Get on with it.

That is the key message from the Federal Member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander MP, to the NSW Premier, Chris Minns MP, following the Premier’s remarks regarding rail services to Western Sydney Airport (WSA).

Recently, Premier Minns stated that the NSW Government does not intend to build rail services to connect WSA with South West Sydney.

This would mean no new stations in Camden or Narellan, nor would it connect the airport with pre-existing stations such as Macarthur, Campbelltown or Leppington.

For Dr Freelander, this is appalling, especially considering that whilst the NSW Government is reconsidering their involvement in this crucial project, the Federal Government understands the importance of this project for the region.

In March, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP, announced that the Federal Government will be investing $1 billion to secure rail corridors in South West Sydney to connect the region with WSA. Once the land was acquired, the NSW Government would then build either Metro or Sydney Trains lines, with heavy rail also being a consideration.

This land acquisition by the Federal Government would help ease the cost on the NSW Government, who would maintain rail services via NSW Transport.

Instead, the NSW Government is walking away from a major infrastructure project that would have brought significant economic & social benefits to South West Sydney.

This is frustrating and disappointing, especially when considering the current population of South West Sydney is approximately 650,000 people: making it larger than Tasmania (578,000) and Canberra (480,000).

For Dr Freelander, he firmly believes that residents of South West Sydney have paid more than their fair share in billions of dollars to the NSW Government through taxes, stamp duty and tolls, so it is only reasonable that they are not abandoned by this NSW Government.

Quotes attributable to Dr Mike Freelander MP:

“The recent remarks by the Premier are unacceptable. This is not the right call as Western Sydney Airport needs passengers to succeed and these passengers need a way and means to reliably get to the airport.

“If passengers cannot access rail services, then they are left with the motorways being the only link. This not only increases road congestion, but it also increases the chances of accidents, delays and economic disruption.

“A bus service is not the solution, as it will be considerably slower. It is not acceptable for our residents to rely on this when the State Government has managed to afford rail links in other areas of Sydney.

“The Federal Government is committed to the South West Rail link to WSA. We need the NSW Government to work with our local governments and the Federal Government to ensure the people of South West Sydney get the infrastructure they deserve.

“I call on the NSW Premier and the local NSW MP’s of our region to urgently review this matter and to provide the investment and support needed to get this project underway and delivered. I also call on the South West Sydney Alliance and local Council’s to join with me.”