The New South Wales government is "openly canvassing the possibility of a new metro rail line through Sydney Olympic Park to help support major expansion of new housing and commercial development in the area," according to Jacob Saulwick of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Sports Minister Stuart Ayres released an "updated masterplan for the former Olympics precinct on Monday," which includes new proposals for 45-story towers in the area. But the masterplan, "which is now open to community consultation, does not include firm details about when and where new rail connections through the area will be built." Government planners were reportedly "working on a potential metro rail line from the city to Parramatta, with stops likely to be included at Olympic Park and the Bays Precinct around Rozelle." As part of that plan, "a proposed light rail link from Parramatta to Strathfield through Olympic Park was likely to be scaled back" (SMH, 10/10). ABC NEWS reported up to 10,000 new homes "are set to be built at Sydney Olympic Park." Ayres said that the project "would transform the area into a vibrant community." He said, "Sydney Olympic Park will be buzzing with world-class sporting events, concerts and entertainment, amid lively streets bustling with shops, cafes, with extensive parks, open space and shared pathways for cycling and walking" (ABC NEWS, 10/9).
