Major Contract

Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two

PROJECT STATUS
Announced
Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two

Stage Two of the Parramatta Light Rail will connect Stage One of the Parramatta Light Rail and Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point. It will have 14 stops over a 10-kilometre two-way track and will connect to the Sydney Metro West, the heavy rail in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park, and ferry services at Rydalmere and Sydney Olympic Park.

The project will be delivered in multiple phases, with the Enabling Works package to comprise the delivery of a 320-metre bridge over the Parramatta River, linking Wentworth Point and Melrose Park, and approaches on either side of the river totalling 1.3 kilometres.

The project is also proposed to include the construction of a second 260-metre bridge between Camellia and Rydalmere, which is not included in the initial Enabling Works package. Construction of the bridge is estimated to take up to three years, however the timing and procurement process for delivery for this component or other work packages beyond Enabling Works have not yet been made public.

Key Dates

Jun 2022 Project Announcement
Dec 2022 Enabling Works - ROI Open
Jan 2023 Enabling Works - ROI Close
2025 Expected Construction Commencement
2033 Expected Construction Completion

Funding contributions

NSW Government

The NSW Government has allocated:

  • $602.4 million in the 2022-23 NSW Budget
  • $200 million in the 2023-24 NSW Budget, and
  • $2.1 billion in the 2024-25 NSW Budget.

A 2023 NSW Parliamentary Budget Office Report revealed Transport for NSW's estimated total cost for Stage Two (at that time) was $3.9 billion.

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Transport for NSW
Shortlist: Enabling Works Package: CPB Contractors and McConnell Dowell joint venture; Fulton Hogan and SRG Global joint venture; and John Holland.
Related contracts:
Enabling Works package
Successful Tenderer - John Holland

PROJECT HISTORY

Oct 2017 The NSW Government released the preferred route for Stage Two of Parramatta Light Rail. The 10-kilometre, 10 to 12 stop preferred route connects with Stage One at Rydalmere and runs east through Ermington, Melrose Park and Meadowbank, before crossing the Parramatta River south into Wentworth Point, passing through Silverwater and terminating at Sydney Olympic Park. The Government is also considering an alternative connection for Stage Two, that connects Stage One at Camellia, before running east and crossing Parramatta River to Rydalmere.
Jun 2018 The 2018-19 NSW Budget allocated $20 million in FY2018-19 to progress planning of Stage Two.
Jul 2018 Transport for NSW (TfNSW) announced that Arup had been appointed to undertake investigations for Stage Two following their role as Infrastructure Technical adviser to TfNSW on Stage One.
May 2019 The NSW Department of Planning and Environment issued the Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the project, allowing development of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to commence.
Jun 2019 The 2019-20 NSW Budget allocated $2 million to planning for the project.
Jun 2021 The NSW Government announced an additional $50 million for detailed planning, including geotechnical work and preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, for Stage Two as part of its 2021-22 NSW Budget.
Nov 2021 Transport for NSW called for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for Underground Investigation Services, closing on 22 December.
Dec 2021 Transport for NSW issued a Request for Tenders for Utilities Investigation Services for the project.
Dec 2021 The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Secretary's Environmental Assessment Requirements were issued for the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the project.
May 2022 Consultation commenced on the preferred route and 15 stop locations from Camellia to Sydney Olympic Park, closing 26 June. Site investigation work and geotechnical investigation also commenced.
May 2022 Infrastructure NSW's 2022 State Infrastructure Strategy recommended the project be re-sequenced to avoid delivery risks caused by complexity and a shortage of skilled labour. The NSW Government will assess the strategy's recommendations before making a decision on their implementation.
Jun 2022 The NSW Government confirmed it will proceed with Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two by committing $602 million for the construction of the connecting bridge between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park and other early works. The 2022-23 NSW Budget confirmed this funding and allocated $373 million over the four years to FY2025-26, including $26 million in FY2022-23.
Jun 2022 NSW Government committed $602 million to commence the enabling works package as part of the 2022-23 Budget.
Sep 2022 Transport for NSW released an Invitation to Respond (ITR) to a Market Engagement Process for the enabling package on the Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two project, closing 10 October. The package includes delivery of a public and active transport bridge, and approaches between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park.
Oct 2022 Transport for NSW released a Request for Tender (RFT) for cost advisor services, closing on the 7th of November.
Nov 2022 The Environmental Impact Statement for Stage Two was placed on public exhibition, closing on 7 December.
Dec 2022 The NSW Government called for Registrations of Interests (ROIs) to deliver the Enabling Works phase of the project. The package comprises the delivery of a 320-metre bridge over the Parramatta River, linking Wentworth Point and Melrose Park, and approaches on either side of the river totalling 1.3 kilometres.
Mar 2023 A Parliamentary Inquiry revealed the new cost estimate of Stage Two is $3.286 billion, excluding then-funded enabled works, bringing the total cost to $3.9 billion.
Sep 2023 The NSW Government allocated an additional $200 million to to ‘expedite the planning of the procurement, construction and delivery of Stage Two’ in its 2023-24 Budget, bringing the total State funding commitment to $802 million.
Oct 2023 TfNSW announced the shortlist for the Enabling Works Package - bridge from Wentworth Point to Melrose Park. Shortlisted bidders include a CPB Contractors and McConnell Dowell joint venture; a Fulton Hogan and SRG Global joint venture; and John Holland.
Feb 2024 The NSW Government announced planning approvals for the project had been granted.
Apr 2024 The NSW Government issued a Request for Tenders for the provision of Independent Certifier Services for the Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two, closing on 24 May.
Jun 2024 The NSW Government allocated an additional $2.1 billion to Parramatta Light Rail Stage Two in its 2024-25 NSW Budget, including $475 million over the four years to FY2027-28. This brought the total funding allocated to Stage Two to $2.9 billion.
Sep 2024 Transport for NSW awarded a $322 million contract for the delivery of the Parramatta Light Rail – Stage Two Enabling Works package to John Holland. These works include delivery of a 320-metre bridge over the Parramatta River between Wentworth Point and Melrose Park and bridge approaches on either side, totalling 1.3 kilometres. Design and early works for the bridge were expected to commence by the end of 2024, with main works expected to commence in 2025.
Estimated Total Cost
(2024)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement | Unconfirmed |
Location
New South Wales |
Resources
Infrastructure agency resources
Infrastructure NSW - re-sequencing recommendation
Project pages
Parramatta Light Rail