Member for Epping Greg Smith said today news that part of the Epping to Chatswood rail line would need to be re-laid was the latest saga in yet another transport project bungled on John Watkins’ watch. 

“It is just one bungle after another with this incompetent Iemma Labor Government who simply can't manage to deliver major transport infrastructure and the people of Epping are left to foot the bill,” Mr Smith said.

This news follows Labor’s backtrack on the North-West Rail Link which will see smaller trains and raises questions as to whether the project will ever be realised,” he said.

The Chatswood to Epping line which was supposed to be completed by 2006 and is already running two years late, now delayed until December 2008.

The project is already double the cost for only half the track from Chatswood to Epping, instead of the promised Chatswood to Parramatta route.

Mats connected to the rail tracks and concrete slabs to reduce sound in tunnels and stations have been separated and now need to be replaced.

It was only recently revealed that Tangara trains would be unable to run on the new line because of the unexpected gradient.

"John Watkins now needs to be honest and open with commuters and assure them this latest bungle will not push the completion date back again and force taxpayers to foot the bill for yet another Labor transport bungle,” Mr Smith said.

Sorry saga of the Chatswood to Epping Railway Project

• Chatswood to Parramatta line first promised in 1998 to be operational by 2006;
• 2003 - project cut in half from Chatswood to Parramatta to Chatswood to Epping;
• Aug 06 - budget blow-out from $1.4 billion to $2.28 billion for half the project;
• Dec 07 - engineering problems reveals only the oldest, non air-conditioned carriages can be used on the line until new rolling stock arrives – potentially years away; and,
• Feb 08 - 14km of track needs to be re-laid