Construction on Western Sydney Airport will begin this week, with the first sod turned by Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The project aims to create more jobs for the region and provide infrastructure that will help strengthen the economy.
When it opens, the airport aims to cater for up to 10 million passengers, with a gradual expansion to two runways will eventually cater for up to 82 million passengers, the size of London Heathrow and JFK in New York.
Western Sydney Airport has called for expressions of interest for the first of three major earthworks and airside civil works packages, expected to be awarded in mid-2019.
Mr Morrison said the Western Sydney Airport will provide a gateway to the world, not just for people but for job-producing freight as well.
“For half a century Sydneysiders have talked about a second airport. By tomorrow, bulldozers will be moving and work on the Western Sydney Airport will be underway,” Mr Morrison said.
“This airport will remove the handbrake from the Western Sydney economy.
“This is job generating infrastructure. Most times when infrastructure is built, there is job creation in the short-term and then it tails off when the project is completed. But with this project, job creation will accelerate when the airport is completed.”
Minister for Finance and the Public Service Mathias Cormann said the Federal Government’s investment of up to $5.3 billion in equity in Western Sydney Airport will have long-term economic returns.
“The airport will be at the centre of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis, which will be a global hub of innovation for sectors including defence and aerospace, freight and logistics, agribusiness, pharmaceutical and biotech industries,” Mr Cormann said.
“We have already seen industry leaders Qantas and Virgin commit to being at the airport from the day of opening and significant investment from the defence and science sectors committed.”
Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the project is about bringing jobs, education, industry and innovation for a prosperous and sustainable future for Western Sydney.
“The airport is already driving further investment in the region, including billions of dollars of Federal and NSW Government investment in road and rail connections, including the M12 motorway and North-South Rail Link,” Mr Tudge said.
“The rail link is part of the historic Western Sydney City Deal, a 20-year agreement that will make the region around the airport a better place to live, with better transport, education, liveability and job creation.
“Through the City Deal, all levels of government are working together to deliver a modern and vibrant Western Parkland City, an employment-generating Aerotropolis, and congestion-busting road and rail infrastructure, all of which will enhance liveability for people in Western Sydney.”
Initial earthworks are due to be completed by the end of 2019.
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