Sydney has caught a first glimpse of future Metro West stations, which the NSW government says will reflect the “character” and “energy” of their locations.
The transport hubs — including Westmead, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock, The Bays and Hunter Street — will connect western areas to the Sydney CBD in “under 20 minutes”.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the stations, which have been approved to build, would be “transformational” for their communities.
“It’s expected by 2036 during the peak hours, 20,000 people will be heading east to Sydney’s CBD and 10,000 people will be heading west to Parramatta CBD,” he said.
A render of Hunter Street Metro West Station on the corner of George Street. (Supplied: NSW government)
Transport Minister John Graham said out of all of the metro lines, the Metro West was the most important because of the places it connected, including Pyrmont with its new entertainment spaces underway — The Bays and Sydney Olympic Park.
“Sydney will be a super connected city as this Metro West project reaches completion in 2032,” he said.
Mr Minns said the developments would cost about $600 million and complement some of the state government’s housing plans, including building up to 8,500 homes at The Bays precinct.
When asked whether the Iran war would cause cost blowouts, the premier said: “We’re not forecasting that at the moment, but it does put pressure on construction projects.”
The design for The Bays Metro West Station. (Supplied: NSW government)
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said getting from Parramatta to Sydney’s CBD so quick was “transformational”.
“Those of us that grew up in Western Sydney never thought that it would be possible to get from that second CBD of Sydney and Parramatta to the city in under half an hour,” she said.
Member for Strathfield Jason Yat-Sen Li said the Burwood North Station would be “pivotal” to the future of the community.
“Ultimately, I think it’s about the people of our community and making their lives easier, making sure they can get to and from work faster, get home quicker to be with their families,” he said.
The Burwood North Metro West station will include an underground walkway. (Supplied: NSW government)
Neighbourhood character ’embedded’
Mr Graham said each station was unique and incorporated the characteristics of their location.
“[At] The Bays Station, people will come out of that station, they’ll enjoy a framed view of the White Bay Power Station through the windows there, including its iconic chimneys,” he said.
“At Westmead, the colours of the architecture there will draw upon the geology and the plants of the local landscape.
“North Strathfield will reflect the distinctive street frontage of that suburb — some of the characteristic arches of the nearby buildings, the brick facades that you might find on Queen Street there, reflected in the station design itself.”
The NSW government says the local council has plans for the station at Five Dock. (Supplied: NSW government)
He said the local council had a strong vision for Five Dock Station at Fred Kelly Place.
The station at Burwood North will have a 60-metre walkway allowing people to cross underneath Parramatta Road to get to the other side.
“Burwood is diverse, it’s vibrant, it’s full of energy and we’re confident that this metro station is just going to reflect that character of the neighbourhood and the people,” Mr Li said.
The Strathfield Metro West Station’s design was inspired by local architecture. (Supplied: NSW government)
The NSW government said in a statement the final designs would be completed in early 2027.
Major tunnelling works are now complete, with the focus shifting to construction of the train lines and stations, which is expected to begin by the end of the year.
Contracts for the remaining western stations including Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park and Pyrmont are expected to be announced later this year.