Western Sydney Airport is looking for a construction partner

Western Sydney Airport CEO, Graham Millett, said registrations of interest are expected from both Australian and global consortia as construction firms make their pitch to be part of the once-in-a-generation airport project.

Millet said: “Even in the context of an infrastructure boom, we’ve had a high level of interest from the market in each of the tenders we’ve released so far. The terminal will be the heart of Western Sydney International – it is the flagship of the airport and it will be a flagship project for the company that wins the contract. We are looking to commence engagement with the construction industry now, while we are still in the early design phase of the terminal.”

The contract includes construction of the first stage of Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport’s integrated international and domestic passenger terminal precinct, including the baggage handling system, security systems, IT network and aerobridges. Catering for up to 10 million passengers per year, the terminal will be designed for modular expansion as demand increases, avoiding disruption to passengers and airline operations.

The terminal precinct design competition was launched in January 2019, with five shortlisted architectural teams delivering their visions for the terminal. Submissions are currently being assessed with the successful team expected to be appointed by the end of 2019, when the first concept designs for the airport’s terminal precinct will be released.

Informing the detailed design process will be an optimised airport site layout (ASL), the blueprint for the airport. The revised ASL streamlines airport operations and provides for safer aircraft manoeuvring, improving efficiency and providing greater flexibility for growth.

The new ASL also creates a public plaza at the terminal entrance, integrating the public transport interchange, which includes bus stops and a connection to one of the airport’s two Sydney Metro Greater West stations.

Millet continued: “Our updates to the ASL simplify the airport, meaning better outcomes for passengers and airline operations in terms of amenity, efficiency, access and safety. 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. The plaza will be the perfect gateway to Sydney’s new airport, whether you’re being dropped off or arriving by ride-share, bus or train.”

Earthwork on the 1,780-hectare site began in September 2018, achieving one million cubic metres of earth moved in June 2019.

Registrations of interest for terminal precinct construction are open until 23 September 2019. The contract is expected to be awarded in 2021, with work to begin later that year. 

Western Sydney International is on track to open to international, domestic and freight flights in 2026.