B-double trucks to carry fuel to Sydney’s new airport amid ongoing delay in fuel pipeline infrastructure

Dozens of B-double tanker trucks will be forced onto roads to deliver fuel for aircraft at the city’s new airport, angering western Sydney politicians and business groups.

Western Sydney politicians and business groups have labelled the lack of a fuel pipeline to the city’s new airport “outrageous” and “a recipe for disaster”, as the $5bn facility prepares to open without critical infrastructure in less than two years’ time.

Dozens of B-double tanker trucks will be forced onto the roads to deliver fuel for aircraft at Western Sydney Airport, despite the need for a pipeline to supply planes with jet fuel being identified as a “high-priority project” more than seven years ago.

In addition to traffic concerns, a report by Western Sydney Airport has also warned the lack of pipeline infrastructure could cause an “inflationary effect” on airport operating costs, deter airlines from using the site and contribute to higher ticket prices for passengers.

While construction works on much of the airport, including the main runway and terminal buildings, is nearing completion, the NSW Government is yet to even finalise a route for a fuel pipeline.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said work was continuing to “identify a possible fuel pipeline route” but was unable to provide a date for when the project could commence construction.

A fuel pipeline won’t be ready in time for the airport’s opening.

“As of last year Western Sydney International Airport began a process to garner expressions of interest and proposals to develop the pipeline,” the spokesman said.

“Once that process is finalised, we will continue to work with all stakeholders on the development of the western Sydney fuel pipeline.”

Construction works at the airport, pictured here earlier this year.

A report by the airport on aviation fuel supply options predicts 1.5 billion litres of fuel will be required each year from 2026, with that figure rising to 2 billion litres in 2036 and about 3 billion by the 2050s.

Transport for NSW has been unable to say exactly how many trucks are likely to be needed to transport fuel to the airport once it opens to passengers in 2026.

The airport is due to open in 2026.

But early planning documents for the airport suggested about 43 B-doubles per day could be required, with fuel likely sourced from Kurnell or existing distribution terminals at Parramatta/Clyde, Silverwater and Port Botany.

A review by Western Sydney Airport stated a pipeline – which the NSW Government would be responsible for building – would save $5m in vehicle operating costs each year and have “socio-economic and environmental benefits”, including reduced road congestion.

“In general terms, fuel delivery by truck is financially less efficient than pipeline delivery and will likely have an inflationary effect on the cost of fuel at the airport,” the review stated.

Residents have raised concerns over traffic impacts on the road network surrounding the airport.

“Similarly, to maximise long-term growth in international demand, the fuel price at the airport will need to be competitive with other major east coast airports.

“Simply, lower than forecast volumes may lead to higher fuel prices, which either acts as a disincentive for international airlines to use Western Sydney Airport or increases international ticket prices, thereby placing airport growth projections at risk.”

Resident Alison Dench, who spoke at a parliamentary inquiry into infrastructure for the airport, said fuel tankers using local roads could cause “safety hazards” and “contribute to road congestion”.

State Wollondilly MP Warren Kirby also spoke at the inquiry, saying “literally nobody has been able to provide even a modicum of answer towards how many truck movements” the airport is expecting to carry fuel.

Nick Ryan, the executive manager of policy and advocacy at Business Western Sydney, said it was an “outrage” that a fuel pipeline would not be ready in time for the airport’s opening.

“If the people of western Sydney are going to have to put up with a 24-hour non-curfew airport, they shouldn’t also have to put up with something that no other part of Sydney has to put up with, which is the dangers that come about from highly flammable, dangerous aviation fuel driving around, likely (on) the M5, the M7 and the M12,” he said.

Once open, the airport is expected to carry about 10 million passengers and 220,000 tonnes of air cargo a year, with numbers predicted to increase to 82 million passengers in coming years.

It is understood Transport for NSW is forecasting the number of fuel trucks needed to serve the airport in its initial operating years to be “small” and similar to Canberra Airport, where roughly 12 trucks per week are delivering jet fuel.

Campbelltown Mayor George Greiss said there was a need for sufficiently upgraded roads to service trucks and other vehicles, adding that relying on current infrastructure would be a “recipe for disaster”.