The Federal and NSW Liberals have vowed to build a rail line to Western Sydney Airport before it opens in 2026, committing a combined $5.5 billion to the project.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who must call a federal election by May 18, on Monday said the Federal Government would commit $3.5 billion to building a north-south railway in Sydney’s west, connecting the Western Sydney International Airport to the city’s rail network.
He said a matching $3.5 billion from the state would make the project a reality.
For her part, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who faces a state election on March 23, said the NSW Liberals could would spend more than $2 billion on the project over the next four years.
“Working together our governments are going to get this done,” the Prime Minister said.
“For years people have talked about backing the Western Sydney International Airport. For years people have promised more rail links in the western suburbs. We’re going to deliver both.”
Morrison said the Liberal Party had created a strong economy at both federal and state levels, allowing governments to make record infrastructure investments in Western Sydney.
He said this differed from the Labor Party, “who would need to prop up their Budget with $200 billion of higher taxes on housing, retirees, incomes, electricity and small and family businesses”.
Federal cities minister Alan Tudge said the construction of a new rail line would bring together rail, road and airport infrastructure in time for the commencement of operations at the airport.
“This will provide a crucial north-south rail connection for the people of Western Sydney and create a new way of travel for the community,” Tudge said. “It will contribute to the success of the airport and the businesses in the Aerotropolis in helping to bring Western Sydney to the world.”
A business case for the project is being jointly funded by the Federal and NSW governments and is expected to be delivered to the Australian and NSW governments by the end of this year.
Berejiklian said the plan was for construction on the rail line to begin in 2021.
“The North South Rail Line will run from St Marys through to the Airport, connecting Sydney in a way that has never happened before,” the premier said.
State transport and infrastructure minister Andrew Constance said the Labor Party couldn’t be trusted to build the project.
“During its time in office Labor promised 12 rail lines, but did not deliver a single one in full,” Constance said. “This Government has a track record of delivering. The Metro Northwest rail line is due to open within months, while tunnelling is underway on the Metro City & South West projects.”