The Federal Government has not undertaken a study to assess the business viability,  or received any submission from the NSW state government in support of the planned $2.1 billion Parramatta-to-Epping rail link, according to an article published by The Australian. The project is the subject of an intergovernmental agreement that would see work begin on the rail link this year.

 

Infrastructure and Transport Department Secretary Mike Mrdak told the Senate Rural and Transport Estimates Committee that his agency's involvement in the election promise was confined to finalising a memorandum of understanding for the project between the state and federal governments.

 

"Since the announcement of the commitment by the Australian government there has been no further details or business case provided," he said.

 

Michael Deegan, head of Infrastructure Australia, confirmed to the hearing that the decision on the rail link was made independently of his agency. He said IA had written to Premier O'Farrell to find out if the NSW government  supports projects backed by the previous Labor government, but had yet to receive a reply.

 

Since the defeat of Christine Keneally’s labor government in the NSW state elections, Premier Barry O’Farrell has urged the Federal Government to redirect funds from the Parramatta-to-Epping to the proposed North-West rail link, one of the core promises of O’Farrell’s campaign.

 

The Senate Estimates hearing was also told by Mr Mrdak that the duplication of the Pacific Highway project would require a further $6 to $7 billion from the state and federal governments, over and above the funds already committed, to be completed by the target date of 2016 promised by the Federal Government.