Planning approval granted to NSW Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport

Major construction on New South Wales’ Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project is due to commence soon following the granting of planning approval by the State Government. 

With this approval in place, the new Metro line to the Western Sydney Airport is a step closer to transforming how western Sydney connects to the rest of the city. 

“The Morrison Government is providing a once-in-a-generation level of funding in a range of major infrastructure projects across western Sydney, to transform the region and foster the creation of Australia’s future industries. 

“This includes working closely with the NSW Government to deliver this new multi-billion-dollar Sydney Metro line, which will provide a critical link to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and improve connectivity for local residents. 

“Once operational, the new Metro is expected to transport up to 7,740 passengers each hour in each direction, while also taking about 110,000 vehicles off local roads every day, significantly reducing local traffic,” Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said. 

The new 23-kilometre driverless metro will connect the new Western Sydney Airport to the rest of Sydney’s public transport system as well as linking residential areas to job hubs such as the new Aerotropolis. 

This significant transport infrastructure project will also deliver six new metro stations at the following locations: 

• St Marys, interchanging with the existing suburban railway station and connecting customers with the rest of Sydney’s rail system 
• Orchard Hills, to service a future commercial and mixed-use precinct 
• Luddenham, to service a future education, innovation and commercial precinct 
• Two stations within the airport site, at the airport terminal and at the airport business park 
• The commercial heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis (proposed to be named Bradfield) 

The exact locations for each station can be found here. 

“This city-shaping infrastructure will deliver a vital boost to the NSW economy, with the construction of Sydney’s newest Metro rail line expected to support around 14,000 jobs, including 250 apprentices. 

“Community feedback has helped shape the Metro project, including introducing measures to further reduce parking impacts on local communities and the relocation of a temporary bus interchange,” NSW Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said. 

Project alignment (source: Sydney Metro)

Once up and running, the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport will open more opportunities for further development of the Western Parkland City. 

“It will take just five minutes to travel from the airport to the Aerotropolis to St Marys – where customers can connect to the rest of Sydney’s rail network. 

“The initial operating capacity will see trains travelling in both directions every five minutes during peak periods, so customers won’t need a timetable – they'll just be able to turn up and go,” NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said. 

Early works on this development commenced in December 2020. Major construction is due to begin in the coming months and the tunnelling contract to be awarded by the end of this year, with the massive tunnel boring machines to begin digging by the end of 2023. 

Approvals from the Australian Government for Sydney Metro’s rail development within the boundary of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport are anticipated to be granted in the coming months. 

In May 2021, the tender process to find an operator Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport commenced and the contract is expected to be awarded by the end of next year. Read more about it here.

Source: Sydney Metro (1, 2); Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts; The Urban Developer; Inside Construction