Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

Construction on Western Sydney Airport will begin today – boosting jobs, creating much-needed infrastructure and strengthening the economy. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the Western Sydney Airport will provide a gateway to the world, not just for people but for job-producing freight as well.

“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,” the Prime Minister 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.” 

The Prime Minister said the Government had achieved all the approvals over the last four years and congratulated Western Sydney Airport Company, which it established to make the airport at Badgerys Creek a reality.

Minister for Finance and the Public Service, Senator Mathias Cormann said the Government’s investment of up to $5.3 billion in equity in Western Sydney Airport will 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,” Minister 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 already committed.” 

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population, Alan Tudge, said the project is not just about building an airport, but about bringing jobs, education, industry and innovation together to create a prosperous and sustainable future for the people of Western Sydney. 

“Western Sydney Airport is all about boosting jobs, busting congestion and bringing opportunities to the region,” Minister Tudge said. 

“Around 11,000 jobs will be created during the construction phase and around 28,000 within five years of opening. 

“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. 

“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. 

“Through the City Deal, all levels of government are working together to deliver a modern and vibrant Western Parkland City, an employment-generating Aerotropolis, and congestion-busting road and rail infrastructure, all of which will enhance liveability for people in Western Sydney.” 

Western Sydney Airport will cater for up to 10 million passengers when it opens, but a gradual expansion to two runways means it will eventually cater for up to 82 million passengers, the size of London Heathrow and JFK in New York. 

Initial earthworks are 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. 

FAST FACTS:

• The initial earthworks phase of the project involves moving 1.8 million m³ of earth to level the site.
• There is currently around 40 metres between the lowest and highest points on the site, the equivalent of a 12-storey building.
• Major earthworks are due to start in 2019 and will involve moving 22 million m³ of spoil on the site.
• Workforce targets:
  • 30 per cent local workforce during construction
  • 50 per cent local workforce when fully operational
  • 10 per cent diversity target including 2.4 per cent indigenous workforce
  • 20 per cent learning workforce including apprentices, graduates and trainees