Fair Go For The West: Turnbull commits to Badgerys Creek Airport fast rail network
MALCOLM Turnbull will today commit the federal government to support the construction a high-speed rail link from the new airport in Western Sydney into the city.
AUSTRALIA’S biggest economic growth region has been given a massive boost, with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull committing the federal government to constructing a high-speed Western Sydney rail link to connect the city with the second airport at Badgerys Creek.
The Prime Minister has confirmed, for the first time, the federal government will take the lead role in constructing a train line that would service not only the new airport but double as a new commuter service for Western Sydney.
Mr Turnbull has also asked planners to provide options to ensure the rail link can be in service by the time the airport opens in 2026.
The PM said that in discussions with major international airlines the commitment to a rail line was critical to attracting carriers to the airport.
Despite traffic forecasts suggesting a rail line would not be needed to the airport until 2040, Mr Turnbull has told infrastructure planners he wants it operational as close to the airport’s opening as possible.
In an infrastructure speech to be given today in Sydney, Mr Turnbull will confirm he will make a personal commitment to get the Badgerys Creek rail line built.
Mr Turnbull has told colleagues he now wants the federal government to take the lead role in a partnership with the NSW government to lock in the rail links.
It was former PM Tony Abbott and his treasurer Joe Hockey who were instrumental in breaking the 30-year deadlock to finally get approval for the new Western Sydney Airport to be built.
“We are committed to the Western Sydney Airport, one of the most significant pieces of infrastructure that will ever be built here,” Mr Turnbull will say in his speech.
“In the longer term there is no question that for the Western Sydney Airport to be successful and world class, as it must be, it will need transport connections to the rest of the city and region.”
Private sector investors have already expressed interest in the project, with a proposal submitted in January that would offer a 34-minute journey between the CBD and the new airport.
“Under the $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, jointly funded by my government and the NSW government, it will be well connected by roads when it opens,” Mr Turnbull will say.
“But roads are not enough. World class airports share a common ingredient: fast and convenient public transport.
“Just last week Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said the airline would not use the new airport because it lacked high-speed public transport links.
“We have been advised that current traffic forecasts for the airport would not by themselves justify a dedicated rail link until the 2040s.
“Neither the Australian nor the NSW government can commit today to completing a rail connection by 2026, there is too little known about the route, the cost, the value created and the sources of funding.
“So we will ask the question: What do we need to do to get rail there by the time the airport opens in 2026? Or if not, how soon afterwards?
“We know a rail link won’t only service airport passengers — the people of Western Sydney will also benefit.’’
ALL ABOARD THE METRO LINE TO LIVERPOOL
Jim O’Rourke
IN a massive win for Western Sydney and The Daily Telegraph’s Fair Go For The West campaign, the region is now on the verge of having not just one brand new rail link to the city — but two.
The Baird government today begins a formal study into extending its $10 billion Sydney Metro line out to Liverpool, and possibly as far as Badgerys Creek.
Premier Mike Baird and Transport Minister Andrew Constance have ordered an investigation into improving transport connections between Bankstown and Liverpool, including lengthening the new driverless train network.
The high-frequency “turn up and go” Sydney Metro service is already planned to run to Bankstown, but local government, business and community organisations in the city’s southwest are pushing for it to be extended to Liverpool, and then, in the future, on to Sydney’s second airport at Badgerys Creek.
The first stage of the line — Sydney Metro Northwest — is now being built between Rouse Hill and Chatswood, and the go-ahead for Sydney Metro City, which includes a new rail crossing under Sydney Harbour and new underground stations in the CBD, has been given a tick by the government. Sydney Metro Southwest, an upgrade of the exiting line between Sydenham and Bankstown, is in the planing stages
“The first stage of Metro in the northwest will open in 2019, the city and southwest is due to open in 2024, and it is important to see what options lie beyond that,” Mr Constance said yesterday.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the government should move quickly to confirm the extension.
“I am asking the government that when it builds the Metro to Bankstown, ‘don’t stop and bring it to Liverpool as part of the one project’.”
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chairman Christopher Brown has previously backed the extension, saying the next stop should be Badgerys Creek.
FRANK’S GOT GROUNDS FOR CONFIDENCE
Jim O’Rourke
SYDNEY’S southwest has launched a massive campaign to attract billions of dollars in investment in a bold bid to create more jobs, attract more residents and build more infrastructure for the region.
Liverpool Council and the Committee for Liverpool will today release a prospectus that aims to create a “Great South West” region with
$21 billion of major infrastructure and residential projects due to get under way. This includes the new Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, a new campus of Western Sydney University, $3.5 billion in new roads and 4500 hectares of land ready for business and industrial use.
Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said more than $650 million worth of developments were flagged for the city centre alone.
“We are rebranding the region The Great South West. This is the place to watch,” Mr Mannoun said.
“Staff have less travel to work, cost of living is less, rents are cheaper and you will be bang in the middle between both airports.”
Premier Mike Baird predicts Liverpool will have a “rising trajectory” due to being at the centre of one of the country’s leading economies.
Frank Angilletta, owner of the popular Ristretto & Co cafe in Liverpool, said: “There is a real sense of optimism among the local business community.
“The new infrastructure is causing a lot of excitement, and if more investment can be generated, then that will be great.”
Join the conversation
Nepean riverfront project boon
PENRITH Council has been handed more money to beautify an area overlooking the Nepean River — in time for its inaugural river festival.
Read more
Job growth on north-south tracks
EARLY figures commissioned by the Western Sydney Rail Alliance show nearly 165,000 Western Sydney jobs could be created by a north-south rail link to the future Badgerys Creek airport.
Read more