The new airport will be at the heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis Core. Photo: WSI Airport
The NSW Government is to spend $835 million on Western Sydney’s new airport city, the Aerotropolis, under the new state budget.
The funding deal for the 11,200-hectare aerotropolis is in addition to $1 billion also spent on the first stage of the project’s Fifteenth Avenue upgrade.
NSW Premier Chris Minns says the money earmarked for the city means it is not just about the new airport.
“We’re creating a connected, thriving region that will delivers job, homes and opportunity for generations to come,” he claims.
“This funding ensures the right infrastructure is in place to support growth and unlock the full potential of the Aerotropolis.”
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says the new budget makes the critical investments in essential infrastructure that is needed.
“We are backing the Aerotropolis precinct with the infrastructure to grow a local economy and create jobs,” he says.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib says a new Badgerys Creek Fire Station (see below) will play a vital role in strengthening emergency response in the region.
“This investment means our emergency services are prepared to help safeguard the community as the region continues to grow.”
Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison says this year’s budget allocation is “focused on the must-have priorities” – new and widened roads, intersections, and safety upgrades.
Water Minister Rose Jackson says the spending is about “getting the basics right” to build homes and businesses.
Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell says the new station’s proximity to the airport means it can immediately respond to any emergency.
ROAD FUNDING
Almost $150m in extra funding on roads to take the total funding over four years to $2.7 billion. New projects include:
- $50m for upgrades like traffic lights and signals at the Elizabeth Drive and Luddenham Road intersection and a new turning lane at the Mamre and Kerrs roads intersection.
- $39 million to plan three key routes (Devonshire, Devonshire Link and Bradfield Metro Link roads) with $12.5m coming from Canberra.
- $29.6m on a rapid response emergency response team.
- $30m on more than 1000 new green directional signs across Sydney.
This comes on top of existing jointly-funded road projects such as:
- $1 billion for the first stage of the Fifteenth Avenue upgrade between Liverpool and the new airport.
- $1 billion for the upgrade of Mamre Road Stage 2 between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek.
- $800m to upgrade of Elizabeth Drive to connect the new airport.
- More than $2 billion for the toll-free M12 Motorway.
NEW FIRE STATION
The government says the new $15.4m Badgerys Creek Fire Station will be built on Adams Road, Luddenham. Work is due to start this year and finish by late 2026.
Government says it will also spend $42.2m to recruit 52 new firefighters to staff the 24-7 station.
This builds on the government’s $15.4 million spending last year on a new Badgerys Creek fire station, including three new trucks.
STORMWATER PIPING
Sydney Water will spend $644m on new stormwater and recycled water infrastructure across the Mamre Road precinct.
The works will support the Aerotropolis’s 1020-ha Mamre Road Precinct and pay the way for the remaining 7267ha of industrial land surrounding the new airport.
The state government says it worked with Sydney Water to drive down the cost to developers; a March 2023 proposed bond fee for the Mamre Road Precinct of $1.3m per hectare was revised down to $877,000 in the end.
The money will fund the construction of natural channels and waterways, as well as buy land for stormwater capture and harvesting infrastructure (basins and wetlands).
