Early works at Sydney’s long-dormant Woollahra station site have begun, marking a major step toward delivering a new heavy rail station for the eastern suburbs.
Transport for New South Wales accessed the site during a planned shutdown of the T4 Eastern Suburbs Line to carry out essential investigations into ground conditions and existing structures ahead of future construction.
The station site has remained idle since the 1970s, when a station at Woollahra was proposed but did not proceed. Once delivered, the station will provide an eight-minute rail trip to the Sydney CBD on a line that currently has more spare capacity than any other line on the network, with AM peak services between the city and Bondi Junction operating at about 43 per cent of capacity.
The NSW Government is also progressing a rezoning of the Woollahra and Edgecliff station precincts to support up to 10,000 new homes, including a proportion of affordable housing to be determined through the planning process. The rezoning process is expected to take around two years, with plans anticipated to go on public exhibition in the second half of 2026.
Subject to planning approval, station construction is expected to begin in 2027.
NSW Minister for Transport, John Graham, said the project would reconnect the long-abandoned site to the rail network while supporting housing growth close to transport.
“Woollahra Station will provide locals an eight-minute journey to the CBD and take cars off busy local streets,” Graham said.
“This station makes sense when you consider the young families being forced to move out of Sydney because they cannot afford a home. About 10,000 new homes in this area will form part of the solution and help rebalance growth away from Sydney’s west.”
New South Wales Acting Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Yasmin Catley, said integrating housing delivery with transport infrastructure was a key focus of the State Government.
“Woollahra will become another example of new homes being delivered close to transport, services and public spaces.
“Every area of Sydney has to take its fair share of housing, which is why we set new housing targets to rebalance growth in a way that is fair for all of Sydney,” Catley said.
Transport for NSW Secretary Josh Murray said the investigations would provide critical data for the station’s design.
“This work will be critical to inform plans for the design of the station. Construction is expected to start in 2027 and be completed in 2029,” Murray said.
Sydney Trains Chief Executive, Matt Longland, said safety had been the priority during the site investigations.
“By carrying out these investigations during a scheduled rail shutdown, we ensured our teams could work efficiently and safely while minimising disruption to passengers and residents,” Longland said.
