Road plan for new airport 'flawed and shortsighted,' critics say

Liverpool City Council (LCC) is urging the New South Wales government to reconsider a $1.4 billion road upgrade project in Western Sydney, labeling the current design as "flawed and short-sighted." The council contends that the proposed plan will necessitate the demolition of approximately 90 homes. Furthermore, some infrastructure experts have voiced concerns, stating the project is out of sync with the government's stated transport and housing objectives.

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flawed and short-sighted

The government's plan aims to widen the heavily congested Fifteenth Avenue in Liverpool to improve traffic flow and accommodate rapid housing growth, with construction slated to begin later this year. This project is envisioned as the initial phase of a long-term transport corridor linking Liverpool to the Western Sydney International Airport and Bradfield. However, Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has put forth an alternative proposal, asserting it will better serve the community at a reduced cost.

Mayor Mannoun stated, "We have a solution that saves money, protects homes, and delivers better infrastructure." The current plan, developed by Transport for NSW and funded by federal and state governments, involves widening the road to include two traffic lanes in each direction, along with additional turning lanes at intersections. The design prioritizes wide car lanes and median strips for fast-moving traffic, but notably omits dedicated bus or bike lanes, despite including footpaths and bus stops.

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We have a solution that saves money, protects homes, and delivers better infrastructure.

Under LCC's alternative proposal, lower traffic speeds would enable narrower traffic lanes, creating space for dedicated bus lanes in both directions. "Your lanes can become a little bit narrower, which then creates room down the middle to actually put another two lanes in," Cr Mannoun explained. "It's actually that simple to do." While the council acknowledges the government's funding, Mayor Mannoun noted that the current plan only provides a two-lane road in each direction. The council estimates its plan would incur an additional $239 million but would yield future savings by eliminating the need for further widening works.

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Your lanes can become a little bit narrower, which then creates room down the middle to actually put another two lanes in. It's actually that simple to do.

Transport for NSW indicates that a potential second stage of the project would involve further widening to construct dedicated bus lanes, a move LCC claims would cost an additional $1 billion and require demolishing about 90 properties, including newly built homes. "No family should lose their home because of a design that we already know is flawed and short-sighted," Cr Mannoun declared. "We want things done once, we want things done properly." The local Labor state member, Leppington MP Nathan Hagarty, however, suggested the situation is more complex than the mayor portrays, questioning Liverpool council's project delivery track record.

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No family should lose their home because of a design that we already know is flawed and short-sighted. We want things done once, we want things done properly.