Badgerys terminal ‘needs to be see-through’

The federal government will launch an international “beauty contest” to design the $6 billion western Sydney airport.

The federal government will launch an international “beauty contest” to design the planned $6 billion western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek, demanding a futuristic “see-through” passenger terminal where travellers can view aircraft almost from when they enter the building.

The strategy is based on an international study by airport planning consultants Landrum & Brown that found passengers were less stressed if they could see the aircraft that might take them aloft rather than waiting in closed-in departure lounges.

Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher told The Weekend Australian the government would launch a tender process in coming months for the design and construction of the airport, and it would be open to domestic and international firms.

A government source said it was expected the “best airport ­design companies” from Australia and around the world would use “their best design teams” to put forward alternative concepts, ­although the vast majority of the actual design and building work would be done by Australians.

The move follows the announcement this week that the government would “go it alone” in building Sydney’s second airport after the Sydney Airport Group acted on its first right of refusal, ­rejecting the opportunity.

The first phase of the project, involving a single runway and a single passenger terminal for both domestic and international flights, is to see passengers flying by 2026.

Mr Fletcher said the government had set high standards for the project, particularly the passenger terminal.

“The terminal is probably the most important part of the story here, because that is the part most people will experience,” he said.

Mr Fletcher said while the final design was up for tender, the ­government had largely set the parameters by issuing a “notice of intention” specifying the ­requirements.

Mr Fletcher effectively confirmed the airport, which is due to handle 10 million passengers a year in its first phase, would not have a rail link at the start, ­although space for a future station will be allocated and a rail corridor reserved.

“The airport alone does not make the case for rail in the early years,” Mr Fletcher said.