Approval by NSW government of plan for A$1.4 billion, 28km orbital railway with 80% in tunnel through north-western suburbs from Westmead under Paramatta and on surface to Carlingford and then underground to Epping and on to Chatswood. Intersections with three existing lines. Construction to commence end-1999 with completion in six years. Dec 1998.   Sydney railway plans include a $130 million eastern suburbs extension with 3 km tunnel from Bondi Junction to Bondi Beach to open in 2002; an Epping to Castle Hill link planned for commissioning in 2010 which is currently the subject of detailed study and should include a 7 km tunnelled section; and an 11 km-long underground link from Hurstville to Strathfield on a north-south alignment to connect five existing railway lines. April 2000. Awaiting go-ahead for the A$1.4 billion, 28-km Parramatta-Chatswood railway with more than 70% of the double track in tunnel with major underground stations at Parramatta and Carlingford, and platforms at Epping. Project completion by 2006. Visit www.transport.nsw.gov.au December 2000.  The New South Wales government awarded a A$850 million contract to a three-company consortium, the Thiess Hochtief Alstom Group, to build the 14 km Chatswood to Epping rail line. The underground line is a section of the Parramatta Rail Link. The Group will be responsible for the design and construction of two tunnels, each 13 km-long, and four stations, and the design, construction and commissioning of track, signal, and communication works for each of the tunnels. Detailed design of the new rail link will commence immediately, construction will start in October this year, and completion is expected in 2007-2008. Bovis Lend Lease will oversee the initial tunnelling, track and station works. Visit www.raillink.nsw.gov.au/default.htm and www.thiess.com.au 27/02.Leica Geosystems' distributor C.R. Kennedy has been appointed sole supplier of surveying equipment for the Chatswood / Paramatta rail link tunnel. The equipment being supplied are top-of-the-range models from the Leica Geosystems Total Stations series, including TCA1101, TCRA1101 and TCA1800 units as well as the Leica DNA03 Precise Digital Level, all of which are being used to help guide the accuracy of the tunnelling between Chatswood and Epping. The main component of the Chatswood to Epping section will be 13 km of twin tunnels, expected to be completed in 2005. Visit www.leica-geosystems.com and www.crkennedy.com.au 04/04.