Western Sydney University welcomes critical transport commitment for the new airport
Western Sydney University welcomes Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s commitment to a rail link to connect Western Sydney International Airport with Macarthur and Leppington.
The Prime Minister’s $1 billion pledge to acquire and preserve the land corridors required to connect the new airport will be pivotal to the University’s plans to drive skills, research, new jobs and investment at Bradfield and surrounds.
Western Sydney University, Chancellor, Professor Jennifer Westacott AO said, “This announcement is critical to realising the new jobs and industries the University is committed to driving for its region over the coming decade.”
“For the new airport and aerotropolis at Bradfield to deliver for Western Sydney, it needs to be connected to Western Sydney,” said Professor Westacott. “The preservation of these transport corridors by the Prime Minister is the first step in maximising the full benefits of the airport and surrounds for our region.”
Sydney’s outer southwest is projected to be among the fastest growing areas in Australia through to 2036. Despite rapid growth in skills, Western Sydney contends with a jobs imbalance of just 81 jobs for every 100 workers, compared with 124 jobs to 100 workers across the rest of Greater Sydney.
The Chancellor commissioned the Unlimited Potential: Western Sydney’s Economic Strategy (opens in a new window), released in November 2024 to redress economic inequities and map a sustainable trajectory for accelerated skills, jobs and industry growth for Sydney’s west.
The plan singles out the airport and Bradfield as a crucial catalyst for enabling Western Sydney’s “transition from a peripheral to core economy”, or a regional to globally connected economy.
Unlimited Potential also identifies Macarthur and Leppington as priority sites for transport connection. “It is great to see these recommendations being taken up by the government,” said Professor Westacott.
Professor Westacott said, “Unlocking Western Sydney’s potential in globally competitive industries like advanced manufacturing, agri-tech and defence relies on access to an agile and highly skilled workforce. These transport links can make that a reality.”
ENDS
13 March 2025
Photo credit: Sally Tsoutas
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