The first piece of the Badgerys Creek puzzle has been put into place with a surprise $1.2 billion dollar announcement for a new motorway running between Cecil Hills and Luddenham.
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The M12 proposal is a joint federal and state government project which will be a 14km stretch between the M7 and Northern Road with six lanes and is part of a larger $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan package.
Federal Lindsay MP Fiona Scott called the package a ‘‘revolution’’ which would stimulate western Sydney’s economy.
‘‘[The package] is a catalyst to link our business parks, existing and future,’’ she said.
‘‘The infrastructure plan is one of a kind; it will completely transform western Sydney by creating new transport corridors to help connect local communities.
‘‘The Federal Government is serious about freeing up western Sydney’s congested roads.’’
The Gazette was told by a RMS spokesperson the motorway would be completed by mid 2020, before the first flight leaves the airport.
Though the Bringelly Road upgrade was the first part of the WSIP package to undergo construction, the M12 is one of the most significant, said the spokesperson.
Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the roads were being built ahead of the expected population growth.
‘‘Around 1.6 million people forecast to call Sydney home in the next 20 years will live in western Sydney,’’ he said.
‘‘We’ve already made significant headway on key projects... and now we’re taking the next step to help get projects shovel ready.’’
Before construction can start, however, community consultation and significant studies will be undertaken.
The RMS spokesperson said the M12 is still in its early stages, and tenders for the construction contract will not be in the initial phases.
The consultation periods, open to the public until August 14, will consider impacts to residents and the environment.
Federal Member for MacArthur Russell Matheson said the road infrastructure took precedence over the airport.
‘‘We are funding the majority of the WSIP because we want to create jobs and upgrade the transport corridors in preparation for the airport’s opening,’’ he said.
Before construction can start, however, community consultation and significant studies to assess social and environmental impacts.
The RMS spokesperson said the M12 is still in its early stages, and tenders for the construction contract will not be in the initial phases.
Member for Camden Chris Patterson said they wanted the feedback to inform their plan.
He said the Northern Road construction will soon be underway, and there were multiple route options for future roads such as the one from Bringelly to Luddenham.
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said an interactive website, with detailed videos, will be launched to promote community engagement.
‘‘The community can determine what it means to access the upgraded roads direct from their driveway,’’ Ms Davies said.
The public forums will be located at Orchard Hills, Bringelly, Luddenham, Glenmore Park and Kemps Creek.
The community can provide feedback to the RMS or find their closest open forum at rms.gov.au or by calling 1880 703 457.
