Standing in the sandstone arrivals hall of the new Western Sydney International Airport, Premier Chris Minns was dared to dream – but there was no new vision for more infrastructure in sight.
Speaking at The Daily Telegraph’s Future Western Sydney event, the Premier, who has been under pressure this week over warnings the state’s infrastructure pipeline will fall off a cliff within the decade, built a case for not overspending to correct the problem.
Mr Minns – who will have the political win of opening the airport and the Powerhouse Parramatta in this term of government – explained he had no plans to announce further mega-infrastructure projects, save for a possible surprise in the lead-up to the 2027 election.
He cautioned the government could not spend beyond its means, suggesting “well-meaning” but “naive” infrastructure projects could get the state “into serious trouble”.
When asked for his vision for the future of Western Sydney, the Premier did not mention a single new project.
“It’s important to inject a note of reality or caution when it comes to spending,” he offered instead.
“We need to be somewhat wary of undoubtedly well-meaning but sometimes naive promises made about new projects without identifying how they’ll be built and how they’ll be paid for.”
The Premier said that while he did not have “blanket opposition to new builds” nor intended to end the infrastructure pipeline, his first consideration would always be the budget bottom line.
“What it means is that when a new infrastructure idea is advocated, the question on everybody’s lips should be: ‘Look, it sounds great, but tell me how we’re going to pay for it’,” he said.
“You’re not being a killjoy or a party pooper when you ask these fundamental questions – it’s essential in ensuring that infrastructure is sustainable and that there is a long-term plan for deliverable projects.
“We’re entitled to keep a few tricks up our sleeve for the election campaign, and we’re gonna have an exciting agenda for Western Sydney, particularly around infrastructure.
“But I want to go into that election with the promise to the people of NSW that if we say we’re going to do it, we will do it.”
The Telegraph’s Future Western Sydney summit brought together leaders including Mr Minns and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss the future for the west.
Twelve years before Friday’s event, The Telegraph’s Fair Go For The West campaign had launched the argument for the $5.3bn airport that will open later this year.
The Daily Telegraph editor Ben English said that when the campaign began, the airport was a paddock and people thought the idea of a second Sydney airport was “dead and buried”.
“This majestic structure is testament to the power of debate and persuasion,” he said.
“Dreams can come true. Ambitions can be realised. Obstacles can be overcome.
“It is vital at this point, with so much about to happen, that private, corporate and government sectors do not allow such generational momentum to flag.”
In a landmark address at the summit, Mr Albanese said it was now clear that the nation’s economic and social centre of gravity had shifted to Sydney’s western suburbs.
“The opening of Western Sydney International is nothing less than an ambitious and timely reimagining of Sydney. A city that no longer has its focus locked on the CBD and harbour but is increasingly looking here,” he said.
Mr Albanese failed to spell out his vision for the growing region but promised the upcoming May budget would be his “most ambitious” yet, with plenty for Western Sydney and a focus on cost-of-living relief for families.
Mr Albanese also said the speculation that he was about to make changes to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing in the upcoming budget was “wrong” and that he would not be curbing the aspiration of mum and dad housing investors.
“I know there’s been a bit of speculation, all of it wrong,” he said.
“When people see what we’re actually going to do in the budget, people will be able to make their own assessments but I can assure you it is aimed firmly and squarely at aspiration.”
Also speaking at the event, federal opposition leader Angus Taylor warned the current government was “squandering” the growth that would undoubtedly come with the opening of the Western Sydney airport by failing to invest in new transport infrastructure.
Mr Taylor said it was crucial that transport links such as new metro lines be extended to connect the major Western Sydney hubs of Penrith, Liverpool and Campbelltown to the new airport and the rest of the city.
“Sadly, a lot of that slowed down and we’ve lost a lot of that initial momentum we had. We have to get it back. It’s so crucial,” he said.
“I’m watching this get squandered in front of our eyes. I don’t think the rezoning is happening fast enough … we don’t even know if it’s going to be Metro or heavy rail.”
Business Western Sydney executive director David Borger said the city was not ready for the massive changes that were about to happen to the west when the new international airport opened.
He said one of the biggest issues the west needed to surmount was the need for hotel rooms for the influx of people the airport would bring.
“People don’t realise how big this opportunity of this airport, of the aerotropolis, actually is,” Mr Borger said.
The Daily Telegraph’s Future Western Sydney series is supported by Western Sydney International Airport, Powerhouse Parramatta, ClubsNSW, Coronation Property, Transurban, Walker Corporation and Western Sydney University.