The Albanese Government is future-proofing the transport links for a growing Western Sydney, locking in a future rail connection between Leppington and the new Bradfield City Centre with a $1 billion investment.
The Leppington to Bradfield connection is a missing link on Sydney's rail network, joining the new Western Sydney International Airport to Sydney's south west.
Previously in the works, it was shelved under the Coalition Government in 2014, when it cut funding from public transport projects across the nation.
Today, we're revitalising this crucial connection for Sydney's south west with a $1 billion investment to secure future rail corridors not just between Leppington and Bradfield, but also between the Bradfield City Centre and booming suburbs in the Macarthur region.
The new corridors will pave the way for Metro or Sydney Trains network extensions that would give passengers and workers at Sydney's new airport easy rail access to Sydney's south west, and onwards to the Sydney CBD.
They will also connect the south west Sydney regions with the airport, granting access to the world.
This is the next practical step in safeguarding the future and ensuring we are well-positioned to deliver the infrastructure communities across south west Sydney need.
This investment from the Albanese Government follows the recent release of funding for a joint State and Federal $195 million business case, which is already underway to explore future rail connections in Sydney's west.
Timelines for delivery of this corridor preservation work will be finalised with the New South Wales Government.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
"Back in 2014, as Shadow Minister for Transport, I said we needed rail as well as road in order for this airport to work.
"Today, we're delivering on that - investing $1 billion to continue planning the rail connection Sydney's new airport should have had.
"We don't want residents of Sydney's south west to have to rely on buses to get to the airport. We want them to have fast, frequent rail access, and our investment today will help deliver that.
"This is all part of our plan to build Australia's future - connecting people with the jobs of the future, and with each other."
Quotes attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King
"Our $5.3 billion investment in Western Sydney Airport will transform the way Sydneysiders travel around our country and across the globe.
"Our Government is not just investing in this new airport, but also giving people the connections they need to get there, now and for decades to come.
"This includes our $5.25 billion investment in the Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport, connecting commuters to the Western Line in St Marys with fast and frequent services and our $1.6 billion investment in the new M12 which will connect the new airport to Sydney's network of motorways.
"This new investment will open the airport up to rail connections to Sydney's South West, giving commuters more options when travelling in and out of the airport and the future Bradfield City Centre."
Quotes attributable to Member for Macarthur Mike Freelander
"The booming suburbs of South West Sydney have grown under the promise of future rail connections, but under previous Governments they never came.
"Now we're putting in the work to preserve these vital rail corridors so our region can have the future public transport it needs and deserves.
"I'm really pleased that our Labor Government is delivering for south west Sydney's future."
