IN A huge win for many Oran Park and Harrington Park residents, the South West Rail Link extension will go underground from Oran Park through to Narellan.

Camden state Liberal MP Chris Patterson made the announcement this morning at Chesalon Retirement Village, Oran Park, which was facing an unknown future with the corridor cutting through it.

The proposed corridor was announced and placed on public exhibition in June.

The proposal included stations at Rossmore, Bringelly, North Bringelly, Oran Park, Narellan and Badgerys Creek to serve the future airport.

The corridor also cut through Harrington Park.

Landowners in Wildfire formed the Wildfire Estate Residents Action Group to push for the underground option.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance said the announcement was good news for Macarthur region residents.

media_camera Residents at Chesalon Retirement Village celebrate the news with Chris Patterson (front). Picture: Robert Pozo

media_camera Wildfire Estate Residents Action Group convener Clair McEntee. Picture: Robert Pozo

“While construction on a rail line is not expected to start for some years, even decades, we need to do the planning now to make sure we can build this crucial infrastructure more efficiently and cost effectively when it’s needed,” Mr Constance said.

“Earlier this year the NSW Government carried out detailed consultation with the community to help refine corridor options for a future rail extension between Leppington and Narellan.

“While work is still continuing to refine the future corridor, we are pleased to announce that the final recommended corridor will include an underground alignment between Oran Park and north of Narellan.

“This will ensure that the corridor will avoid impacting existing homes in Oran Park the Anglicare aged care facility, Wildfire Estate, and Harrington Park.”

Mr Patterson said a number of concerns were raised by residents during the public consultation period about the corridor running through new homes in the area.

“The communities of Oran Park and Harrington Park are growing rapidly, and I’m pleased the government has agreed to go underground for this part of the corridor preservation,” Mr Patterson said.

“This is a great outcome for these communities and will come as a relief for many new homeowners who are building or have just moved into their homes in the Oran Park and Harrington Park areas.”

More to come.