New rail link forms part of Australian Government’s aerotropolis commitment

The Government of Australia has announced the agreement of a coordinated plan to build a ‘world-class’ aerotropolis with a rail link to West Sydney Airport.

Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull and Premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, signed the deal at Werrington Park on 4 March 2018. Among the pledges outlined in the Western Sydney City Deal is the construction of a ‘world-class’ aerotropolis at Badgerys Creek, a small suburb of the city and a North South rail link approximately 15km-long between the aerotropolis and the suburb of St Mary’s, via Western Sydney Airport which is currently under construction.

The Prime Minister said that this rail link would be operating by the time the airport opens in 2026.

The Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis is a two-year-old project aimed at complimenting the Western Sydney Airport build which is set to have a capacity of 10 million flyers a year at opening.

Following speculation about access to the airport build, the two governments have agreed that they will construct the North South Rail Link as equal partners, each contributing 50 per cent of the funding.

A spokesman said: “Both governments will each commit $50 million for a business case on the full North South rail line to finalise a route and station locations, building on the evidence base of the joint Rail Needs Scoping Study. A market sounding process will test private sector interest in station developments and explore innovative financing solutions. The North South rail line will help shape Western Sydney’s growth and support thousands of new jobs and homes for Western Sydney. It delivers on our commitment to build the Western Parkland City into Sydney’s third economic centre, adding much-needed rail capacity that will improve access to employment, education and services, including at the new Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis.”