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Tram testing is ramping up in the CBD – and will soon begin for the first time in Kingsford and Kensington – as Sydney counts down for the commencement of commuter services in December.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Minister for Transport Andrew Constance, NSW Police and the NRMA today reminded road users to be alert around the new light rail corridor as testing steps up.
“As we get ready for services to start in December, Sydneysiders will see more trams every day. Driver training extends into the CBD this week and there will be up to 12 trams out testing day and night, seven days a week,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m also pleased to confirm that trams will soon start testing in Kingsford and Kensington.
“It’s an exciting time for Sydney as the countdown begins to the first passenger services from Randwick to Circular Quay, but it’s also a timely reminder for pedestrians and drivers to be vigilant.”
Mr Constance said new safety videos, launched today by Transport for NSW, will remind drivers to be aware around the light rail as part of the “Heads Up, Play It Safe around Light Rail” campaign.
“We have a number of busy intersections along the light rail route, particularly in the CBD, such as George and Bathurst streets. We remind drivers not to queue across these intersections and always follow traffic signals,” Mr Constance said.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians have mistakenly entered the tram corridor at busy intersections, including those around Pitt Street and Eddy Avenue at Central, and at Devonshire and Bourke streets in Surry Hills.
“We know people are getting used to having trams around, but we really need everyone to be mindful of the tram corridor when turning at intersections, and if you end up on the tracks, drive or ride carefully to the next cross street and exit safety,” Mr Constance said.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy reminded drivers they must stay off the cement tram corridor and stick to the asphalt roads.
“Drivers and operators of heavy vehicles must follow the new traffic signals and always stop on the red. Never turn in front of a tram and do not queue across intersections. Food delivery operators and couriers are also reminded to not ride in the tram corridor,” Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
“The message for all road users is the same; ditch the distraction, follow the road rules and pay attention.”
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said pedestrians also need to change their behaviour.
“The NRMA report released in July, Look Up, found over one third of pedestrians crossed busy intersections while distracted by their smartphones or wearing earphones,” Mr Khoury said.
“Taking this sort of risk around the new Light Rail can have devastating consequences. Trams are quiet and too many pedestrians have yet to adjust their behavior around this new mode of transport in the heart of Sydney – this needs to change now.”

Environment Minister Matt Kean was pleased to release the annual State of the Beaches report which has returned great results for beaches across the NSW.
Minister Kean said 2019 is one of the cleanest years of recreational water quality on record since monitoring began in 1989.
“Clean beaches are great news for the community and encourage more people to get out and about as we head into the start of the swimming season,” Mr Kean said.
“This year, 86 per cent of the State’s swimming sites are rated ‘very good’ or ‘good’ which is a significant achievement and great news as we head into beach season.
“Estuarine swimming sites have never been this clean, with a record breaking 82 per cent listed as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.
“This is in addition to the 98 per cent of ocean beaches shown to be clean and safe, as were four of the five ocean baths.”
Mr Kean said that while these figures are welcome, they also show there is still work to do.
According to the report, coastal lakes, lagoons and estuarine swimming spots were adversely affected by heavy rain, with the number of clean lake and lagoon swimming sites declining.
Lower levels of flushing in coastal lakes, lagoons and estuaries means these swimming sites take longer to recover from stormwater events.
The NSW Government committed $500,000 to address water quality at Terrigal Beach and surrounding lagoons, and $200,000 to establish an expert panel to determine the best way to improve water quality in Tuggerah Lakes.
“Terrigal Beach has already shown signs of improvement, having been upgraded to good, from a poor grade last year, which clearly demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the environment,” Mr Kean said.

Environment Minister Matt Kean was pleased to release the annual State of the Beaches report which has returned great results for beaches across the NSW.
Minister Kean said 2019 is one of the cleanest years of recreational water quality on record since monitoring began in 1989.
“Clean beaches are great news for the community and encourage more people to get out and about as we head into the start of the swimming season,” Mr Kean said.
“This year, 86 per cent of the State’s swimming sites are rated ‘very good’ or ‘good’ which is a significant achievement and great news as we head into beach season.
“Estuarine swimming sites have never been this clean, with a record breaking 82 per cent listed as ‘very good’ or ‘good’.
“This is in addition to the 98 per cent of ocean beaches shown to be clean and safe, as were four of the five ocean baths.”
Mr Kean said that while these figures are welcome, they also show there is still work to do.
According to the report, coastal lakes, lagoons and estuarine swimming spots were adversely affected by heavy rain, with the number of clean lake and lagoon swimming sites declining.
Lower levels of flushing in coastal lakes, lagoons and estuaries means these swimming sites take longer to recover from stormwater events.
The NSW Government committed $500,000 to address water quality at Terrigal Beach and surrounding lagoons, and $200,000 to establish an expert panel to determine the best way to improve water quality in Tuggerah Lakes.
“Terrigal Beach has already shown signs of improvement, having been upgraded to good, from a poor grade last year, which clearly demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to improving the environment,” Mr Kean said.

Pyrmont and the Western Harbour precinct will be transformed into the next jobs hub and economic driver of Sydney under a NSW Government plan to revitalise the key inner-city precinct.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian made the announcement following the release of the Greater Sydney Commission’s (GSC) review into the area’s planning rules.
“Today we are sending a clear message that Pyrmont is open for business and ready to be taken to the next level,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are, for the first time, treating Pyrmont and the Western Harbour precinct as the gateway to the CBD.
“For our city and State to continue to be the jobs capital of the nation, we need this area to be revitalised. We have successfully transformed Barangaroo into a spectacular waterfront precinct and are in the midst of revitalising Central.
“Pyrmont is the next frontier.”
Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes said the NSW Government would immediately move to amend the planning controls with a focus on jobs and economic activity to better support proposals to develop the area.
“We can support larger-scale development and maintain the unique heritage nature of Pyrmont – it’s not an ‘either/or’ choice,” Mr Stokes said.
“However, we must plan for the precinct strategically, rather than on a site-by-site basis, to ensure the long-term liveabilty and sustainability of the area.”
The NSW Government will fast-track work to investigate the feasibility of building a Metro station in Pyrmont to support greater density and jobs in the area.
Mr Stokes said the Government would also ensure there is greater coordination of large scale developments in Pyrmont, including the Powerhouse, Bays Precinct, Harbourside Shopping Centre, University of Technology Sydney expansion, the Star casino and the existing and future Fish Market sites.
“This is our opportunity to work together to develop a vision and collaboratively plan for the future of Pyrmont, which hasn’t been done in more than 20 years,” Mr Stokes said.
“This is a prime jobs and tourism precinct on the fringe of the CBD which will become increasingly important as our city grows.”
The NSW Government has accepted the three key recommendations of the GSC report, which can be found here: www.greater.sydney/project/pyrmont-planning-review

A 30 tonne beam has been craned into place completing the final bridge on the new M5 project – the Super-T girder is the finishing touch on the new Gardeners Road bridge across the Alexandra Canal.
Minister for Roads Andrew Constance said the bridge would provide drivers with a direct link between Gardeners Road, Mascot and the St Peters Interchange.
“After more than 80 years, the community around St Peters and Mascot will soon have access to two new connections across the Alexandra Canal,” Mr Constance said.
“The Gardeners Road bridges are an important connection and will help alleviate congestion on local roads. They’ll also allow drivers to directly connect to the New M5 and M4-M5 Link Tunnels from Mascot via the St Peters Interchange.”
Mr Constance said the completion of the ten bridge structures was a significant milestone for the project and had also provided an economic boost to regional communities.
“The bridge pieces, including the 17 metre-long T-shaped ‘Super T’s’, were made at the Hunter and Coffs Harbour precast yards and all materials were locally supplied,” Mr Constance said.
“Production of these segments helped to create around 200 jobs over the past two years in regional communities stretching all the way to the mid-coast.
“Work on site has now turned to the construction of a major retaining wall within St Peters Interchange to help create the six hectares of new open space being delivered as part of the New M5.”
Drivers will be able to test out the bridges when the New M5 opens in 2020.
WestConnex is being delivered in four major stages, including the New M4 (now open), the New M5, opening in 2020 and the M4-M5 Link, opening in 2023.
When complete, WestConnex will provide drivers with a 33km, traffic-light free network.