The federal and NSW governments have committed $1 billion to fund a major infrastructure project in south-west Sydney which will connect Liverpool to the new Western Sydney International Airport.
Both governments are spending $500 million each on the project which will upgrade Fifteenth Avenue. The 3.6-kilometre stretch of road is one of Sydney’s most heavily congested transport corridors, more than 22,000 vehicles travel along the two-lane highway every day.
Once completed, the Fifteenth Avenue upgrade will connect the new Bradfield city centre, the new Metro, and the airport – which is scheduled to open next year.
“My government wants Western Sydney to be a gateway to the rest of the world,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at Fifteenth Avenue to announce the project on Sunday. “We want it to thrive as the engine room for jobs, economic growth and opportunity.”
Joining Albanese, NSW Premier Chris Minns. Calling the project a “gamechanger”, Minns told reporters: “The Aerotropolis has the opportunity to transform Western Sydney and this road link is critical to delivering the jobs of the future in Australia’s fastest growing region.”
Liverpool City Council Lord Mayor Ned Mannoun – who led a community campaign to advocate for the upgrade – called the investment “a significant roads win” and thanked the thousands of people who “brought pressure to bear on the decision makers”.
“For too long we missed out on the infrastructure commitments we needed for our growing community as we were taken for granted and in some cases were completely dismissed,” he said.
Liverpool City Council predicts a significant increase in housing in the areas immediately surrounding Fifteenth Avenue, with as many as 63,000 additional people estimated to be living in the area by 2041.
The investment “shows that our community is important, and Liverpool City Council will continue to hold governments to account to deliver for the community”, said Mannoun. “The announcement shows that with the right advocacy Liverpool Council will no longer be ignored, we can get wins for our residents and achieve the infrastructure and facilities we need and more importantly deserve.”
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