The NSW government is asking the Commonwealth for a "significant contribution" to help fund the western Sydney metro but they can build the project without federal cash, the transport minister says.
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Andrew Constance and Premier Gladys Berejiklian last week unveiled the seven station locations for the project, with construction to begin in 2020.
The proposed stations will be at Westmead, Parramatta, Sydney Olympic Park, North Strathfield, Burwood North, Five Dock and the Bays Precinct.
At a budget estimates hearing on Monday, Mr Constance was questioned about the metro project by Labor MP Daniel Mookhey, who said the 2030 finish date was three years behind what the government previously indicated.
"We are working at the moment in terms of the delivery strategy around Metro West - but I said up to 2030," Mr Constance said.
"I actually think that by the time we get the tunnel boring machines back in the ground by 2022, you will see the project - as we're seeing with the city and south-west projects ... being delivered by the mid-to-late 2020s."
The transport minister said the state government had allocated about $6.4 billion in this year's budget, but the final cost would be revealed after they completed the final contract signing.
He said NSW was requesting a "significant contribution" from the federal government.
"This project in terms of Metro West is vital for the city's growth," he said.
"Now, we can go alone without the Commonwealth, if they want to make a contribution, we're hardly going to say no.
"We're asking them for assistance but it's not a do-or-die issue in terms of the delivery of the project."
Mr Constance hadn't seen an estimate for the total number of properties that would be acquired over the duration of the project.
Australian Associated Press
