By Esther Han
A "crucial" metro line will be up and running before the opening of Sydney's second international airport at Badgerys Creek in 2026, the NSW and Federal government will announce on Sunday.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her government will invest more than $2 billion over the next four years to build the North South Rail Line, which will run from St Marys to the new airport.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.Credit: Louise Kennerley
"We know the Western Sydney Airport and the aerotropolis are the future of Sydney and that is why we are making the investment now for construction on the rail line to begin in 2021," she said.
"At the same time we are building the crucial road links and are investing $3.6 billion to build the new M12 motorway and upgrade existing roads including the Northern Road and Bringelly Road."
The aerotropolis - the area centred on the airport, to be named Nancy-Bird Walton - is expected to create 200,000 jobs.
The metro line will run from St Marys Station through the new airport to the new aerotropolis, providing an interchange with the existing Sydney Trains T1 Western Line.
With the state poll two weeks away, the state and federal Liberals are determined to show a united front. The state and federal government will split the costs under the Western Sydney City deal.
The federal government is fully funding the new airport with $5.3 billion. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government will also provide a $3.5 billion "rail package commitment".
"Working together our governments are going to get this done," he said.
"This project and the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will drive economic growth for Western Sydney, boost jobs and housing."
The federal government’s $3.5 billion commitment will begin with $61 million for the Elizabeth Drive Overpass, an essential piece of early enabling infrastructure to ensure the airport is rail ready.
Both Liberal leaders claimed the "crucial" new airport, aerotropolis and rail line were only possible because of their "strong" economic management.
"Our plan for a stronger economy means we can make record infrastructure investments in Western Sydney unlike the Labor Party who would need to prop up their Budget with $200 billion of higher taxes on housing, retirees, incomes, electricity and small and family businesses," Mr Morrison said.
The business case for the North South Rail Line is being developed and will be delivered to the state and federal governments by the end of this year.
In January, the Herald revealed the cost of building the M12 motorway to the new airport would blow out unless the road project's size was reduced or extra funding was found.
The Nancy-Bird Walton Airport was named after the pioneering pilot who transported the sick from isolated regions around the country, helped set up the Royal Far West Children's Health Scheme, and was an early pilot for the Royal Flying Doctors' Service.
"Nancy-Bird Walton was a pioneer not just for women but for anybody," Ms Berejiklian said last week.