A massive win for the region – that’s one of the descriptions of today’s announcement that the Federal and NSW Governments have committed to the delivery of a $7 billion Western Sydney Airport north-south rail link.
“This is more than just a rail line, it’s a steel spine for the region,’’ says Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue chairman Christopher Brown.
“We are delighted that governments accepted our argument that Western Sydney must be connected to Western Sydney Airport as a priority,” Mr Brown said.
“Our studies showed that the connection, linking our key growth and employment areas, could be the catalyst for 40,000 new local jobs.
“Badgerys Creek Airport represents a new era for the region and it is vital that our booming cities in the south and north west are connected to it, from the outset.
“This is, after all, not Sydney’s second airport, but Western Sydney’s first airport.”
Mr Brown said that the north-south link, along with the West Metro, which connects Sydney to Parramatta, were the two most important transport projects for Western Sydney when it came to employment generation, improved liveability, housing affordability and reduced congestion.
“With the north-south corridor secured, and the West Metro prioritised by the NSW Government, we need a firm timeline on delivery, and certainty on how they will be funded,” Mr Brown said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Value-capture, where landowners who benefit from the project, help subsidise its cost, is the future of infrastructure funding.[/social_quote]
“Western Sydney is prepared to ‘pay to play’ but unless the private sector is at the table to design the scheme it will never work – leaving taxpayers exposed.
“To ensure the Greater West does enjoy the turbo-charging this project could provide we need the Greater Sydney Commission designated as Coordinator General to make the Aerotropolis a reality by 2026.
“Further, we need the future extension of the rail line north to Marsden Park and south to Campbelltown to be identified and protected as a priority action.’’
The proposed $7 billion rail line would link up with Leppingon, meaning there are no plans to extend further south to Macarthur at Camden, Narellan and Campbelltown.
