The Sky-High Impact of the Western Sydney Airport

As the vibrant pulse of Western Sydney propels forward, a game-changer is on the horizon, poised to transform the landscape of the entire region—the Western Sydney Airport (WSA). Badgerys Creek was found to be the best site to meet the growing aviation demand due to its proximity to road and rail transport links and longstanding planning restrictions which have protected the area from incompatible urban development.??

The new WSA will be a state-of-the-art piece of infrastructure, planned and designed with 21st-century thinking. Stage 1 of the development is set to feature a runway that stretches 3,700 metres - just long enough for a decent morning jog - and enough to handle almost any type of residential carrier.?

Alongside, it will boast landside and airside facilities, including passenger terminals, cargo and maintenance areas, car parks, and navigational instrumentation. All these are designed to handle the comings and goings of about 10 million passengers per year - roughly the population of Sweden, give or take a few ABBA members.

But that’s just the start. The proposed airport is expected to be progressively developed as demand increases beyond 10 million passengers a year. The need for a second parallel runway would be triggered when demand approaches 37 million passengers annually, which could occur around 2050. By around 2063, the airport is expected to accommodate approximately 82 million passengers annually.?

The WSA is not just a runway, it's a runway for economic growth and social unity in the West

The establishment of the WSA is projected to augment employment opportunities and enhance business accessibility. It's like a job-creating, business-boosting superhero, swooping in to level the playing field between Western Sydney and the high-flying Sydney CBD.

Unveiling the Numbers

Western Sydney boasts a staggering 47% of Sydney's residents, a dynamic workforce comprising approximately 2.1 million individuals. Yet, despite this thriving populace, a stark reality persists—around 30% of Western Sydney's workforce embarks on gruelling commutes to other corners of the city.?

As a result, Sydney's transport infrastructure is feeling the squeeze, with the economic toll as hefty as a sumo wrestler, culminating in numerous economic implications, inclusive of those related to traffic congestion and disruption.?

The extended travel times also impose a monetary burden on the inhabitants of Western Sydney, consequently impacting the region's overall quality of life. This scenario generates a pressing need for local job growth, a concern underscored by the impending job shortage, predicted to hit 300,000 by 2036, if not addressed urgently.?

The WSA thus emerges as a beacon of hope on this economic horizon. A recently published in-depth Economic Impact Analysis conducted by Ernst Young (EY) unraveled the significant and far-reaching positive impacts that the WSA is projected to make:

• The WSA will contribute $205 million in value-add across Australia by 2031, and $5.8 billion by 2063. Western Sydney alone will enjoy $77 million in value-add by 2031
• An annual increase in business profits of $73 million by 2031, leaping to $2 billion by 2063, and?
• Household incomes will see an impact of $140 million per year by 2031, swelling to $3.4 billion by 2063

Taking Off

The construction of the WSA is not only a testament to technological marvel but also a cornerstone for job creation and economic revitalisation. The very act of erecting this aviation hub is poised to inject vitality into the Western Sydney economy. An estimated 2,700 full-time jobs and a staggering 11,300 person-years of employment are projected to be generated during the construction phase alone.

Once operational, the WSA and its adjacent business park are set to become the nucleus of Western Sydney's employment landscape, providing abundant opportunities for the local workforce.?

The proposed airport would create jobs for a range of workers with various skill levels and qualifications, including as baggage handlers, ground staff and engineers, as well as jobs in supporting industries like security, catering, retail, warehousing, administration, communications and IT.?

The anticipated figures of 8,730 direct employees by 2031 and a whopping 61,500 by 2063 within the airport's ecosystem paint a vivid picture of the economic transformation this aviation giant promises.

Revolutionising Accessibility and Lifestyle

With the promise of an ultra-modern airport comes a dramatic shift in accessibility. No longer will Western Sydney residents face arduous journeys to distant workplaces. The airport's strategic location means more jobs, more accessibility, and, inevitably, a reimagining of the way people live and work in the region.

As the airport gears up to welcome millions of passengers annually, a surge in population—17,900 strong—is anticipated in Western Sydney. This influx will redistribute the demographic landscape, breathe life into areas previously on the periphery, and reshape the very fabric of the region.

From Sky to Street

The real estate realm isn't immune to the airport's gravitational pull. As the airport solidifies its status as an economic powerhouse, its sphere of influence stretches to the property market. The notion of a more connected, accessible, and prosperous Western Sydney enhances the appeal of the area for both homeowners and investors.?

The projected increase in population density for areas like Penrith, the Blue Mountains, Blacktown, and Camden speaks volumes about the transformative potential of the Western Sydney Airport.

Investors are currently on a treasure hunt, using their savvy to unearth golden opportunities. The treasure: Short-term rental abodes near the airport for globe-trotters. They're also eyeing properties that could transform into cosy nests for the Western Sydney Airport crew, airline staff, and commercial suppliers.?

Although in the short term some properties directly under the flightpath may be impacted, once this low level noise becomes more normalised, investors that play real estate roulette and snatch up property while others are playing a game of 'flee the neighbourhood', might just snag a real estate steal.? And come the time when the local populace has made peace with the aerial ballet overhead, these property prices could well be on a staggering upward trajectory.

The Skyline of Tomorrow

As the hub takes shape, it promises a rebalancing act, bringing jobs closer to home, infusing fresh life into communities, and sculpting a more accessible, greener, and economically vibrant Western Sydney.?

The Western Sydney Airport isn't just about planes taking flight; it's about elevating an entire region to new economic heights

The Western Sydney Airport promises more than just travel—it promises a transformation of landscapes, lifestyles, and economies, all converging toward a brighter future.

As the airport takes shape, its influence ripples through the very fabric of Western Sydney, propelling it into a new era of connectivity, prosperity, and innovation.