Mike Freelander (Macarthur, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Western Sydney airport is a welcome financial and infrastructure boost to New South Wales, particularly to south-western Sydney and, even more particularly, to my electorate of Macarthur. However, the benefits of this project are set to be hampered if the airport is to open without a heavy-rail link connecting it to Macarthur. The need for this is backed up by Infrastructure Australia, who note the importance of heavy rail to the airport as vital for the airport's success. Heavy rail will allow constant round-the-clock movement of passengers, workers and cargo between the airport and the booming suburbs of Macarthur and the surrounding regions, as well as connections to Kingsford Smith airport, to the Moorebank intermodal freight depot and to all the new suburbs popping up around Macarthur.

Unfortunately, the New South Wales government is only committing to a light-rail link between our region and Western Sydney airport. This is bad planning. It is not good enough and it will not serve the needs of Macarthur and its booming suburbs. It's a serious mistake that has long-term implications, owing to the lack of vision by the Perrottet government and by the previous Morrison government federally.

There is a sign at Oran Park that says: 'Proposed railway station'. Unfortunately, it's been there for many years, and not a sod has been turned, and this is a disgrace and a shame.

Good planning is what we need. Good planning will benefit the citizens of Macarthur, which is the most rapidly-growing electorate in New South Wales and Australia. We need planning certainty and proper planning.

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