Western Sydney Airport’s M12 Motorway: developers, council hit out over access to science park

The head of the Western Sydney Airport has issued a scathing review of plans for the M12 Motorway that will eventually link the M7 to the Aerotropolis precinct.

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A group of western Sydney councils, major construction companies and the developer behind Sydney’s second airport have hit out at the NSW Government in a scathing list of objections over $1.8 billion plans for the M12.

Roads and Maritime Services released its plans for the motorway linking the M7 to the Western Sydney Airport late last year — resulting in 52 submissions from government departments, developers, concerned residents and Penrith, Fairfield and Liverpool councils.

An impression of what the M12 motorway will look like.

The plans include a new 16km dual-carriageway being built between the M7 Motorway and the Northern Rd, as well as modifications to the local road network at Elizabeth Drive, Clifton Ave in Kemps Creek, Salisbury Ave and Wallgrove Rd.

“Western Sydney Airport and planned development associated with the Aerotropolis, employment lands and the South West Growth Area is expected to drive population growth in western Sydney, with about one million additional people living in the region by 2031,” the plans said.

An artist’s impression of what the M12 motorway might look like.

“Road network modelling indicates that, with the expected growth many roads in the existing network would be at or near capacity in the future.

“Without the project, ageing, narrow or lower-order roads would perform a traffic function that is better suited to motorway infrastructure.”

M12 – A graphic showing the Motorway worth about $1.8 billion connecting to Badgerys Creek airport

Despite the government considering the project as “essential to the state”, Western Sydney Airport chief executive Graham Millett raised critical concerns around the connectivity and access the M12 will provide to surrounding employment land and growth areas.

Mr Millett said the airport board was concerned the scope of work on the M12 “does not

optimise the opportunity to connect (the M12) to Western Sydney International and the locality from the east”.

Western Sydney Airport CEO Graham Millett hit out against the RMS. Picture: Robert Pozo

“While the design provides a motorway standard east-west connection, there are no other on

or off ramps between the Airport Interchange and the M7,” he said.

Mr Millett called for the creation of additional interchanges at Mamre and Devonshire roads as an “exit opportunity in the event of an incident that blocks the M12”.

He said the move would also provide toll-free access to the M12 and increased access to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis growth area.

A Liverpool Council spokesman the proposed M12 Motorway “does not include a direct connection to Elizabeth Dr, providing limited access to planned employment precincts at the airport, Elizabeth Dr and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

An artist’s impressions of Sydney Science Park by Celestino, which raised concerns around access.

Meanwhile, Penrith Council also raised concerns around the lack of interchange into the Northern Gateway within the Aerotropolis and also supported the airport chief executive’s concerns around a lack of on and off-ramps at Devonshire Rd.

The $22 billion Northern Gateway at Badgerys Creek will provide more than 55,000 jobs and include a mix of health, education and retail precincts.

“Connectivity across the corridor needs to be considered as a priority,” a Penrith Council spokeswoman said.

While Fairfield Council executive planner Andrew Mooney said the plans for the motorway “fail to take into account the impacts the M12 project will have on the Fairfield/Penrith Urban Investigation Area and proposed future population of the area”.

University of Sydney Campus infrastructure director Greg Robinson said the designs would cause the fragmentation of the university’s future employment land.

Concept images of property developer BHL's Northern Gateway City, located at the Western Sydney Aerotropolis at Badgerys Creek.

“Without adequate future access, the government’s desire to create advanced manufacturing, logistics and other employment uses in this area will be heavily constrained,” Mr Robinson told the government in his submission. “As a result, traffic will need to follow a loop through the airport in order to connect and access future employment lands in the Northern Gateway and surrounding precincts.”

The Federal Government's preferred route for the M12 Motorway between the M7 at Cecil Hills and The Northern Rd at Luddenham, with an interchange at Badgerys Creek Airport.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department expected work to begin in 2022.

“Community feedback received as part of the engagement process will be considered in the final design, “ he said. “Transport for NSW is also seeking feedback on the strategic design for the Elizabeth Dr upgrade.

“The strategic design will help identify where future road widening may occur and where the future key intersections would be along Elizabeth Dr.”