One year since the first sod turn and the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is on track and on budget for a 2026 take-off.
The first12 months of construction has also delivered an economic boost to locals and businesses in Western Sydney.
New figures show more than 50 per cent of construction jobs have gone to locals, while tens of millions of dollars in contacts have flowed through to local businesses.
Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure, Alan Tudge, said the early earthworks phase had provided a better than expected economic boost for the region.
“We have always said that Western Sydney International would be a game changer for the region and provide real economic benefits that flow to locals and we are seeing this take shape,” Mr Tudge said.
“One year into construction, $37 million worth of work has been sub-contracted to local businesses to provide services and equipment to build Sydney’s new airport.”
In addition to contracts with local small businesses, the early earthworks is providing job opportunities for local workers.
Mr Tudge said more than 50 per cent of those employed on the airport are from Western Sydney.
“This means that hundreds of workers who might otherwise leave the region for work have local employment thanks to the construction of Western Sydney International.
“It also means that Western Sydney International is far exceeding its target of 30 per cent of local workers during the construction phase.”
Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said that the benefits are set to continue for western Sydney locals as the mammoth task progresses.
“With this milestone, history is being made as construction continues on Sydney’s long-awaited second airport,” Senator Payne said.
“Major earthworks are set to begin early next year and this means further job opportunities for our western Sydney communities.”
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh, said that the airport and surrounding Aerotropolis would transform Western Sydney and creating a thriving jobs hub in the region.
“Too many people have to travel outside of Western Sydney everyday for work,” Ms McIntosh said.
“Through the Australian Government’s delivery of Western Sydney International, the Western Sydney City Deal partnership between all levels of government and investment in transport infrastructure, we have a once-in-generation opportunity to deliver transformative change for the region.
Construction of Western Sydney International started on 24 September 2018 and to date more than 1.5 million cubic metres of earth have been moved. Major earthworks, which will see 23 million cubic metres of earth moved, will commence in early 2020 and terminal construction will start in 2022. The airport is on track to open in 2026.
