Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is entering a monumental new phase today as major earthworks commence.

The new phase will lead to construction of the terminal, runway and all airport infrastructure, and pave the way for thousands of local jobs.

It also signals that the Morrison Government's $5.3 billion Western Sydney International is on track to commence operations in 2026.

The scale of the earthworks equate to over 10,000 Olympic swimming pools worth of earth being moved over the site with 12 storeys difference in height from top to bottom.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the commencement of major earthworks was yet another milestone in the construction of a new airport for Western Sydney.

“We are getting on with the job of providing an airport for the people of Western Sydney that will enable them to continue to secure their economic future,” the Prime Minister said.

“Undertaking major earthworks will be a mammoth task, with 25 million cubic metres of earth to be moved, laying the platform for the construction of the runway, roads and terminal. 

“This phase of airport construction will continue to provide a huge boost to jobs and economic activity for the Western Sydney community.

“We never underestimated the task of building this airport after generations of delay, and we remain committed to Western Sydney and getting it done.”

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said the Western Sydney Airport is getting on with delivering vital infrastructure to unleash the economic powerhouse of the region.

“Hundreds of workers and more than 200 pieces of earthmoving machinery will soon be on site, getting on with one of Australia’s largest earthmoving projects,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said this was a key step in the construction of the once-in-a-lifetime infrastructure project which will transform Western Sydney.

“The Airport and the surrounding aerotropolis will multiply job and economic benefits by attracting business and industry to the region,” Minister Cormann said.

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said as major earthworks ramped up so would the number of jobs opportunities closer to home for Western Sydney locals.

“The jobs generated by the airport means thousands of local people, won’t have to travel in peak hour traffic to the other side of Sydney – or further – for work each day,” Minister Tudge said.

Senator for Western Sydney, Minister Marise Payne, said the airport would drive job creation.

“The airport will support thousands of jobs during the construction phase, with many more to follow after it is operational. This means new and diverse job opportunities for locals right on their doorstep,” Senator Payne said.

Member for Hume Angus Taylor said it was great to see targets for local job numbers being exceeded.

“The construction phase of the project has local job targets of 30 per cent. It’s great to see the Western Sydney Airport exceeding this target, generating employment for Western Sydney locals”.

Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh said by 2026 over 28,000 direct and indirect jobs would be created by the Western Sydney Airport.

“We’re looking at the jobs of the future coming into Western Sydney with advanced manufacturing and export opportunities,” Ms McIntosh said.

“The technical challenge ahead with the scale of earthworks will be a great learning opportunity for workers and apprentices in Western Sydney. 

“This is a momentous start for construction so we’re ready for the airport in 2026.”