The federal government has committed $1 billion to secure land for a proposed rail link intended to connect Western Sydney Airport with the expanding areas of south-west Sydney. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the initiative at a summit in Warwick Farm, emphasising the necessity for residents in the region to have direct rail access to the airport instead of relying on buses.
The envisioned rail link would stretch from Leppington to Macarthur and Bradfield, providing fast and frequent public transport for commuters. Albanese stated, “We want them to have fast, frequent rail access, and our investment today will help deliver that.”
While business leaders in western Sydney have welcomed this initial funding as a positive step, they caution that substantial further investment will be required to fully realise the rail project. David Borger, Executive Director of Business Western Sydney, noted the significant population growth expected in South West Sydney, projecting the area’s population could reach one million in just 15 years. He stressed the urgency of establishing connections to both the new airport and the jobs centre at Bradfield.
Industry advocates recognise that while the initial $1 billion investment is a good start, it may not suffice to complete the rail line. Discussions regarding the project timeline will be coordinated with the New South Wales state government. The new rail line may take the form of either a metro service or an expansion of the existing Sydney trains network.
However, the construction of this rail project is likely years away, with the state government already under significant pressure to advance three other metro projects. The current extension from Sydenham to Bankstown is facing delays, raising concerns that the timeline for the Western Sydney Airport rail line could also be pushed back. As NSW Premier Chris Minns mentioned, ensuring that existing commitments are met must remain the government’s primary focus moving forward.