Western Sydney Airport has the potential to underpin a new defence and aerospace precinct in Western Sydney generating thousands of new jobs across a range of industries.
To start the process of turning this potential into reality, representatives of Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed-Martin and Rockwell Collins joined state and federal ministers yesterday in a round table conference.
The aim was to talk about the unprecedented investment and jobs opportunities presented by the Australian Government’s decision to deliver Western Sydney Airport in less than a decade.
Stuart Ayres, Minister for Western Sydney from the Berejiklian Government, along with Paul Fletcher, Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Angus Taylor Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation participated in the talk with the aerospace company representatives.
Western Sydney Airport will be constructed at Badgerys Creek by WSA Co, and will be operational by 2026.
The Australian Government is investing up to $5.3 billion in equity for construction of the airport.
Yesterday’s meeting follows the announcement by Northrop Grumman earlier this year that they would invest $50 million as the first anchor tenant in a new high-tech defence and aerospace precinct at the Western Sydney Airport precinct. Northrop Grumman will establish an advanced defence electronics maintenance and sustainment centre in the precinct as a key part of Northrop Grumman’s commitment to double its workforce in Australia to 1,000 people.
“Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing urban areas in Australia, and today’s round table is about helping ensure that we have the high quality jobs in the area to go with the growth,’’ Stuart Ayres said.
“Airports around the world are proven jobs generators and the defence and aerospace industry is a key opportunity for Western Sydney Airport,” Paul Fletcher said.
“Today’s round table was an opportunity to gather industry feedback on the establishment of a high-tech defence and aerospace precinct at Western Sydney Airport as part of the Western Sydney City Deal,” Angus Taylor said.
