Prime Minister Scott Morrison starts work on Badgerys Creek Creek Airport
Prime Minister Scott Morrison turns the sod at the site of the airport at Badgerys Creek but critics say it is a powerplay.
Penrith
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison was joined by Western Sydney Minister Stuart Ayres and Minister Alan Tudge to officially turn the sod on the airport at Badgerys Creek Creek today.
Despite years of debate and controversy the signal to commence initial earthworks on the site was given this morning.
“This will be a significant boost to Australia,” Mr Morrison said.
“It will make Australia even stronger. It will keep our economy even stronger, which means that our economy will be able to support the essential services that our people of western Sydney rely on, the people of Sydney and the people of Australia rely on.
“This will be a piece of economic infrastructure that supports our economy that supports all Australians from one end of the country to the other.”
The Prime Minister acknowledged the efforts of his predecessors such as Malcolm Turnbull, Paul Fletcher, Tony Abbott and Warren Truss.
Sydney Airport Chief Executive Graham Millett said the sod turn marked the beginning of “an exciting new journey”
“It’s been talked about for decades, but now we’re ending the speculation — Western Sydney Airport is coming,” Mr Millett said.
“The site is very challenging, the difference between the highest and lowest points is the equivalent of a 12-storey building.
“These initial earthworks will help prepare the ground for eventual runway and terminal construction.”
A spokesman for the Residents Against Western Sydney Airport group said the sod turning was the federal government’s way of saying it is too late to stop the project.
“This is all designed to make us believe that it is too late to stop the construction of a 24 hour airport that will have far reaching consequences for the health and amenity of the people of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountain,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman questioned the accuracy of job numbers promised, accusing the government of “exaggerating”.
The initial earthworks is expected to be completed by the end of next year.
It involves moving around 1.8 million cubic metres of earth, which is the equivalent of about 720 Olympic swimming pools.
Major earthworks will begin in 2019 and will see 22 million cubic metres of earth moved, more than three times the amount moved for the 41km M7 motorway.
Western Sydney Airport is due to open in 2026 and will be a full-service airport with international, domestic and regional flights as well as freight flights.