John Holland CEO says Sydney is being transformed by new transport links

The Waterloo Collective will provide a mix of commercial and residential buildings, including affordable and social housing, and student accommodation thanks to world-class public transport through Sydney Metro’s new Waterloo Station when the City & Southwest line opens to passengers in 2024.

Sydney’s Metro North West Line opened in May 2019. Not since the Harbour Bridge in 1932 had a transport project been so transformative.

There are projects just like it being delivered today, like the transformation of Waterloo.

When completed in 2026, the Waterloo Collective will provide a mix of commercial and residential buildings, including affordable and social housing, and student accommodation.

It’ll all be underpinned by world-class public transport through Sydney Metro’s new Waterloo Station when the City & Southwest line opens to passengers next year.

More diverse housing options, services and jobs closer to where people want to live, and all a short distance from a train station. That’s the transformative impact of infrastructure.

Tunnel Worker Aidan Morris started working pictured at the Rozelle interchange in Sydney today. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

To me, that’s what makes Sydney a more liveable, connected city.

The current infrastructure wave is also creating a proud jobs and skills legacy in construction. Projects that have cemented a new pipeline of talent.

One example is the Rozelle Interchange Project, soon open to motorists.

More than 20,000 people have worked on the project in the last five years, including more than 300 trainees and apprentices.

People like Aidan Morris, who at just 16 joined the Rozelle team as a school-based trainee. Now 20, he’s a tunnel worker watching the project he got his start on prepare for its official opening.

With the NSW government expected to announce an improved Metro West project, this will be another catalyst for even more people, just like Aidan, lining up to work on this generation’s city shaping project.

It’s an outcome that has been informed by government engaging with the infrastructure sector, something they should be commended for.

There are so many others just like Aidan and it reminds us of how important it is to invest in the future pipeline of construction talent.

They’re the next generation of tunnel workers, project engineers, and site managers.

The ones helping to deliver more city-shaping buildings, roads, rail lines and train stations, unlocking new housing developments, and creating more vibrant, connected communities.

Our city’s growing pains will be felt for some time – but I’m confident that bold and visionary infrastructure will propel our city forward and transform lives.