Badgerys Creek Update - What's new?

27 June, 2017

The Blue Swan Daily has kindly rounded up all the latest news and information related to Sydney's proposed second airport at Badgerys Creek.

Badgerys Creek background - In case you have been living under a rock

Opening in 2026, Western Sydney Airport will be a full-service domestic and international airport with a single runway and capacity for up to 10 million passengers annually. The Australian Government announced in the 2017 Budget that it will invest up to AUD5.3 billion in equity in the airport through WSA Co.

NSW Government Budget: Transport and infrastructure

The NSW Government released its 2017/18 Budget last week which included some pretty important funding for tourism and infrastructure. Public transport was a key focus for the Budget but rather than introducing new ideas, previously announced projects such as the second stage of the new metro train line and light rail services, dominated announcements.

The government will spend AUD658 million this year on 24 suburban trains, the purchase of which was announced in Jun-2016. The total cost of the trains is estimated at AUD1 billion, and their delivery due to be completed by 2019. Interestingly though, no mention of a direct rail network to support the Western Sydney Airport was included.

In fact, the only mention of Badgerys Creek was part of the roads budget, with AUD650 million going towards upgrades to roads and bus transport around the new airport.

Industry lining up for Western Sydney Airport - Key functional specifications

Australia's Federal Government launched a tender process for the airport's development project with an information session on 26-Jun-2017, to reveal the key functional specifications. Around 250 companies expressed interest in the tender. Key specifications for Stage 1 include:

  • A 65,000sqm integrated international and domestic terminal capable of handling 10 million passengers p/a;
  • A 3700m x 60m runway;
  • A full length parallel taxiway with two sets of rapid exit taxiways at each direction of the runway and 90 degree intersection exits;
  • Apron facilities capable of handling regional jets and turboprops up to widebodies.

The most prominent construction project in Australia for some time

Australia's Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher stated Western Sydney Airport is expected to generate 20,000 jobs by the early 2030s. Western Sydney Airport will be among the most prominent construction projects in the country over coming years. The project will attract market-leading construction and services companies wishing to be part of developing a world-class airport.

Calls for Western Sydney Airport Forum to include more communities

Australia Labor Party Federal Member for Granyndler Anthony Albanese urged the government to expand Western Sydney Airport's Forum to include the Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman, as well as the Member for Lindsay Emma Husar. Mr Albanese stated the addition of Ms Husar and Ms Templeman would ensure the communities around Penrith and the Blue Mountains could channel their feedback on issues relating to the project.

Jetstar warns of both a lack of and overpriced infrastructure, welcomes Western Sydney Airport

Jetstar Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka warned of both a lack of and the impact of overpriced infrastructure throughout Australia. Ms Hrdlicka stated: "Australia needs quality and affordable tourism infrastructure like hotels, attractions or we risk falling behind. We cannot just rely on our natural attractions to help us win over the next 20 years. The second airport in Sydney is a real positive and we think they could look at Melbourne's second airport at Avalon for some inspiration. It's important that the new airport is purpose built and not gold plated as it is likely to be catering for low fares airlines in its first 10 years of operation, much like how Stansted and Luton airports cater for London's low fares flights and Heathrow focuses on the full service airlines. We also have continued to see airport fees and charges increase while airlines are offering fares at levels significantly cheaper than they were over a decade ago".