EVALUATION COMPLETE
The Australian and New South Wales governments are delivering a new 23 km Sydney Metro rail connection (Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport) from St Marys to the Aerotropolis at Bradfield. Further connections to expand and enhance the Sydney rail network are under investigation.
Extending the rail network from Bradfield to Leppington and from Bradfield to Macarthur would enhance connectivity and accessibility between Western Sydney Airport and Sydney’s south west and through to Sydney’s central business district.
The proposal is aligned with the Infrastructure Policy Statement through its contribution to improved connectivity and performance of the transport network – supporting more efficient movement of people, improved access to jobs and services, and sustained economic growth.
PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION
The proposal includes future rail connections between Bradfield and Leppington and Bradfield and Macarthur.
The Australian Government has committed $1 billion towards securing rail corridors to enable future Sydney Metro or Sydney Trains network extensions.
INVESTMENT RECOMMENDATION
The Australian Government should note this proposal as a potential future investment opportunity within the 2-4 year pipeline.
OPPORTUNITIES AND OUTCOMES
This proposal has the potential to:
- Enhance high-capacity transport connections to Western Sydney Airport – improving access to the airport from Leppington and Macarthur will be important to supporting airport operations and realising the economic potential of the Western Parkland City.
- Improve network resilience and travel reliability – expanding public transport options would reduce reliance on the road network and improve performance during peak periods.
- Support population and housing growth – stronger transport links would help accommodate current and future growth forecast for south west Sydney by improving access to housing and employment growth areas.
- Strengthen regional connectivity – reliable public transport options would improve access between key centres and reduce pressure on the road network.
- Contribute to Net Zero goals – delivering new public transport connections would support a shift from private vehicles to public transport, reducing emissions and supporting a more sustainable transport network.
NEXT STEPS
Proponent to progress development of a Final Business Case (Stage 3 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework) that includes:
- network integration analysis, including how the proposed rail connections would interface with the existing transport network
- consideration of approach to digital signalling to ensure compliance with European Train Control System (ETCS) standards where metropolitan networks interface with, or provide access to, the National Network for Interoperability
- interoperability assessment with existing rail connections such as Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport, including interchange design and multimodal connectivity.