Construction of Western Sydney Airport has reached the milestone of having moved one million cubic metres of earth on site.
Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Graham Millett said the milestone represented great progress being made on the project, which commenced in September, but that there was plenty more still to be done.
“We are one million cubic metres of earth down, meaning we still have a whopping 21 million to go,” Millett said.
“That’s enough earth to fill 8,800 Olympic Swimming pools. Leveling the hilly 1,780-hectare site is one of the biggest earth moving projects in Australian history. The difference between the highest and lowest points is equivalent to a 12-story building.”
The displaced earth will remain on site, as the amount taken off the hills is roughly equal to what is needed to fill the valleys.
The new airport will help transform Western Sydney, creating thousands of jobs during construction and even more when the airport opens, according to Millett.
“As someone who grew up in Western Sydney, this project is close to my heart and I’m proud to be on the team delivering an airport that will create so many opportunities for locals,” he said.
The airport’s full name, Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, is in honour of one of Australia’ aviation pioneers, who became a fully qualified pilot in the 1930s at the age of 19 to become the youngest Australian woman to gain a pilot’s licence.
