Image: Michael Coghlan.
It’s one of the biggest infrastructure and transport projects in Sydney in the 21st century so far, but the much anticipated second airport will be lacking one significant feature – a railway line.
Although the federal government has invested heavily in roads to connect the new airport to the rest of Sydney, the conspicuous lack of a train line has provoked fierce opposition from local governments like the City of Liverpool.
The City’s Mayor Ned Mannoun responded highly critically to the news that the federal government’s plans for the Badgerys Creek airport project would not include a rail connection.
Mr Mannoun said no modern day airport can operate efficiently without rail infrastructure.
“This airport is one of the biggest opportunities for our region and the people of Western Sydney deserve a world class airport that will bring with it all the jobs and economic benefits that they have been promised and rail is a big component of this,” Mr Mannoun said.
He said fast access to cities and surrounding areas will make or break the success of the airport and will be the difference between a world class, job generating facility and a “small scale, short sighted operation”.
The City of Liverpool backed up its perspective by referencing Aerotropolis expert Dr John Kasarda’s recent report “A Western Sydney Aerotropolis”, which highlighted that improved passenger rail infrastructure can substantially expand the catchment area of an airport
This will in turn will attract more passengers and cargo and thereby support more flights, according to the report.
One of the big benefits that the City of Liverpool referenced was that rail is also critical for improving the way freight is managed – “a rail connection from day one would allow for an Intermodal to operate at the airport which would remove congestion and freight from our roads”.
According to the City of Liverpool, it would also attract logistics and freight dependant firms, thereby creating an economically viable concern from the outset.
“As Dr. John Kasarda said decisions surrounding airports are among the most important strategic choices a country or city can make,” Mr Mannoun said.
“I urge the Federal Government to rethink its plans and not let this opportunity pass us by,” he said.
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) also referred to the lack of a rail link to Badgerys Creek as an “infrastructure blunder”.
Acting Chief Operating Officer of the ARA, Phil Allan said rail infrastructure was critical to the future viability of the entire project.
“The ARA is pleased that the NSW Government is looking ahead by starting to secure a rail corridor, but we need the Federal Government to step up on this in order for it to happen; the rail option needs to be there from the start,” Mr Allan said.
He said the ARA is supportive of the construction of the airport to cater for its population that’s expected to grow by almost six million by 2031, but also for the millions of tourists visiting the city every year.
“What we cannot support is the construction of such an important transport hub without the necessary public transport infrastructure links required that will enable people to move in and out of the Airport efficiently, safely and sustainably,” Mr Allan said.
He said Sydney is a major gateway to Australia and needs to be served by a rail system like other world cities.
He said the planning of a project of such significance without incorporating rail is “poor planning and flies in the face of all long-term thinking”.
“Without the appropriate integrated transport infrastructure, that includes both road and rail, the Badgerys Creek Airport will simply be another frustrating bottleneck adding to Sydney’s congestion woes and detracting from the strong investment already put in place by the state government in to its light rail and Sydney Metro projects,” Mr Allan said.
He urged the importance for the federal government to work with both the NSW government and industry in ensuring the long term viability of this airport and the key to that is to support it with a robust, efficient transport system.
“To not have a rail line connect this airport to Sydney’s CBD from the get-go would be a major infrastructure blunder, that would take decades and cost millions to reverse,” Mr Allan said.
