Western Sydney Airport: To get AU$11 billion metro at opening

As part of the economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Scott Morrison promised this extension of the previously announced Metro West project to include more stations, 2 of which will be within the Airport’s boundaries.

The announcement includes an additional AU$3.5 billion for more tunnelling as well as putting St Mary’s station underground. The project is pledged to commence this year (2020) to be completed by 2026 which is also when the Western Sydney International Airport is also scheduled for opening.

2PAXfly Takeout

The aviation industry has a difficult road ahead when it comes to sustainability. It’s going to require a relative revolution in technology, with ‘electric planes’ or hydrogen planes, or some form of jet engine that doesn’t require a carbon based fuel. And that is going to require the development of an alternative to jet engines probably.

It’s a big ask. It will take time to develop.

This move to home grown and manufactured SAF is a first step – maybe even a baby step in a very long road of innovation. In the long run, US$200 million won’t even touch the sides.

Now we all know that the amount of money and the delivery date for both this metro rail initiative and the opening of the Western Sydney Airport will change. Add another year or two and double the budget, seems to be the usual way with these (don’t believe me – check out the delivery and budget for the Sydney light rail project!).

However, the initiative is to be lauded, because now at least there is a commitment to open a public transport corridor to the airport at the same time as the airport opens. I know these projects are ridiculously expensive, but not to open a public transport corridor to coincide with the opening of an airport is to commit to a huge amount of private car pollution, and an inefficient way of getting between the Airport and the rest of Sydney.

So, for avoiding that, the Federal and New South Wales Governments are to be congratulated – for doing their jobs!