A parliamentary inquiry into Sydney’s South East Light Rail Project has found that the delay of the project has “contributed to the distress of residents and businesses”. The Legislative Council’s Public Accountability Committee made 20 recommendations to alleviate the project’s problems.
Among these recommendations was for a review to be undertaken into the effectiveness of Public Private Partnership contracts for significant state infrastructure projects, in light of “contractual issues” that have arisen in relation to the CBD and South East Light Rail project.
The Inquiry recommended that, once the CBD and South East Light Rail service becomes operational, Transport for NSW closely monitor patronage on the service, to ensure it can respond effectively to future demand.
It also recommended that Transport for NSW review the effectiveness of its communication strategy for the CBD and South East Light Rail project.
Additionally, the inquiry’s Public Accountability Committee recommended that Transport for NSW conduct an urgent review of all claims of property damage, with a view to providing compensation for residents whose properties have been found to be adversely impacted by the CBD and South East Light Rail project.
The Inquiry follows a period of “complex legal dispute” between Transport for NSW and contractors Acciona Infrastructure Australia.
Acciona alleges that the updated version of the Ausgrid guidelines provided to them were different to the guidelines agreed upon in the pre-contract phase, and that this discrepancy impacted on time and costs associated with the work.
View the full parliamentary inquiry report here.
