Paul Fletcher (Bradfield, Liberal Party, Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects) Share this | Hansard source

and that plan includes rail at the optimum time. In the early years passenger numbers at Western Sydney airport will be relatively low and will be more than adequately catered for by road connections. There is a $3.6 billion road package already underway, and that package will involve upgrades to the Northern Road, Bringelly Road and Narellan Road, amongst others, and there will be a new motorway connection from the M7 to the airport site ready by the time the airport opens.

It is important that there is also a clear plan for rail in relation to the Western Sydney airport, so the Turnbull government is working closely with the New South Wales government to assess potential rail corridor options to serve the airport and the broader Western Sydney region. The New South Wales government is assessing, for example, an extension of the South West Rail Link from Leppington. As set out in the draft Western Sydney airport plan, released this week, the airport is being planned with space reserved for rail corridors and a train station. During construction there will be excavations for the train tunnels and the space where the station will be built. This will allow for the rail connection to the Sydney metropolitan train network to be added at the optimal time, which is expected to be after the airport opens and as the passenger numbers grow.

Mr Albanese interjecting—

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