Western Sydney Airport has begun searching for a construction contractor to build the terminal precinct.
The contract will involve building Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport’s international and domestic passenger terminal precinct, baggage handling system, security system, IT network and aerobridges.
The terminal will need to be able to handle up to 10 million passengers per year and will be designed for modular expansion as demand increases to avoid disruption to passengers and airlines.
Earlier in the year, Western Sydney Airport began a design competition to find the precinct’s design. Five shortlisted architectural teams have been shortlisted as a result of that process and submissions are now being assessed. The winner of the contest is expected to be appointed by the end of the year, where the first concept designs for the terminals will be released.
Western Sydney Airport CEO, Graham Millett, said registrations of interest are expected from both Australian and global consortia as construction firms make their pitch to be a part of the once-in-a-generation airport project.
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“Even in the context of an infrastructure boom, we’ve had a high level of interest from the market in each of the tenders we’ve released so far,” Millett said.
“The terminal will be the heart of Western Sydney International – it is the flagship of the airport and it will be a flagship project for the company that wins the contract.
“We are looking to commence engagement with the construction industry now, while we are still in the early design phase of the terminal.”
An optimised airport site layout (ASL) will help inform the detailed design process and act as the blueprint for the Airport.
The ASL aims to streamline airport operations and provide safer aircraft manoeuvring for greater efficiency and flexibility for growth.
It also creates a public plaza at the terminal entrance, which integrate the public transport interchange, including bus stops and a connection to one of Sydney Metro’s Greater West stations.
“Our updates to the ASL simplify the airport, meaning better outcomes for passengers and airline operations in terms of amenity, efficiency, access and safety,” Millett said.
“The new layout for the public plaza supports our vision for Western Sydney International as an airport that people love using, even if they’re not catching a plane.
“The plaza will be the perfect gateway to Sydney’s new airport, whether you’re being dropped off or arriving by rideshare, bus or train.”
Registrations of interest are open until 23 September 2019. The contract is expected t be awarded in 2021, with works to begin later that year. Western Sydney Airport aims to open to international, domestic and freight flights in 2026.