Finding a way to Western Sydney Airport – by rail?

After more than 50 years of studies, the Commonwealth of Australia is funding and building another new airport in the fast-growing western part of the Sydney metropolis. This airport is about as remote as it is possible to be from population centres and CBDs in the region before running into the mountainous terrain that surrounds the Sydney Basin.

In Australia, responsibilities for such a major piece of infrastructure are shared – the Commonwealth/federal government is responsible for the airport itself and the State of NSW for the land transport access infrastructure that is needed to service it – noting that, however, the Commonwealth provided substantial funding to the State for such projects.

The State is also committed to building an “aerotropolis” or employment precinct adjoining the airport.

This report looks at the current airport access planning – and at what improvements could and should be made.

The lightly edited report is provided by Peter Thornton, Director, Transportation Associates and does not necessarily represent the views of CAPA – Centre for Aviation.