Sydney light rail delays 'unacceptable'

SYDNEY LIGHT RAIL BREAKDOWN
A western Sydney light rail line is not estimated to take passengers until 2031, angering locals. -AAP Image

Waiting another nine years for long-promised light rail is too long for high-density boroughs near Sydney's Olympic Park, locals say.

A new environmental impact report released this week on the proposed Parramatta Light Rail extension to Sydney Olympic Park estimates passengers won't be on board until 2030/31.

The 10-kilometre line was first announced in 2017 and will require five bridges, including one over Parramatta River that will take five or six years to build.

"To wait until 2031 is too long because the housing has already arrived - the housing was there yesterday," Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger told AAP.

"It's great there is funding for the big bridge but it's not there for the others."

Mr Borger, who served as roads minister in Keneally Labor government, said the light rail project had rare unanimous support from businesses, residents and community groups along the Parramatta River.

But a hard deadline was needed to give the community certainty.

"It's time to get a wriggle on - it's already missed a few stops on its journey," he said.

The line would connect a projected 100,000 people living in high-density developments east of Parramatta.

One of those developments, Wentworth Point, has a density of 21,000 per square kilometre and is mostly reliant on private vehicles and buses.

"The present government's 2031 projection for completion of this project is unacceptable," local resident Peter Corry told AAP.

"We want to see a budgeted financial commitment from both major parties as it is a critical factor in the infrastructure for our suburb and the whole Olympic Peninsula.

"Empty promises from all levels of government, not fully funded have resulted in over-development and a disparity in transportation options for the over-crowded community."

Transport Minister David Elliott's office was contacted for comment.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said the extension would transform how people move around the region and deliver a much-needed public transport solution.

"(The area) is one of the fastest growing areas in the Central River City, and this project will deliver significant improvements across Western Sydney by connecting great people with great places while supporting jobs and housing growth," he said.

The first stage of the Parramatta Light Rail project, running through the CBD and replacing a closed train line, is due to take passengers in 2024.