Fast Rail to Badgerys Creek Will Ensure Airport Meets Full Potential

The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has applauded the commitment by Prime Minister Turnbull for the Federal Government to take a lead role in developing a fast rail link between the Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek and the city centre.

“A few months ago I cautioned that we risked the Western Sydney Airport becoming a ‘hitch hiker’s airport’ without a plan for rail to connect it to our city’s economic centres; it is fantastic to see the Government embracing that message,” said Margy Osmond, TTF CEO.

“There is absolutely no doubt that we need the Federal Government to not just be leading the construction of the Western Sydney Airport, and the roads, but the public transport connections that will determine the economic success of this asset.

“International experience shows that modern airports need rail link and the faster the better so that the travel time is no more than 45 minutes to the end destination.

“There are still many unanswered questions which the Prime Minister has rightly identified including the all-important cost and funding of the project.

“A fast rail link will be a transformative project for the entire Greater Sydney not just the airport. The inevitable funding model must recognise this fact and should not penalise industry or add further costs to the construction of the airport directly.

“Industry is looking forward to the release of the rail investigation study for the Western Sydney Airport later in the year that will hopefully shed more light on the logistical requirements of what will be a mammoth project for Sydney. We want to work with the Government to ensure we can bring this project to reality.”