Western Sydney Transport Infrastructure Panel: Independent Panel Report

Western Sydney2 is an economic powerhouse. It is culturally rich, geographically extensive and one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. Over the next 20 years Western Sydney will be home to more than 2.2 million3 people, with a population increase alone greater than the population of Canberra today. Growth however is not Western Sydney's primary challenge, but rather the capacity for infrastructure and services to keep up with this change. In fact, the single greatest limitation to realising Western Sydney's potential today is transport infrastructure. As Western Sydney accommodates 50% of Greater Sydney's forecast population growth (8%4 of Australia's) over the next 20 years, it will require its fair share of investment in infrastructure and services to unlock the significant economic, community and productivity benefits it has to offer. In this context, the Western Sydney Transport Infrastructure Panel (the Panel) was established in December 2022 with specific Terms of Reference to identify the strategic transport infrastructure priorities for Western Sydney (the Region) by Q2 2023. Appointed by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Anthony Albanese, and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon. Catherine King, the Panel of nine members was established to deliver on the Australian Government's 2022 election.