The Daily Telegraph op-ed: The West's new road to success

Anyone who has attempted the peak-hour commute from Western Sydney knows how frustrating it can be when you’re stuck in traffic.

That’s one of the reasons the Turnbull government has a $50 billion infrastructure program across Australia.

In 2016-17 we will invest $10 billion in transport infrastructure — the largest annual investment by the Commonwealth government in transport infrastructure in our nation’s history.

Western Sydney is central to our plans. In the next 20 years it will grow by one million people, which underscores the importance of the Turnbull and Baird governments’ $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan.

These investments will make it easier to get around Western Sydney, and will help to create jobs, reduce congestion and make the region an even bet-ter place to live.

The $1.6 billion upgrade to the Northern Rd will make it four lanes from Narellan to Jamison Rd, and work is already under way on stage one of this project.

The Werrington Arterial Rd project, which will provide a new link to the M4 and ease congestion on Mamre Rd and The Northern Rd, is already half completed. 

After Labor failed to act for six years, the Coalition committed to build Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek. 

Due to open in the mid-2020s, this will boost Western Sydney’s economy, attracting new businesses and jobs. 

From the day it opens, the new airport will have excellent road connectivity.

As well as the upgraded Northern Rd, there will be a motorway connec-tion between the airport and the M7.

We are also looking carefully at rail. As reported by The Daily Telegraph, Prime Minister Turnbull has asked the question: What would it take for rail to be operational at the airport when it opens? And if not then, how soon afterwards? 

The federal and state governments have established a joint study to look at these questions and a discussion paper will be released for public comment later this year.

Don’t expect such a considered, methodical approach to critical Sydney projects from the Labor Party. Shadow minister Anthony Albanese is promising everything to everyone — and every project seems to be his first priority.

By contrast the Turnbull government is working with the Baird government to deliver on existing, funded infrastructure projects for Western Sydney — and methodically planning for the future.

 Originally published on 20 April 2016.