The first concept design of the Western Sydney Airport Visitor Centre has been revealed, following the awarding of the construction contract to Australian construction company Watpac.
The Visitor Centre will play a pivotal education role for the local community throughout the construction of the $5.3 billion airport that has been made a reality by the Coalition government.
Alan Tudge, minister for cities, urban infrastructure and population, said the Visitor Centre will be at the heart of the airport throughout construction, offering community members the chance to watch the terminal and runway take shape.
“It will be a cutting-edge design and be built on site to give the community and visitors a real insight as the airport takes shape,” Tudge said.
“I’m pleased that an Australian company won the competitive tender process for what will be an important link between the people of Western Sydney and their new airport.”
Construction of the Visitor Centre is due to begin next month and will be complete by mid-2019.
The concept design has been developed to complement the local landscape, with visitors moving through an exhibition space before enjoying spectacular views of the construction project.
“The Visitor Centre would give all kinds of visitors – from locals, to community groups and school excursions, the chance to feel they’re apart of building the airport,” Tudge said.
“The Visitor Centre will use augmented reality, so your view of the site will be overlaid so you can see exactly what the terminal and runway will look like and where it will be placed.
“There will also be a digital exhibition that will tell the story of the local area, the project and the benefits the airport will deliver to Western Sydney.”
Work to build Western Sydney Airport is estimated to support around 11,000 direct and indirect jobs, with a further 28,000 within five years of the airport opening.
Local employment targets mean that at least 30 per cent of construction jobs and 50 per cent of operational airport jobs will go to Western Sydney residents.
According to Tudge, Western Sydney Airport will stimulate a new era for Western Sydney.
“The Coalition have committed up to $5.3 billion to make this revolutionary aviation project happen, as well as a further $2.9 billion to fund surrounding road projects,” Tudge said.
“Our planning with the NSW government on the toll-free M12 motorway to the airport is well advanced and the joint business case for the Sydney Metro Western Sydney Airport is underway.”
Work to build Western Sydney Airport began in September, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison giving the signal for earthmovers to move in and begin the project that has been talked about for decades.
“Western Sydney Airport is coming, and the Visitor Centre will mean the community can get up close and see it take shape before their eyes,” Tudge added.
Watpac recently won the contract to manage the construction of Adelaide Airport’s terminal expansion.