which allows construction to start within this current term of government.

The investment follows important approvals, including federal environmental approval and planning approval from NSW. The project will be rolled out in stages, with the first focus on delivering a new public and active transport bridge over the Parramatta River. This bridge will connect Melrose Park and Wentworth Point that will span 1.3km, and will include the necessary approaches on both sides of the river.

In the 2022-23 NSW Budget, the government allocated $602.4 million toward these initial works, known as the Enabling Works. The process to select a contractor for this phase is already underway.

That said, the Expression of Interest (EOI) period closed on 14 March 2023, and three top infrastructure companies were shortlisted to bid for the job.

These companies are the following:
John Holland Group PTY LTD
Fulton Hogan Construction PTY LTD and SRG Global (joint venture)
CPB Contractors PTY LTD and McConnell Dowell Constructors PTY LTD (joint venture)

The contract for these Enabling Works is expected to be awarded in 2024, with major construction on the bridge set to begin in 2025.

Stage 2 Consultation with Community

There have been approximately 56 information sessions being held so far in the form of community consultation for the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail project.

Transparency is key and these sessions provide truth to that statement as they were attended by over 4,319 people, which is a massive number and gives the community a chance to learn more about the project and also share their own feedback.

Additionally, the team behind the project worked with the community at other events too, including information sessions that were hosted by the Sydney Metro West project.

Feedback is important, and in July of 2018, after local residents voiced their concerns, the NSW government announced they would then look for an alternative route along the Waratah Street in Melrose Park that will become a major town centre.

From May to June in 2022, Transport for NSW also consulted the community about the Stage 2 route and which stop locations are best that span from Camellia to Sydney Olympic Park. An online survey was in effect, in addition to a Virtual Engagement Room, allowing them to gather opinions from the public.

While all of this was ongoing, the Parramatta Light Rail team also set up pop-up information stalls along the proposed route and ventured into various marketing activities, such as email campaigns, letterbox flyers, face-to-face interactions, and social media. During the public exhibition of the Environmental Impact Statement, the team spoke with over 850 people, while an additional 2,500 people visited the Virtual Engagement Room.

In August and September 2023, Transport for NSW also consulted more than 600 people on updates to the project, continuing their efforts to engage with the local community.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 with Bike Bridge Under Way

To wrap things up, the second stage of the Parramatta Light Rail project is moving forward, bringing with it exciting improvements for public transport and bike riders alike in Sydney’s west. This major infrastructure development is set to transform travel for one of the fastest-growing regions in New South Wales.

While the project is focused on improving public transport access, the addition of a shared path running alongside the light rail is a huge win for cyclists. A 5.7km section of this path, connecting Carlingford and Parramatta, opened last year, giving riders a scenic, uninterrupted route without road crossings.

Stage 2 will extend this shared path another 10km, linking the Parramatta CBD with Sydney Olympic Park. This will include new bridge connections over the Parramatta River, enhancing accessibility between Camellia, Melrose Park, Rydalmere, and Wentworth Point.

The shared path alongside the light rail will improve transport options and encourage more active and sustainable travel throughout the area. The project is well on its way to delivering a modern, connected network for both commuters and cyclists.