The Western Sydney Airport Metro is a 23 km driverless transit line currently under construction in Sydney’s far west, that will link St Marys on the T1 with the new Western Sydney International Airport at Badgerys Creek. However, many have questioned why exactly its construction was prioritised over what could have otherwise been a roughly 14 km extension to the South-West Rail Link from Leppington to the new airport. This extension would have been shorter and cheaper, potentially allowing for direct access between both of Sydney’s airports while also linking the airport to communities closest to the airport, such as Liverpool and Leppington. In this video, I’ll discuss why the government’s choice to not extend the South-West Rail Link was misguided, and also explain just why I believe there remains hope for redemption.

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Links:
Google Drive folder filled with all the reports discussed in this video and more: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a6byq1eizJ5S3euruwrlr9vouTXS0fe4?uspdrive_link
The main scoping report that is discussed in this video (March 2018): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_kxMlwjPdy4O5iYx_3D-s5mPb6ps9abr/view?uspsharing
Aurecon’s recommendations for corridors to protect for a North-South Line and SWRL extensions: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XdMI-vVwJm4eLzyIZVBftDVG7QIFWEgm/view?uspsharing
Paul from Transport Vlog’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TransportVlog
My most recent collab with Paul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vGcy4y22W5wY
RM Transit’s video about differing electrification standards on the Sydney Metro (including my cameo!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?vb3g2YgxSh3U
Western Sydney Airport Line Project Overview by Sydney Metro: https://www.sydneymetro.info/westernsydneyairportline
Media release declaring planning for a metro extension from Aerotropolis to Glenfield is underway: https://www.sydneymetro.info/article/planning-metro-extension-linking-glenfield-western-sydney-aerotropolis-underway
Warren Truss states /”not enough passengers to justify rail link initially/”: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-19/badgerys-creek-western-sydney-airport-draft-plans-detailed/6865718
Malcolm Turnbull declares Badgerys Creek Airport will have a rail link: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/fairgowest/fair-go-for-the-west-turnbull-commits-to-badgerys-creek-airport-fast-rail-network/news-story/41a9b4c0bb91f201745cd3b288a57b73
News article about lack of rapid bus links to the new airport: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/workers-left-waiting-for-bus-links-to-new-sydney-airport-20230820-p5dxxv.html
Orchard Hills Draft Plan: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/draftplans/under-consideration/orchard-hills

Music:
90s Energy by Lumen Media
All That by Bensound
Luxury by Fugu Vibes
Dat Groove by Audionautix
Joy Of Silence by Basspartout
HoliznaCC0 – Thoughts Growing Mold
The 80s by Summer Loops
Another Day by Kesta

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