Budget 2016: Aviation and rail links to boost tourism

David Hammon of Scenic World in NSW’s Blue Mountains appreciates the benefits of the proposed Badgerys Creek airport.

David Hammon of Scenic World in the Blue Mountains expects the Badgerys Creek airport to boost tourism in the region. Picture: Renee Nowytarger.

For third-generation family business Scenic World in NSW’s Blue Mountains, the proposed second airport for western ­Sydney will help deliver tourists “to our doorstep”.

Scenic World joint managing director David Hammon — who runs the business with sister ­Anthea — said the ease of ­getting to the facility was a key issue for visitors.

He expected the airport at Badgerys Creek to help increase tourism to the Blue Mountains and western Sydney but said planning for the rail links was crucial.

“Scenic World has been in business for more than 70 years and appreciate the link between aviation development and tourism — the positive benefits for western Sydney and for jobs growth,” he said.

“Strategic planning from the start of operations for road, public transport and rail links to support the new airport will be crucial in achieving this vision.”

Scott Morrison has allocated $115 million over two years to fund preparation work for the proposed Badgerys Creek airport. The funding includes $26.2m to undertake concept designs to provide rail services to the western Sydney site. Mr Hammon welcomed the commitment, saying “the important thing for tourism is (rail) access’’.

As part of Malcolm Turnbull’s vow to make cities more liveable, the government has promised a unit that will look at innovative financing for priority projects such as the rail link to the airport.

The unit will be charged with brokering deals with the private sector using methods such as “value capture” — which levies businesses to capture the benefits they reap from nearby ­projects — leveraging the government’s balance sheet, and public-private partnerships.

For advocates of Badgerys Creek airport such as Mr Hammon, much will depend on the outcome of a study by the NSW and commonwealth governments on rail in western Sydney, which is expected in November.

Value capture has been used to help fund the Hong Kong metro, where development rights around train stations were sold. However, sections of the property sector fear a new ­impost.

Sydney Business Chamber Western Sydney director David Borger said his group was “really open” to new ways of funding ­infrastructure.

Infrastructure Partnerships Australia chief executive Brendan Lyon said Canberra needed to be “very cautious” about becoming the “lender of last resort for projects that don’t stack up for private debt and equity”.

Mr Lyon said the “Cities Plan” detailed in yesterday’s budget should be linked to “harder” reforms such as privatising Queensland’s electricity sector or outsourcing “ineffective and expensive state-run­ services in other states”.