William Scott
The Federal Government has locked in a future rail connection between Leppington and the new Bradfield City Centre as part of a $1 billion investment to future-proof transport links for Western Sydney.
The Federal Government said the Leppington to Bradfield connection is a missing link on Sydney’s rail network, joining the new Western Sydney International Airport to Sydney’s south west.
The major investment will also secure future rail corridors between the Bradfield City Centre and booming suburbs in the Macarthur region.
The new corridors are expected to pave the way for Metro or Sydney Trains network extensions that would give passengers and workers at Sydney’s new airport easy rail access to Sydney’s south west, and onwards to the Sydney CBD.
They will also connect the south west Sydney regions with the airport, granting access to the world.
The Federal Government said it is the next practical step in safeguarding the future and ensuring the state is well-positioned to deliver the infrastructure communities across south west Sydney need.
This investment from the Federal Government follows the recent release of funding for a $195 million joint State and Federal business case, which is already underway to explore future rail connections in Sydney’s west.
Timelines for delivery of this corridor preservation work will be finalised with the New South Wales Government.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said, “Back in 2014, as Shadow Minister for Transport, I said we needed rail as well as road in order for this airport to work.
“Today, we’re delivering on that – investing $1 billion to continue planning the rail connection Sydney’s new airport should have had.
“We don’t want residents of Sydney’s south west to have to rely on buses to get to the airport. We want them to have fast, frequent rail access, and our investment today will help deliver that.
“This is all part of our plan to build Australia’s future – connecting people with the jobs of the future, and with each other.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the Federal Government’s $5.3 billion investment in Western Sydney Airport will transform the way Sydneysiders travel around the country and across the globe.
“Our government is not just investing in this new airport, but also giving people the connections they need to get there, now and for decades to come.
“This includes our $5.25 billion investment in the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, connecting commuters to the Western Line in St Marys with fast and frequent services and our $1.6 billion investment in the new M12 which will connect the new airport to Sydney’s network of motorways.
“This new investment will open the airport up to rail connections to Sydney’s South West, giving commuters more options when travelling in and out of the airport and the future Bradfield City Centre.”
Federal Member for Macarthur, Mike Freelander, said, “We’re putting in the work to preserve these vital rail corridors so our region can have the future public transport it needs and deserves.
“I’m really pleased that our government is delivering for south west Sydney’s future.”
