COMMITTEE for Sydney chief executive Gabriel Metcalf says a new rail line between Western Sydney Airport and the suburb of St Mary’s will be a welcome development.

It was announced today that construction on a metro line connecting the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek to St Marys will begin before year’s end.

“This is a big announcement for public transport in Sydney, and a big milestone for the Western Sydney airport as well,” Mr Metcalf said.

ADVERTISEMENT  

“The new line will connect suburbs and take pressure off the roads,” he said.

“Federal and State governments have come together fund the project. Not only will this investment bring public transport to a rapidly growing part of Sydney, it will also help to create thousands of jobs during the economic downturn.”

Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport is to have two stations on the airport site, with a station at the airport’s integrated international and domestic terminal as well as the on-airport business park.

Western Sydney Airport chair Paul O’Sullivan said construction of the airport and its supporting road and rail projects was now set to inject $20bn worth of new infrastructure into the Western Sydney region.

“Western Sydney International is a once-in-a-generation project that is already proving to be the catalyst for the transformation of Western Sydney,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport will not only ensure that the Airport is connected to the city’s rail network, it will complement the Airport’s ability to create economic growth and opportunities for the region, creating jobs for the people of Western Sydney and providing new ways for people to get around.”

Western Sydney International will open to international, domestic and freight flights in 2026,

As well as being important for the long term movement of people, the Western Sydney Airport is also expected to be an important cog in the movement of freight.