MAYORAL MINUTE NO. 03/2019
SYDNEY METRO NORTHWEST 28 MAY 2019
Councillors,
As community leaders, each one of us will be acutely aware of this momentous era that is dawning for The Hills. We are living through a history-making event with the opening of the Sydney Metro Northwest.
It is an event that will change the lives of our children and our children’s children. It is an event that will change the way we do business and attract jobs. And it is an event that will bring prosperity and opportunity like we have never before experienced, particularly in areas like Norwest Business Park.
What an incredible day Sunday 26 May 2019 was in the life of the Hills community! So many people packed into the platforms of our stations to embrace the arrival of our newest form of public transport.
Many of us thought we would never see this day, particularly after 20 years of on-again, off- again promises.
When I was elected to Council in 2008, Councillors were already deeply involved in a number of campaigns that called for improved public transport options for The Hills. Each new Mayor made it a priority to advocate for rail to come to our community.
In my time on Council I have witnessed many meetings with officials, many plans drawn and redrawn and many, many media stories supporting a rail line.
Through our community strategic plans residents clearly articulated their desire for better transport options and greater connectivity.
One of the more publicly visible efforts our Council made was launching the ‘Build It Now’
Facebook campaign in collaboration with our local newspaper - and residents, businesses, commuters and visitors united through this platform to rally for rail.
I would like to hope that our patience, persistence and community advocacy contributed to the wonderful outcome we have on our doorstep today.
The Metro will be a game changer for The Hills. It will improve our connectivity and our quality of life. We will now be able to access Sydney with ease for employment, education and recreation.
And we will also be able to enjoy moving easily in and around our Shire.
Finally, our rail has been delivered by the NSW State Government.
Like many of us, I hope the new Metro helps to bring about a reduction in traffic congestion as more people choose to use rail rather than drive. The less time we spend travelling, the more time we can spend with our families and friends.
I’m sure we all look forward to the day the Metro goes all the way to the CBD and beyond, as well as extending to the Aerotropolis.
I would like to extend a very special thank you on behalf of Council and our community to our Premier Gladys Berejiklian for her vision and drive to deliver this project since she first announced it in 2011 when she was the Minister for Transport – and also to Andrew Constance for finishing the project.
I’m sure, given the overwhelmingly positive response on the weekend, that our community will enjoy having the Metro as part of their daily lives.
Now we are a truly moving toward a more connected community.
Accordingly I move that : MOTION:
This Mayoral Minute be received.
Dr Michelle Byrne MAYOR
