Liverpool City Council Mayor, Ned Mannoun has welcomed the Prime Minister’s billion-dollar pre-election promise for the land needed to connect Western Sydney International Airport to south western Sydney by rail, but fears it is yet another “incomplete project” offering from the Government.
The Mayor said the six kilometre line from Leppington to the airport is the missing link in the Sydney public transport network, linking the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport line to the T2 and T5 Train network.
“Southwest Sydney is already clogged to the point of standstill every morning and afternoon when 15 minute commutes become hour long endurance tests. Unless goods, passengers and the hundreds of thousands moving here have easy access to WSIA, it will also wither at the end of the vine,” said Mayor Mannoun.
“Today’s announcement – together with the recent announcement about Fifteenth Avenue is another success for Liverpool City Council’s advocacy campaign.”
But the Mayor said he had two questions: When will a complete project be announced? And will the Coalition match or improve it?
“Today we merely bought land. Nothing about when the job will be finished nor who will fund it – which we estimate at $10 billion – at today’s prices. The longer it goes, the more expensive it gets.”
The Mayor thanked the Prime Minister for “promising $1 billon each time you come to Southwest Sydney”, but said that so far the pledged projects were far from being realised.
“We just found out the greatly-hyped Fifteenth Avenue upgrade is not a complete link to the Airport – it goes halfway and then it’s a rat run for the rest,” he said.
“The same with the rail. We need a one-seat trip to the city, not a trip interrupted by having to change trains at multiple stations. The world standard is an airport to city express. This is what we need.”
Mayor Mannoun issued a warning to all parties, “Stop giving Southwest Sydney promises for incomplete projects. Treat Southwest Sydney with respect. Make strategic announcements that provide the transport infrastructure we need if all the promises about jobs, growth and quality of life are to eventuate.
“When WSIA is carrying more than 10 million passengers a year (by 2030) the current lack of road and rail connections from the Southwest will strangle the airport’s ability to attract businesses and tourists, and will drastically limit Southwest Sydney’s economic potential.
“Should we simply stop building houses until the infrastructure catches up?” he warned.
