Aerotropolis delays could mean jobs and cash pipeline for Western Sydney businesses dries up

The construction of Western Sydney Airport has resulted in more than $500m flowing to businesses in the region, but the pipeline of jobs and cash could be in danger if one major issue remains unsolved.

More than $500 million has been spent with Western Sydney businesses since work on the airport began but the pipeline of jobs and cash is in danger of drying up.

Work on the giant aerotropolis remains mired in red tape and construction firms are looking to the housing sector rather than constructing the new Bradfield City when work on Western Sydney Airport winds up in 2026.

Plant hire owner Eamon O’Neill said his business had grown from 42 staff to 70 with the work on the new airport with more than 25 major machines working on the site.

But once work on the airport is finished there is no work planned for the aerotropolis.

“We were working on the M7 before this and once it is over we will look to move back into the residential market with all the new houses Sydney needs building,” he said.

Western Sydney International Airport chief executive Simon Hickey said the airport had created new jobs for local people and pumped millions into the Western Sydney economy.

Local business owner Eamon O’Neill, who has supplied heavy earth works vehicles. Behind Eamon is the view south with the airport runway running south west (right to left in the photo) toward where the main airport terminals are being built. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Currently there are more than 4000 people working on site during peak construction,” he said. “Half of the project’s workforce lives in Western Sydney and around a third are learning new skills on the job.”

He said more than 360 Western Sydney businesses had received more than $500 million which “has flow-on economic benefits across the region”.

Earthworks at the airport have moved almost 27 million cubic metres of soil and rock, equal in size to three Sydney Olympic Parks, and involved the largest fleet of scrapers in the world.

Pictured at the site of the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek is CEO of Western Sydney International Airport Simon Hickey. Picture: Richard Dobson

The 3.7 kilometre long runway has been laid on 5.5 million of sandstone from tunnelling projects across Sydney and been set with more than 12,000 cubic metres of concrete.

The airport has also sourced sandstone panels for the feature walls inside the terminal from a quarry in Gosford and aluminium feature panels for the terminal ceiling from Moorebank.

Mr Hickey said 29 people from Micron Manufacturing in Blacktown were working full time on laser cutting and welding self-service and check-in and bag drop facilities.

“Employing Western Sydney’s skilled workforce to build this once-in-a-generation airport is creating a legacy of job opportunities and economic growth, well into the future,” Mr Hickey said.

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]