Following the beginning of registrations of interest for the delivery of the terminal precinct, New South Wales’ Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport marks another milestone with the award of the major bulk earthworks contract.
“With the ink now signed on the contracts, this huge construction work is due to begin in early 2020, and it’ll mean hundreds of new jobs on the airport site.
“The Airport is going to mean more jobs for local workers and more opportunities for Western Sydney,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
The joint venture between Lendlease Engineering and CPB Contractors has been awarded a $644 million contract to deliver major earthworks which is set to support hundreds of jobs.
According to Western Sydney Airport CEO Graham Millett, about 30 per cent of jobs during the airport’s construction phase will go to Western Sydney locals, with up to 20 per cent of these jobs allotted to apprentices, trainees and other learning workers.
“Not only are we focusing on ensuring the Airport creates jobs for the Western Sydney community, but it’s important we play a part in upskilling and training locals so they have skills that will set them up for life,” Mr Millett said.
This new contract award will get approximately 25 million cubic metres of earth to be removed from the site in preparation for major construction works to begin on major components of the airport which includes the terminal and runway.
Last year, the Lendlease-CPB Contractors joint venture was awarded the initial earthworks contract, and works commenced on September 2018. Since then, more than 1.5 million cubic metres of earth has been removed from the 1,780-hectare project site.
“With the awarding of this contract, we will see work on this site ramp up significantly. The contractors will soon be working across an area around 1,000 hectares, leading to greater progress and more jobs,” Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said that the awarding of the major earthworks contract is a vital step in the delivery of the new airport.
“The construction of a major airport comes around once in a generation and this infrastructure project will not only provide job opportunities west of Sydney during the construction phase but also beyond 2026 when it opens.
“When complete, the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport will ensure greater connectivity to other Australian cities, regional hubs and of course the world which benefits all Australians and visitors,” Mr McCormack said.
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban infrastructure Alan Tudge added that awarding the major earthworks contract is one of the most important steps in the delivery of the new airport at Badgerys Creek that is due to begin operations in 2026.
“We are keeping our promise to not only deliver a world-class airport for Western Sydney, but to turbo charge the transformation of the region,” Mr Tudge said.
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Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; CPB Contractors; The Urban Developer; Western Sydney Airport