Greater West Metro

Details
Penrith City Council (02) 4732 7777 (02) 4732 7958 council@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au 601 High St Penrith NSW 2750 Australia
Greater West Metro

The Greater West Metro (formerly referred to as North South Rail) is a new rail line which will connect Penrith residents to opportunities in employment, housing, health, education and recreation across the Western City region. Connecting Western Sydney from north to south with a rail link is essential to supporting the region's fastest-growing areas and the most important economy in Australia.

A commitment by the State and Federal Government to jointly fund Stage One of the Greater West Metro was announced as part of the Western Sydney City Deal. Stage One will connect St Marys to the new Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis and the Western Sydney Airport in time for its opening in 2026.

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Penrith Council has been a leading advocate for the North South Rail Link since 2015, with a long-term vision to connect Western Sydney from Schofields in the north to Macarthur in the south; linking these key growth centres to the Western Sydney Airport and creating an integrated public transport system that opens up the entire region to new possibilities.

Council’s Western Sydney Rail needs study submission to the Western Sydney Rail Needs Scoping Study supported a Greater West Metro, including a South West Rail Link Extension, connecting Leppington with the Western Sydney Airport, as the only Region and City shaping rail option with the capacity to substantially enhance the liveability and economic prosperity of Western Sydney.

The Greater West Metro is a transformational project with the potential to deliver Council's long-held vision of a 30-minute city; stimulating growth in housing and employment, improving access to local jobs, health and education opportunities and a better work-life balance for residents.

Currently, Stage One of the Greater West Metro has been confirmed. It will connect St Marys to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and the new Western Sydney Airport and will be jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments.

Further to Stage One, the full length of the North South Rail Link (running from Schofields in the North to Macarthur in the South and including a South West Rail Link Extension connecting Leppington to the Western Sydney Airport) is one of four proposed future transport corridors for Western Sydney announced by the State Government on 26 March 2018.

While Council welcomes the State and Federal Government commitment to deliver Stage One of the Greater West Metro, there is still more work to be done in order to realise the full potential of an integrated rail network across Western Sydney.

Council is committed to working with the State and Federal Government to explore the extension of the Greater West Metro to fully connect Western Sydney from Schofields in the north to Macarthur in the south.

The State and Federal governments have committed funding to undertake a business case process that will investigate corridor and delivery options for the full length of the Greater West Metro, including a South West Rail Link Extension connecting Leppington to the Western Sydney Airport.

While land that is ultimately identified for future rail links may not be needed for some years, working to protect and secure transport corridors before growth occurs means this infrastructure is secured for our region.

Council will continue to work with the State and Federal governments, Western Sydney councils and other key stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of the Greater West Metro are maximised for the people of Penrith.

Greater West Metro is the single most important piece of infrastructure that will underpin the integrated public transport system Western Sydney deserves. It will fundamentally improve connectivity in Western Sydney and unlock Penrith’s potential by:

  • Connecting Penrith to the new Western Sydney Airport, allowing residents to take advantage of new jobs and services from day one of airport operations in 2026.
  • Providing an unrivalled catalyst for employment, innovation and economic growth in the region to deliver more local jobs.
  • Providing easier and faster access to existing and future jobs, schools, health services and the new airport hub.
  • Increasing housing availability and affordability close to rail connections.
  • Reducing the >71.5% reliance on motor vehicles for journeys to work in Western Sydney, significantly reduce commuting times and improve quality of life.
  • Encouraging investment in the region including aviation, agribusiness, manufacturing, retail, transport and technology industries. 

For further information from the State Government on the Western Sydney Transport Corridors visit transport.nsw.gov.au/corridors. 

Read more about the North South Rail Link on our Advocacy page or at:

Read more about the Western Sydney City Deal in our media release or at:

Project Contact Details

For further information on the Sydney Metro Greater West Project call the Community information line on 1800 717 703 (9am - 5pm)
or email .