Stabling Yard at Emu Plains

Project determination

Following consideration of the Review of Environmental Factors and Submissions Report the Emu Plains Stabling Project was approved on 2 March 2011.

We would like to thank the community for their submissions during the assessment process.

The feedback and issues raised have been incorporated into the Conditions of Approval. All works for the Emu Plains Stabling Project will be undertaken in accordance with the Conditions of Approval and any additional requirements set by other determining Authorities.

The Conditions of Approval include stringent monitoring and compliance requirements for Novo Rail to abide by in order to manage the impact of the construction on the community, during the construction phase of the project as well as during the operation of the stabling yard. The Conditions of Approval also provide clear guidance on the processes required for community liaison and environmental management.

Next steps

Novo Rail is establishing a Community Liaison Group to provide the community with direct input into the project during the construction phase and the start of operations of the stabling yard.

Project benefits

In January 2010, the New South Wales Government announced the start of detailed environmental studies as part of a proposed $182 million project to construct a new train stabling facility near Emu Plains Station.

The new stabling yard, if constructed, would:

• replace the current Penrith stabling yard, which is at capacity
• improve service frequencies for Emu Plains customers
• allow additional peak services on the Western Line
• support the move to an all eight-car train fleet
• support the new generation Waratah trains, providing capacity for future service growth
• include a new platform at Emu Plains Station and modernised signalling between Emu Plains and Penrith to enhance train safety and reliability.

The project would be designed and constructed under the management of Novo Rail. Novo Rail is an alliance of RailCorp partnering with the private sector to deliver a major program of infrastructure work, worth more than $1 billion dollars across Sydney's rail network.

The site being considered for the proposed stabling yard is a 1,200-metre strip of land on the northern side of the railway line to the west of Emu Plains Station. Most of this land is within the existing railway corridor.

Up to 22 eight-car trains could be stabled at the proposed Emu Plains site. Trains would depart from the facility in the lead-up to the morning and evening peaks, and return at the conclusion of timetabled services. The stabling yard would operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week and would consist of:

• rail infrastructure (tracks, overhead wiring and support structures)
• train operations
• amenities for train crews
• security structures (fences, gates, and CCTV)
• communications and emergency equipment
• staff car parking.

The project is part of a broader RailCorp strategy to replace, upgrade and build additional stabling facilities across the CityRail network, as more trains with eight carriages are introduced into the CityRail network, increasing the network's overall capacity.

Review of environmental factors

Submissions report

Appendices

View appendices.

More information

View the community brochure (PDF, 350KB)

Contact us

For further information about the project please call the project information line on 1800 614 200.