Media Release: Western Sydney Airport preparing for take-off

Western Sydney Airport has reached another major milestone, with companies now invited to bid for a major contract to undertake the mammoth task of clearing and levelling the site.

At almost double the size of Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport, considerable work is required to transform the undulating 1780-hectare site at Badgerys Creek into an operational airport by 2026.

The difference in height between the lowest and highest point of the site is the equivalent of a 12-storey building – requiring the levelling of 22 million cubic metres of soil to make the airport site flat.

The Turnbull Government welcomes the announcement today that WSA Co, the Government-owned company building Western Sydney Airport, is calling for expressions of interest for the first major earthworks contract for the airport.

The airside earthworks, pavement and runway construction package has now been split into three separate contracts, making it easier for a wide range of businesses to be involved while also ensuring we get best value in a competitive construction market.

The contract is expected to be awarded in mid-2019 with major earthworks expected to commence in the second half of 2019. Early earthworks are scheduled to commence before the end of this year.

WSA Co has also announced it is calling for requests for tender for the Western Sydney Airport Visitor Centre.

Opening in mid-2019, the Visitor Centre will give Western Sydney a first-class ticket to view the airport’s construction and will also be an important facility as the Australian and NSW Governments work to attract global and Australian businesses to locate in Western Sydney to take advantage of the huge opportunities this airport will deliver.

Western Sydney Airport will support over 11,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction and over 27,000 during operation.

WSA Co has local employment targets of 30 per cent during construction and 50 per cent during operation, to ensure the airport provides jobs for Western Sydney residents.

By ensuring jobs for locals, the airport will deliver major opportunities for western Sydney businesses to contribute to the historic pipeline of investment being delivered in the region.