The Turnbull and Berejiklian governments have agreed to build a railway to Western Sydney Airport, with a “joint objective” to deliver it before opening day in 2026.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian met the press on Sunday, March 4, to announce their governments will each fund 50% of the North-South Rail Line project.
With an estimated price tag of roughly $7 billion, the proposed railway will link the existing network at St Marys – on the T1 Western Line – to Badgerys Creek, via the nearby site of the future airport.
The sides have committed $50 million each to get the ball rolling on a business case for the project.
The rail project is the centrepiece of a newly-inked Western Sydney City Deal, which is signed between the Turnbull and Berejiklian governments and eight councils. The plan aims to develop an ‘Aerotropolis’, to serve as the core of the future Western Parklands City outlined in the recent ‘Three Cities’ report from the Greater Sydney Commission.
The City Deal includes the setting up of an Aerotropolis Development Authority with NSW and Commonwealth representation to enable development.
“This rail line will be truly city-shaping; linking communities, building new ones and connecting Western Sydney’s residents to the countless job opportunities that will flow from that investment,” Turnbull said.
“Our joint aim is to have the rail line connected to the airport in time for its opening.”
Berejiklian called the City Deal a “once in a generation” opportunity.
“This is about putting Western Sydney on the map globally,” she said. “Companies who already have a foot in New South Wales will want to set up shop right here. Organisations which aren’t yet in Australia will want to set up shop right here.”
The announcement follows years of pressure from community groups, the Greens and the Labor Party for the Liberals – who control both federal and state governments in this case – to commit to build the rail line before the airport opens.
Shadow transport minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the “long overdue” commitment.
“Federal and State Labor have long argued for a Western Sydney Rail Link with a North-South line to boost productivity and improve the quality of life of residents of the region,” he said.
“While it is pleasing the Turnbull and Berejiklian Coalition governments have finally recognised the need to build a line from St Marys to Badgerys Creek via the airport, their plan includes no link from the Macarthur region to the airport and for an extension to Rouse Hill in the north-west.”
Sydney Business Chamber’s David Borger said the signing of the City Deal was “a landmark move” for Western Sydney.
“The commitment to a rail link from day one of the Western Sydney Airport’s operation, plus the decision to establish a development authority will provide the market with the certainty it needs to make significant investment in the region,” Borger, the Chamber’s Western Sydney director, said.
“We can expect major new investment by the private sector on the back of today’s deal being confirmed.
“While investment in the north-south line is welcomed it should not come at the expense of the proposed Metro West. Metro West is needed if we are to truly create the 30-minute city and deal with the massive overcrowding on the Western line.”
Wonderful news!
Does this mean that to travel from Sydney airport to Western Sydney airport by train you would go to Central, catch another train to St Marys, then another train to Badgery’s Creek? Would not extending the line from Leppington make more sense?