Sydney Airport’s proposed road changes and new hotel development at its domestic precinct can proceed after receiving federal government approval.
The Major Development Plan submitted to the federal government indicated Sydney Airport planned to build a multi-level ground transport interchange for Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 – which handle domestic flights – creating more space for public busses, coaches and cars.
Some roads would be widened and others converted to one-way only and more space created for pedestrians and cyclists as part of the development, which was expected to start immediately and take three years to complete.
The proposed works complemented the NSW Government’s efforts to improve the existing road infrastructure around the Sydney Airport precinct and add extra bus and train services.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said Sydney Airport’s traffic and transport assessment showed the existing ground transport network would struggle to cope with the anticipated growth in passenger traffic of 3.4 per cent a year, with the number of travellers forecast to rise from 36.9 million passengers in 2012 to 74.3 million passengers in 2033.
“Modelling indicates the development will smooth the flow of traffic within the precinct, easing congestion at intersections entering the airport – particularly at the main entry point at Joyce Drive and O’Riordian Street – and provide a wider range of options for airport users accessing the precinct,” Truss said in a statement on Thursday.
“Pleasingly, Sydney Airport has actively engaged with the community to shape the Major Development Plan.
“Following feedback from two public consultation periods, the airport has incorporated many improvements to the pedestrian and cycle infrastructure to better meet the expectations of airport users.”
Truss said the proposed new ground transport network and 430-room four- or five-star hotel within the domestic precinct would create 2,216 direct and 664 indirect full-time jobs during the construction period, and 151 direct and 30 indirect ongoing full-time positions once operational.
Sydney Airport had 50 days to publish the final Major Development Plan.
“We welcome the Australian Government’s approval of our MDP, which will improve passenger access, choice and convenience,” Sydney Airport chief executive Kerrie Mather said in a statement.
“We’ve worked in cooperation with the NSW Government to deliver integrated road improvements that will provide better access to and from the airport for our 38.5 million passengers a year, however they choose to travel.
“The development of a new on-airport hotel for the T2/T3 precinct will also further enhance our position as Australia’s gateway airport, provide tourism benefits, and improve choice and convenience for passengers, meeters and greeters.”
