Multiplex has completed construction of the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) terminal in Badgerys Creek. The project marks Sydney’s first major airport build in over a century and will be the city’s only 24-hour airport.
Delivered for Western Sydney Airport Corporation, the terminal was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and COX Architecture. Spanning four levels, it is built to accommodate up to 10 million passengers a year.
Multiplex worked closely with consultants including Airbiz and Woods Bagot to refine the terminal and surrounding infrastructure, improving overall performance and enhancing the passenger experience. Construction planning ran in parallel with early site works to ensure delivery remained on schedule and within budget.
“Western Sydney International Airport is a once-in-a-lifetime project,” said David Ghannoum, NSW regional managing director at Multiplex. “The completion of this highly technical build is also a significant milestone for Multiplex as the largest project we have delivered in New South Wales in [our] 60-plus-year history.”
Construction spanned nearly four years and created thousands of jobs. At its peak, more than 2,000 people were on site, with over half of the workforce coming from Western Sydney. More than 60 local subcontractors, consultants and suppliers contributed to the project, with contracts exceeding $400 million in total.
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WSI CEO Simon Hickey said the new terminal will redefine the airport experience in Australia.
“WSI will give our global city a 24-hour international gateway that will continue to create significant economic opportunities for all of Greater Sydney,” said Hickey.
Several construction innovations helped maintain project momentum. Levels 2 and 3 of the terminal were built using the Slimdek 210 flooring system – a locally made composite steel frame developed by BlueScope Steel. The system reduced the amount of concrete and labour required and allowed installation of the baggage handling system to begin months ahead of schedule. Multiplex also used a prefabricated service riser system, enabling each terminal core to be installed in a single day.
The project also delivered long-term benefits for the community. Multiplex partnered with Penrith TAFE to establish the Western Sydney Airport Connectivity Centre, supporting local jobseekers and offering training pathways to trade and aviation-related roles. The centre has facilitated 381 work placements for First Nations people since its launch.
Multiplex also ran a suite of programs to promote construction careers in local schools. More than 550 students from 21 high schools and 11 primary schools across Western Sydney took part in its Jump Start, Jump Start Trades and Jump Start Juniors initiatives.