Jo Haylen, Member for Summer Hill, today called out the Government for its chaotic approach to the Sydney Metro project, arguing the rail buses that will replace inner west rail services for six months showed the Government had got planning for the project back-to-front.

“Six months of rail bus replacement services will cause chaos. Bus services in the inner west are already a mess, with services regularly cancelled,” Ms Haylen said. 

“On top of that, the Premier’s rezoning plans will place an extra 100,000 people in the inner west waiting for the metro to come. But before then, they'll be stuck waiting for buses that most people don’t believe will be on time or come at all.”

“This is exactly what the community has been saying all along – the services have to come before extra density. The Government has this back to front.”

The Government last year announced plans for massive rezoning along the existing Sydenham to Bankstown line, allowing for growth along the line years before construction for the Metro is due to begin. 

The Minister yesterday announced the next stages of the project were going to tender and that property and business acquisitions would be required, without giving any details.

“Once again the community is being left in the dark. The Government is good at showing off the shiny stuff, but is leaving the community in the dark when it comes to the detail,” Ms Haylen said.

“Investment in public transport is a good thing, but the community is right to be suspicious of this Government’s approach to infrastructure projects, particularly in the Inner West.”