Station locations confirmed for airport metro line

A funding boost will ensure construction starts this year on a new Metro rail line connecting our region to the Western Sydney Airport.

 In an announcement earlier this month by the Australian and NSW Governments, the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport will receive a $3.5 billion funding boost to get the project underway, injecting billions into the local economy and creating up to 14,000 new jobs. For the first time, station locations for the $11 billion project have been identified, allowing planning and development to continue with greater certainty.

The commitment to the project is a welcome announcement for Penrith City Council, which has been a leading advocate for the new line. Previously known as the North South Rail Link, it is the headline commitment of the Western Sydney City Deal, connecting the airport and St Marys in time for the airport's opening in 2026.

The announcement confirmed six new metro stations will be built including St Marys, Orchard Hills, Luddenham, Western Sydney International Business Park, Western Sydney International Airport Terminal, and Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

St Marys will form a critical part of the project; the proposed underground interchange station connecting travellers to the rest of Sydney via the existing Sydney Trains rail network. The NSW Government has already identified St Marys as a Strategic Centre and Council is working on plans to guide investment and development in the area through further strategic work.

The inclusion of a station at Orchard Hills acknowledges the area’s potential as a mixed-use urban village of the future. A metro station in Luddenham will provide valuable transport links for a future education, innovation and commercial precinct and other innovative developments set to emerge from the Northern Gateway Precinct.

Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler OAM said "The Penrith city of the future is taking shape; this is a generational game changer". Western Sydney Airport Chair Paul O’Sullivan added that the metro "Will complement the Airport’s ability to create economic growth and opportunities for the region, creating jobs for the people of Western Sydney and providing new ways for people to get around".

Council will continue to work with Government to pursue further opportunities that the rail line will bring to the New West.

Detailed planning and environmental assessments are now being conducted by the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project team. An Environmental Impact Statement will be placed on public exhibition for feedback from the community prior to construction beginning.

For further information on Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport, visit their website and see a video of the new line here