Western Sydney International Airport

Sydney’s aviation demand is expected to double over coming decades, but the Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport is not able to accommodate this level of growth nor fulfil Sydney’s long-term needs. To bolster capacity, a new greenfield airport was proposed approximately 50 km from Sydney’s central business district in the rapidly developing western region and third largest economy in Australia.

On opening, Western Sydney International Airport will be able to cater for 10 million passengers per year and by the 2060s, it will be Sydney’s primary airport handling more than 80 million passengers per year. The airport is planned to have unrestricted 24-hour operations, delivering international, domestic and freight services.

The new airport is a large, complex project, including construction of a new 3,700 m code-F runway and associated taxiways and aprons, a 100,000 m2 terminal building and facilities, airside and landside roads, and all associated utility services.

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is being delivered and will be operated by Western Sydney Airport (WSA), a government business enterprise.

Delivering a decade of support through planning, design, and delivery

WT’s involvement in the development of the new airport began in 2014, when we were engaged to assist in developing capital cost estimates for the airport precinct. In 2017, we were appointed as cost planner to provide full cost consultancy services (pre-and post-contract).

Since then, WT has been providing a range of quantity surveying services from cost planning high-level feasibility options through to providing fully developed pre-tender estimates. Additionally, we have facilitated risk workshops and provided probabilistic risk modelling through the various stages of design. Our facilities management team has been advising on whole-of-life operational costs to assist WSA with modelling expenditure profiles. WT is also assisting WSA to explore associated commercial opportunities in and around the airport precinct.

The project was broken down into four main elements: bulk earthworks, airside pavements, landside pavements, and the terminal building. We have also been involved in a series of supplementary projects including the cargo precinct, the border agencies command centre and canine facility, and the interface with Sydney Metro.

Each of the main packages are nearing completion, and are expected to be handed over in mid-2025 in preparation for the operational readiness phase of the project.

Our continuous involvement in the project over a decade has enabled us to become a trusted adviser to our client. This relationship was strengthened by creating an embedded, integrated presence across WSA and WT offices. By being so fully involved in the project’s progress and decision-making, we were able to be agile, responsive, and proactive.

We are proud to have provided robust, reliable advice and guidance throughout a long relationship with our client that has spanned the planning, development, and delivery of this major, world-class project. When the new airport opens in late 2026, it is expected to deliver extensive new opportunities for travel, business and employment in Sydney’s west as well as supporting the growing aviation needs of the entire Sydney region. It’s an investment in a thriving, resilient future Australia.