By Rhys Haynes, the Daily Telegraph, 16 May 2011

An alternative route for the $7 billion North West Rail Link has been rejected by the State Government, as federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese made it clear the Parramatta to Epping link should remain a priority. Parramatta Council proposed the North West line be diverted to Parramatta instead of Epping to save the State and Federal Governments up to $2 billion.

Which line will go ahead and how it will be funded remains a major issue for Premier Barry O’Farrell after Canberra failed to allocate any funds to Sydney public transport infrastructure in last week’s Budget.

Mr O’Farrell had demanded Prime Minister Julia Gillard shift the $2.1 billion she set aside for the Parramatta to Epping line over to his election promise to build the North West link.

A report by Sinclair Knight Merz for Parramatta Council last month proposed diverting the North West link from Rouse Hill via Castle Hill and connecting with express trains from Parramatta. It also included a shorter, cheaper version of the Parramatta to Epping link.

But a Transport NSW spokesman dismissed the idea, confirming the line would include "construction of new stations" at Cherrybrook, Castle Hill, The Hills Centre, Norwest Business Park, Kellyville and Rouse Hill.

Mr Albanese rejected suggestions funding should have been allocated for the North West project in last week’s Budget.

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