Almost two years ago,Transport Minister Andrew Constance said he was on the second stage of the line from Rydalmere to Olympic Park before 2020.
But on Tuesday,Mr Constance said the government did not have a timeframe for the beginning of works on the stage,saying its focus was on the first part of the project and a
Transport Minister Andrew Constance and Premier Gladys Berejiklian inspect the first tram to reach Circular Quay,the northern end of a new light rail line from the CBD to Sydney's south east.AAP
"Our focus at the moment ... is getting Parramatta stage one under way in terms of its build and at the same time Metro West,which is the game changer for western Sydney in terms of having a direct train line to benefit three million people,"he said.
"We are going to look at all options in relation to the best way to build the transport network there,and that includes looking at the longer term in relation to Parramatta stage two."
David Borger,the Sydney Business Chamber's western Sydney director,said businesses had expected greater progress by now.
"We are getting towards the end of the year and the project has not been approved yet. It is absolutely critical businesses have certainty about Parramatta light rail stage two,"he said.
An artist's impression of the Parramatta light rail project. The first stage is due to open in 2023.Transport for NSW
"Without light rail going through Olympic Park,we are going to leave those communities stranded – they will be waiting at bus stops in their thousands."
Rick Graf,a director at property developer Billbergia,said communities along the proposed route were dependent on its completion to ensure they could grow.
"We eagerly await advice from the government on the timing for delivery of the Parramatta light rail stage two,"he said."We would be only too pleased to get the opportunity to collaborate with government to assist in meeting budgets and ... timing[of construction]."
The government named in 2017 its preferred route of the from Rydalmere to Olympic Park via Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.
Major construction of the – which has been budgeted to cost $2.4 billion − is due to start later this year.
In December,the major contract for construction of the first stage was awarded to a joint venture of Downer and CPB Contractors. Trams are due to start running in 2023 along the first part of the route,which will.
The government has said it will not reveal the final budget for the 9-kilometre second stage until contracts are awarded. However,a in 2016 estimated the cost of the entire line at more than $3.5 billion.