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With the opening of the new Sydney Metro line (and several more in construction), the new Light Rail Line 4 in Parramatta, and the well-established Sydney trains, Sydney Ferries and Motorways network, commuters have multiple credible options to get where they need to go, and alternatives when their preferred mode is unavailable. Yes, it is frustrating (and daily news fodder), when a mode has delays or cancellations, but Sydneysiders do not know how good they have it! Having recently moved to Austin, Texas, the contrast is stark. Texans love their cars, and I get that because I love the convenience and expedience of driving too. Austin is a really cool and ascending city, but where we live there are zero public transport options that do not involve a car. The roads here are wide and ample, and the city continues to build new roads and upgrade the existing at a rapid rate. Even in the couple of months I have been here, the pace of the Highway 291 construction is impressively fast! Encouragingly there is a new light rail in the preliminary stages of delivery, the established CAP metro buses, and Metrorail. However, Austin is a sprawling city of $1M residents, with a metro population of $2.3M residents, and sadly the public transport coverage has not kept up. I am heartened to see real progress and I hope the trend in new transport infrastructure projects continues. People’s lives are truly improved when they are better connected. It is not about getting rid of all the cars, rather we need to provide reliable alternative options for people to get places. Tragically, increased accidents and fatalities are a consequence of increased road use. In the last week alone there have been two fatal crashes in our area, and hardly a day goes by where I do not see a multi-vehicle crash on the roads. Austin has also previously held the unenviable annual record in the US for the highest proportion of non-vehicle occupant accidents (where 46.9% of accidents involved people outside of the vehicle). According to a study by APTA “Cities that make public transportation use a higher priority could reduce traffic fatalities by up to 40%”. Now, I am not claiming public transport is the silver bullet, or we would achieve those numbers in the short-term, but any reduction in traffic crashes and fatalities through better public transport should be welcomed by all.

How can we transform Major rail Infrastructure delivery? "Systems Thinking" is the way!

I’m really excited to share that I’m starting a new position as Vice President Program Management at Accenture!

Today is my last day with Transport for NSW, and what a journey it’s been over the last 7 years! Delivering mega projects is tough, and there have been many challenges along the way. I’m so proud to have been part of the team that delivered Sydney Metro, and as a daily user of the service, it really is a game changer for Sydney. To then be given the opportunity to lead the Parramatta Light Rail project from construction to completion has been incredible; what a way to finish 2024! To those that trusted and believed in me, thank you for the opportunities, counsel and mentorship: Hugh Lawson, Tim Parker, Daniel Powrie, Anand Thomas, Glen Mace, Camilla Drover B Eng MAICD, Howard Collins, OBE, Josh Murray. To the PLR family, you have been the most dedicated and professional team I have ever worked with, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all kicking goals on stage 2! To the people I would always want beside me in the trenches: Stephen Allday, Gabriel Gonzalez, Mark Taylor, Stuart Tweedie, Gareth Miles Harrison, Kate Ford, Adam Paterson, Mike Polich, Angela Farrell, Margaret Campbell, Susan Bentley, Louise. I know we will all cross project paths again in the future! Next up for me, a short break with my family and then on to an amazing new adventure in Austin, Texas. 2025 is going to be another epic year!

A 3.30am start today, but what a way to kick off the day! Parramatta light rail is open! So excited to welcome everybody on board the first Ligh Rail Vehicle, departing carlingford at 5am. It was packed! Huge thanks to everybody who made this very challenging project a success!

I can finally answer my most asked question of the year: “When is Parramatta Light Rail opening?” 🚋 Ding Ding! I’m excited to announce that Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 will open its doors to passengers this Friday, 20th December. Having led this project since 2021, it has been quite a journey, particularly as we reached the pointy end of delivery this year. We have faced many challenges and setbacks along the way, but I’m proud of my amazing team for their determination and resilience in getting Parramatta Light Rail across the line and delivered in time for Christmas! Of course, a big thank you to our delivery partners at Great River City Light Rail and teams across Transport for NSW for getting us ready to deliver a safe and reliable light rail service for the people of Parramatta. I cannot wait to jump onboard on Friday with the team and community!