Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

Ground broken at future Western Sydney Airport

Airport. Photo: Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said Western Sydney Airport will provide a gateway to the world not only for people, but for freight, as work began at the future site at Badgerys Creek on September 24.

Ground was broken on Western Sydney Airport on Monday, with initial earthworks due to be completed by the end of 2019.

Western Sydney Airport has called for expressions of interest for the first of three major earthworks and airside civil works packages, which is expected to be awarded in mid-2019.

“For half a century Sydneysiders have talked about a second airport. By tomorrow, bulldozers will be moving and work on the Western Sydney Airport will be underway,” Prime Minister Morrison said.

“This airport will remove the handbrake from the Western Sydney economy.

“This is job generating infrastructure. Most times when infrastructure is built, there is job creation in the short-term and then it tails off when the project is completed. But with this project, job creation will accelerate when the airport is completed.”

Finance minister Mathias Cormann said the Government’s investment of up to $5.3 billion in equity in Western Sydney Airport would have long-term economic returns.

“The airport will be at the centre of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, which will be a global hub of innovation for sectors including defence and aerospace, freight and logistics, agribusiness, pharmaceutical and biotech industries,” Cormann said.

“We have already seen industry leaders Qantas and Virgin commit to being at the airport from the day of opening and significant investment from the defence and science sectors committed.”

Cities minister Alan Tudge, said the project would helpcreate a prosperous and sustainable future for the people of Western Sydney.

“The airport is already driving further investment in the region, including billions of dollars of Commonwealth and NSW Government investment in road and rail connections, including the M12 motorway and North-South Rail Link,” he said.

“The rail link is part of the historic Western Sydney City Deal, a 20-year agreement that will make the region around the airport a better place to live, with better transport, education, liveability and job creation.”