Airport delivers jobs and skills

As site preparations get serious at the Western Sydney International Airport site, skills take pride of place, visitors get a front row seat, designs for the terminal move forward and the development’s competitive advantage is spruiked. 

Jobs and skills go hand in hand

Lendlease and CPB Contractors have been awarded a contract to carry out major earthworks at the 1780-hectare site and, according to WSA CEO Graham Millett, 30% of construction phase jobs will go to Western Sydney locals.

Once the Airport opens, that figure will increase to 50% and, in addition, 20% of jobs must go to apprentices, trainees and other learning workers.

The Federal Government has estimated that throughout the construction period, the Airport will support more than 11,000 jobs in Western Sydney, and it is expected to support 28,000 full-time jobs within five years of opening.

For more information on the Lendlease CPB joint venture, read the Financial Review report.

Vision for terminal sharpens

Following a worldwide call for registrations of interest, five shortlisted Australian and global consortiums are preparing to deliver their visions for the Airport terminal and the $5.3 billion development.

“The terminal will be the heart of Western Sydney International,” Mr Millett said. “It is the flagship of the airport and it will be a flagship project for the company that wins the contract,”

Mr Millett said the final design would include a new public plaza at the terminal entrance, integrating the public transport interchange including bus stops and a connection to one of the airport’s two train stations.

“The new layout for the public plaza supports our vision for Western Sydney International as an airport that people love using, even if they’re not catching a plane,” said Mr Millett.

The successful terminal design will be announced by the end of the year with construction to start in late 2021.

Western Sydney puts out global call

To build interest in the future development, Western Sydney Airport recently took part in the first World Routes exhibition in Adelaide – a global conference for airline network planners.

The local message was “A new approach to Sydney” and focused on the opportunities Western Sydney International’s curfew-free operations will create for airlines.

For more information on the World Routes exhibition.

Early check in for airport experience

A new “experience centre” will give locals and visitors the chance to watch the Western Sydney International Airport take shape.

The centre includes an exhibition space and viewing area. With major earthworks set to begin in early 2020, visitors will be able to watch as the site is prepared for construction.

The viewing area includes an augmented reality feature that gives a picture of how the terminal and runway will look. The centre also includes a series of videos that celebrate the history of the region and highlight the economic benefits of the Airport and the transformation being driven by its development.

Read more about the new experience centre.

Image:  Artist impression of the new airport terminal.