Govt decline to fund Rail Link

Updated: 06:57, Monday May 7, 2012

The federal government has knocked back a NSW request for it to fund the North West Rail Link, suggesting more buses be put on instead.

The NSW government had asked Infrastructure Australia to partially fund the $8.5 billion project, linking Sydney’s northwestern suburbs with Epping and the city centre.

But News Ltd reports Infrastructure NSW’s request for Canberra to put in $2.1 billion has been refused.

The newspaper said, while Infrastructure Australia has recognised Sydney’s congestion problems, it is downplayed the importance of the North West Rail Link, saying it is not clear the project is the highest priority transport problem for the Sydney network.

The decision means NSW will have to fund the entire project.