The Project
On 12 May 2021, the NSW Government confirmed two further additions to the Sydney Metro West project – Pyrmont and Sydney CBD. This announcement now completes the plans for underground metro rail line between Parramatta and the Sydney CBD, which includes Westmead, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and The Bays.
The Hunter Street station will be located in the commercial heart of the Sydney CBD, on the corner of Hunter and George streets and Bligh and O’Connell streets (Figure 1). It will establish easy connections to George Street, Light Rail, Sydney Trains services at Wynyard and Martin Place and the new Sydney Metro City & Southwest station at Martin Place.
The Pyrmont station will be located between Pyrmont Bridge Road and Union Street (Figure 2). It will be located on the doorstep of Darling Harbour, Blackwattle Bay, the new Sydney Fish Market and the Sydney CBD.
Implications
The NSW Government has submitted a Scoping Report outlining the major civil construction work that is to be conducted, which includes station excavation and tunnelling between The Bays and Sydney CBD. More importantly, the report acknowledges that acquisition of land and business premises would be required for the proposed station sites and construction areas. The implications of this include termination of existing leases, as well as associated business displacement or loss. There are growing concerns amongst the community regarding the properties that will be subject to the acquisition. For this project, there are 13 commercial buildings that the NSW Government has identified for compulsory acquisition. This includes 11 commercial buildings for the Hunter Street station and two commercial buildings for the Pyrmont station.
The announcement serves a timely reminder that those affected stakeholders should exercise their rights in accordance with the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 (NSW) (“the Act”). The Act clearly sets out the process that the NSW Government must follow in the acquisition process, as well as the entitlement to compensation for those affected.
Project Lawyers are acting for owners and occupiers affected by the Sydney Metro West Project.
Figure 1 – Proposed construction site for Hunter Street Station*
Figure 2 – Proposed construction site for Pyrmont Station*
The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only. This publication does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Specific legal advice should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
