Western Sydney Airport: Why we should build a second runway now

Building a second runway at the new Western Sydney Airport now, rather than after 2050, could save up to $2 billion and create thousands more jobs.

Building a second runway at the new Western Sydney Airport now while diggers are on site rather than after 2050 could save up to $2 billion and create thousands more jobs.

The project is just one of a list of stalled major projects in Western Sydney that a summit of industry and political leaders will be told on Wednesday could reignite the state’s COVID hit economy.

“Why put off until tomorrow what we need today – a recession busting infrastructure program that will kick start the state,” Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chairman Christopher Brown said.

Reactivating stalled projects in Western Sydney could reignite the NSW economy and deliver thousands of jobs, a summit of 300 industry and political leaders will hear on Wednesday.

Western Sydney Airport terminal designs.

“We have got the biggest earth moving project infrastructure at Badgerys Creek at the moment and we are only doing half the job. Let’s build the second runway now.

“Lets get tradies back to work and future proof the airport in the spirit of Bradfield who built an eight lane bridge when there were hardly any cars to use it.”

Mr Brown said that building the second runway now would save $2 billion and prevent a great deal of community anguish in 30 years time. “We saw how that played out at Mascot,” he said. “Let’s for once do the job properly.”

Other projects to be outlined at the annual Boomtown summit at the International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour include a new Aboriginal Art Gallery at Parramatta Gaol and an electric bus manufacturing plant.

The Badgery's Creek construction site of the Western Sydney Airport. Picture: John Appleyard

Earth moving equipment at the Badgerys Creek construction site. Jane Dempster

The summit will be attended by Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who announced plans for an entirely electric bus fleet by 2030.

“We need to take up that challenge - unions, bosses and the government working together to remind people that we can build things and what better way to do that than build the fleet of electric buses that will dominate the region,” Mr Brown said.

Major infrastructure projects could also drive jobs with work on the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport Line from St Marys to Bringelly starting work this year. Mr Brown said that should be extended to Glenfield to boost growth in Liverpool and Campbelltown.

He also called for plans for a fast rail link between Newcastle and Canberra to pass through Olympic Park as part of plans to reactivate the area.

Originally published as Western Sydney Airport: Why we should build a second runway now