The federal government says it is still committed to planning for rail connections between the new airport at Badgerys Creek, the Macarthur region, and South West Sydney.
And it confirmed both light and heavy rail options are still on the table as part of the planning.
With construction of the Western Sydney International Airport on schedule, Campbelltown Council went on the front foot earlier this year, asking Canberra about infrastructure funding and planning.
It specifically asked the federal government about funding commitments in the 2024-25 Budget.
Kristy McBain, the minister for regional development, local government and territories, has now responded to council’s request for the information.
“The government made the following commitments in the 2024-25 Budget,’’ the minister wrote back.
The commitments included $32.5 million for the South West Sydney Roads planning project.
The project will develop final business cases for critical road upgrades in the region, including the Hume Highway, Cowpasture Road, Camden Valley Way, and Menangle Road.
The minister said these upgrades would support new housing in the Greater Macarthur Growth Area and the South West Growth Area.
“The business case will identify upgrades needed to address congestion, improve road safety and enhance accessibility,’’ the minister said.
She also told council that an additional $20 million had been allocated in the budget for the South West Sydney Rail planning business case project.
“This brings the government’s total contribution to the project to $97.5 million,’’ the minister wrote.
“This project will develop a final business case and allow for early property acquisitions, if required, for a rail line from Bradfield (the proposed new city next to the airport) to Glenfield via Leppington, and from Bradfield to Macarthur,’’ Minister McBain said.
“The final business case will consider heavy and light rail, and provide the detailed designs, economic assessment and cost estimation to inform an investment decision for the construction of the extension.’’
The minister did not provide a timeline for the completion of the business cases.
Western Sydney International Airport is scheduled to open in late 2026.
