The Federal Government’s election commitment to fund $1 billion to secure rail corridors connecting south-western Sydney to the new Western Sydney International Airport will keep skilled rail jobs here and unlock more affordable housing, says the Australasian Railway Association (ARA).

The ARA CEO Caroline Wilkie today welcomed the announcement saying it would provide the certainty the rail industry needs to continue investing in the skilled workforce and capital needed to deliver a future world-class passenger rail network for all of Sydney.

“The ARA is very pleased to see this critical decision to commit to securing land for future rail corridors to support a south-western rail extension to connect to the new Western Sydney International Airport,” Ms Wilkie said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced today at a 2025 Airport City Summit at Warwick Farm in Sydney that, if re-elected, his government would invest $1 billion to preserve land corridors to facilitate the building of future rail extensions from Bradfield to Leppington and to the Macarthur region.

“This announcement demonstrates what we already know – that investment in rail delivers huge economic, environmental and social benefits, as we have seen with the successful Sydney Metro.

“Closing the rail loop and connecting the new Western Sydney International Airport will support future growth in the entire Western Sydney region, unlock much-needed housing supply and contribute to net zero targets by getting more people on rail.

“While this funding is to preserve land and planning, the ARA hopes that it will quickly translate to constructing a much-needed south-west rail link to the new airport and properly service the fast-growing region.”

Ms Wilkie said this project will also help smooth the rail investment pipeline, which is critical to support effective planning for suppliers and contractors.

“Governments must work together across states and territories to create a consistent, transparent rail investment pipeline that prioritises national infrastructure needs over short-term political gains,” Ms Wilkie said.

“Otherwise, transitioning rail suppliers into other industries is a costly and inefficient process. The loss of these capabilities will have long-term effects on the economy, making it difficult to reestablish these skills.

“Further, investment in rail projects future-proofs communities along the rail corridor, delivering economic, social, safety and environmental benefits, along with thousands of new jobs and affordable homes,” said Ms Wilkie.