Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport project secures final approval

New South Wales’ Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project has secured the final planning approval from the Australian Government, taking this significant transport infrastructure even closer to being built. 

The Federal Government approval follows the granting of planning approval to the project by the State Government in July of this year. 

This final approval is for the 3.3-kilometre stretch of twin rail tunnels, two stations as well as two kilometres of surface track alignment within the boundary of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport. 

The tunnelling contract is expected to be awarded by the end of this year, with tunnel boring machines in the ground by 2023. 

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport is a 23-kilometre new railway link that will connect the new airport to the rest of Sydney’s public transport system as well as linking residential areas to job hubs such as the future Aerotropolis. 

This project will also deliver six new metro stations, including: 

• St Marys, interchanging with the existing suburban railway station and connecting customers with the rest of Sydney’s rail system 

• Orchard Hills, to service a future commercial and mixed-use precinct 

• Luddenham, to service a future education, innovation and commercial precinct 

• Two stations within the airport site, one at the airport terminal and another at the airport business park 

• The commercial heart of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis (proposed to be named Bradfield) 

Exact locations of the new metro stations can be found here. 

Project alignment (source: Sydney Metro)

In a statement, Sydney Metro said: “The 23-kilometre driverless metro will service western Sydney and the new airport, delivering a vital boost to the Australian and NSW economies, with the new metro line expected to support about 14,000 jobs, including 250 apprentices.” 

The Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project is a key element in the delivery of an integrated transport system for the Western Parkland City, which covers parts of Greater Western Sydney including established centres of Greater Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown-Macarthur. 

In May 2021, the tender process to find an operator for Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport commenced and the contract is anticipated to be awarded by the end of next year. You can read more about it here. 

Source: NSW Government – Sydney Metro (1, 2); International Railway Journal; Australia New Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline