Parramatta City Council, a local government in the western region of Sydney, has now completed the two part $1 million feasibility study for the proposed Western Sydney Light Rail Network.

The Western Sydney light rail network feasibility study, carried out with the assistance of Parsons Brinckerhoff, Hassel, PwC, Elton Consulting, GHD, Arup and Hill PDA, evaluated 15 possible corridors.

Part 1 of the study identified the 15 mentioned strategic corridors within 15km of Parramatta and assessed them for their potential to address the challenges facing the region. A series of multi-criteria (transport, land use, economic, social & health and environment) gateway assessments were undertaken to identify a network of four lines and a first stage of two lines. The study concluded that light rail was indeed feasible.

 The first stage of the Western Sydney network's comprises two vital links to the north and north-east with a length of 24 Kilometres with 25 potential stations.

According to the Feasibility study, the estimated investment for the first phase of the project is $1.7 billion. The operation would cost $32 million per year.

The council is now calling both State and Federal Governments to fund a detailed study to further investigate the first stage and prepare a business case. It is estimated that this will cost up to $20 million.