Design & construction
areas should ease the pressure on the roads and encourage public transport use. Western Sydney Airport will have two Sydney Metro train stations – one at the airport’s business park and one at the passenger terminal.
There will also be a new toll-free motorway linking the airport to key commuter suburbs. In addition, billions of dollars are being spent upgrading Western Sydney’s feeder roads so they will be able to cope with the extra traffic the airport will generate. Minimising delays and reducing congestion are crucial in a city heavily reliant on motor transportation.
Environmental ambition
Building a new airport, of course, comes with unique challenges as the industry looks to reduce its environmental impact in the face of the existential threat that climate change poses. McCormack is adamant that green goals are front and centre. That’s hardly surprising given that airports worldwide are needing to convince a more environmentally aware public of their green credentials. “We are building an airport for western Sydney’s future, which is why we are focused on sustainability and minimising the impact of the airport on the environment,” he says. “Sustainable design, energy efficiency and circular economy principles are key considerations. When it comes to our airfield, which includes the 3.7km runway, rapid-exit taxiways, 3,000 aeronautical ground lights and more than 40km of airside roads, we’ll be using recycled and reused content where appropriate.”
That includes recycled road base, asphalt product and glass, as well as reduced carbon materials in concrete. Millions of tonnes of crushed sandstone from road and rail tunnelling projects across Sydney will also be used as a high-strength foundation to support the construction of the runway, taxiways and roads.
LED lights will be used for all aeronautical ground lighting. “This ensures significant energy savings across the airfield and a significantly longer design life, meaning less frequent replacement required,” McCormack says.
The airport will use a digital addressable lighting interface, meaning the LED lights can be individually controlled to facilitate optimal wayfinding on the airfield. All non-aeronautical ground lighting will also be LED, providing further energy and material savings.
The design of the airfield will also drive sustainability outcomes by reducing fuel burn and other costs by slashing taxi and holding times. In terms of the terminal design, efficient lighting and air conditioning systems will provide superior energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Future Airport /
www.futureairport.com
The airport has its sights set on an ‘excellent’ rating from the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia, the industry body pushing for better carbon emissions and waste outcomes in development. This will be a delicate balancing act, with sustainability needing to align with technical and safety requirements. The airport and its systems will be subject to rigorous performance testing prior to use.
“There are strong rules around the sustainability standards we must meet, but we are looking for opportunities to go further in ensuring the airport represents a commitment to future generations,” McCormack says.
Looking ahead, he notes that consideration has also been given to how emerging technologies – including electric and hybrid-electric aircraft – can be integrated in the future. Sydney’s second airport represents a bold and ambitious aviation project that comes at a time when the industry’s environmental impact is – more than ever – under the microscope. Yet Australia’s vast size and geographical isolation means it will inevitably remain reliant on aviation to stay connected both internationally and domestically. Western Sydney Airport provides a unique opportunity to demonstrate how sustainable innovation and customer centricity can contribute to a better future for air travel. ●
80
The passenger terminal has been designed with sustainability in mind.
million
Passengers will pass through the airport annually by 2063, increasing incrementally year-on-year.
Western Sydney Airport 13
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport
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