Greater Parramatta future underground infrastructure corridor

Transport for NSW has released a preferred alignment for a future underground infrastructure corridor in Greater Parramatta. The underground infrastructure corridor will seek to house a future New Cumberland rail line which will connect locations expecting significant growth and development in the coming decades. 

Protecting the land occupying the proposed future underground infrastructure corridor is necessary to safely deliver and operate the future New Cumberland Line, while allowing development to occur. To do this, the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (the Department) is proposing to use the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 to identify the corridor and apply planning controls and other appropriate protection measures. 

The Department has prepared an Explanation of Intended Effect (EIE) detailing these proposed changes and will consider community feedback received from 18 November 2024 until 10 January 2025.

Protecting our future rail infrastructure 

Corridor protection allows the Department to safeguard land for future infrastructure. This is particularly important for underground projects which need to consider the structural integrity of a future underground tunnel as well as those developments above it. This approach assures the community and industry that proposed developments will not affect the viability or structural integrity of future infrastructure. 

Corridor protection is separate from the infrastructure delivery phase. Delivery of any future rail infrastructure is subject to the development approvals process.  

Exhibition documents 

Summary of proposed changes 

The Department is proposing to amend the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 to:   

• Identify land to be protected for the New Cumberland Line future underground infrastructure corridor;   
• Refer any development that may impact the future underground infrastructure corridor to Transport for NSW for comment or concurrence approval;   
• Require extra consideration for any proposed development which may impact the practicability, cost, structural integrity, safety, or ability to construct, maintain, or operate the future underground rail infrastructure.   

Next steps 

The Department will consider any feedback, comments or submissions provided regarding the proposed amendment to the State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021 received through the exhibition period. 

1. Once Transport for NSW has finalised the alignment for the New Cumberland Line underground infrastructure corridor, a formal request will be made to the Minister for Planning and Public Spaces to protect the corridor. 
2. The Department will consider this request, and provide a recommendation to the Minister, and if required, an amendment to State Environmental Planning Policy (Transport and Infrastructure) 2021. 
3. Transport for NSW will then notify relevant landowners of the protection of the New Cumberland Line future underground infrastructure corridor.