Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 moves toward 2027 main works

The New South Wales Government has cleared New South Wales Government Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 to move into its next delivery phase, setting up main construction on the extension linking Sydney’s second CBD with Sydney Olympic Park, as outlined in a NSW Government ministerial release.

Main construction works are due to start in early 2027 on a 10-kilometre light rail route running from Camellia through Rydalmere, Ermington and Melrose Park to Wentworth Point and Olympic Park. The line is planned to include more than 14 light rail stops, serving one of Sydney’s fastest-growing corridors where new housing has expanded — particularly around Wentworth Point — without enough public transport links.

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Stage 2a main works: scope and procurement

In the coming weeks, the State Government will begin procurement for the next package, known as Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2a main works, covering the section from Camellia to Wentworth Point. The Stage 2a scope includes 4.5 kilometres of new track, a new bridge linking Camellia and Rydalmere, nine new light rail stops, an expanded Stabling and Maintenance Facility, and additional light rail vehicles, consistent with the scope set out on the NSW Government project page for Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2.

This phase is expected to create over 2,000 construction jobs, along with other opportunities across Western Sydney. Parramatta MP Donna Davis said the decision would support housing hubs at Melrose Park, Wentworth Point, Sydney Olympic Park and the Carter Street precinct, describing the Olympic Park extension as a “game-changer” for jobs, leisure and access to public transport. She also pointed to the first year of Parramatta Light Rail operations, saying it has improved connectivity and given residents and visitors another alternative to driving.

Funding, early works and the first phase of Stage 2

To date, as reported by Railway Supply, around $3 billion has been allocated for Stage 2, which will connect into the existing Parramatta Light Rail system carrying up to 90,000 passengers a week. While procurement for the Main Works contract progresses, the project will continue with early works, site investigations and detailed utility designs, and begin property acquisition.

Major construction is already underway on the first phase of Stage 2. These enabling works include piling for a new public and active transport bridge over the Parramatta River — the first new crossing of its kind in more than three and a half decades — and they are being delivered by John Holland Pty Ltd.

Connections, stops and planned service features

The Minns Labor Government says it has accelerated planning since 2023 and finalised the Stage 2 business case, with Federal Environmental and State Planning approvals already in place. Transport Minister John Graham said the main works contract will shortly go out to tender. He also said the link between Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park would deliver a public transport connection that was often promised under the former Liberal government but not delivered, despite rapid population and housing growth, and would give people — particularly those who have moved into Western Sydney — a viable alternative to sitting in traffic.

Key features of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 include 14 fully accessible stops over a 10-kilometre two-way track, with connections to Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1, Sydney Metro West and heavy rail at Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park. The project also includes ferry links at Rydalmere and Sydney Olympic Park, plus 9.5 kilometres of integrated active transport — including 8.5 kilometres of new shared paths.

Plans also call for a shared light rail and pedestrian zone along Dawn Fraser Avenue in Sydney Olympic Park between Australia Avenue and Olympic Boulevard, as well as new public and active transport bridges, including crossings over the Parramatta River from Camellia to Rydalmere and from Melrose Park to Wentworth Point.

Services are planned to run frequently between 5am and 1am, with travel times estimated at around 31 minutes from Camellia to the Carter Street Precinct via Sydney Olympic Park, plus a further seven minutes to the Parramatta CBD.

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