Sydney Metro said in a statement that it was continuing to work towards the targeted opening date of August 4, which was subject to the operator successfully completing trial running exercises, system performance tests and obtaining final regulatory approvals.
“The final confirmation of the opening date will be given in coming weeks after the operator successfully completes the remaining trial running exercises,” it said.
The agency said Metro Trains Sydney, the private operator of the line, had recently entered into an agreement with Sydney Trains for its rail, fire and emergency unit to provide support in the event of an incident in a metro tunnel, and it was already in effect.
However, a union spokesperson said it was concerned that the contract was for only 12 months, and provided no assurances of permanent funding for the key firefighting capability.
Fire and Rescue NSW, a government agency, said it provided expert advice during an initial consultation process over an emergency management plan. As a result, the metro line’s operator had entered into the agreement with Sydney Trains for its specialist rail and fire unit to provide support in an emergency, it said.
Fire and Rescue NSW workers protest outside state parliament on Thursday.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
A government spokesperson said both it and Sydney Metro would keep on working with the national regulator on the certification of the new metro line.
The firefighters’ union, which has 6000 members across the state, is at loggerheads with the government over a new pay deal after the previous award expired in February.
The government’s offer of a 10.5 per cent wage increase over three years falls well short of the union’s demands for a 20 per cent rise over the same period.
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The indefinite ban on Sydney Metro activities meant more than a dozen firefighters were not expected to attend a major exercise involving a train evacuation at the new Martin Place station on Friday.
A drill to test the evacuation of a train in the event of a fire is also scheduled for next Friday.
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