The New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia has committed funding for two rail projects in its 2023-24 budget and cancelled a stand-alone rapid transit project that was to connect Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong. In addition, €610.8 million (AU$1 billion) will be invested in the Sydney Metro City and South West project and six new stations will be added on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport line, jointly funded with the national government at a cost of €4.8 billion. The Parramatta Light Rail Transit (LRT) project will receive an additional €121 million for the second phase connecting Parramatta to Sydney Olympic Park, with the first phase connecting Westmead and Carlingford expected to open in 2024. The Fast Rail project was a guideline announced by former premier Gladys Berejiklian in the run-up to the 2019 state election. The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) welcomed NSW's investment in the major rail projects as part of its €43.7 billion commitment to transport infrastructure in the NSW budget.
