Gateway of the future: Western Sydney International publishes inaugural Master Plan
Media Release published 06 May,2026
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) has outlined its vision for the growth of Sydney’s new 24-hour global gateway, with its endorsed Master Plan 2025-45 published today.
WSI’s Master Plan is a strategic document that outlines the airport’s key plans and broader ambitions for future development and opportunity over the next two decades.
There are four key pillars of the Plan, including:
- Introduction: Covers airport facilities and infrastructure available and provides context about the Master Plan process and the relevant legislative requirements.
- Planning context: Provides an overview of the strategic planning context and outlines the airport’s envisaged growth, including passenger and cargo forecasts.
- Sustainability: Overview of WSI’s sustainability vision and strategy.
- Forward Plans: Sets out WSI’s long-term plans for sustainable growth, including land use, airside development, terminals and aviation support, ground transport, utilities development, non-aviation development, and airport safeguarding.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey said the Master Plan is the culmination of extensive community, industry, and government consultation.
“Western Sydney International Airport’s Master Plan was released for public exhibition in June 2025 and during that consultation period we received 151 unique submissions outlining feedback for consideration,” he said.
“I thank all the organisations and community members who took the time to contribute to this important roadmap for the airport that illustrates our plans for sustainable growth to meet Sydney’s increasing aviation demand over the years ahead.”
Mr Hickey said the airport was envisioned and constructed with the future in mind, and it has been designed to support Greater Sydney’s growing population over the coming century.
“As Sydney only 24-hour domestic, international and freight airport, our Master Plan charts a pathway to greater prosperity for all of Sydney and covers a diverse depth and breadth of issues and opportunities from future aviation needs and long-term land uses to environmental management as well as flight paths and noise mitigation measures,” he said.
“What’s more, as Australia’s newest airport, we also took advantage of our unique opportunity to incorporate sustainability considerations into every aspect of design and operation, including the use of renewable energy.”
Mr Hickey said the Plan also reflects how WSI has been the catalyst for billions of dollars in broader infrastructure investments – including road and rail developments funded by state and federal governments – across Western Sydney, while also being a significant jobs creator.
“Well over 10,000 workers expended millions of hours building Western Sydney International Airport and the business will continue to help create thousands of job opportunities for local communities,” he said.
“Building upon that, our Master Plan forecasts up to 8,500 airport jobs will be required across the precinct by the time passenger numbers reach 10 million annually in the 2030s, presenting more meaningful employment opportunities for people living across Western Sydney and beyond.”
Commonwealth-leased airports are required to submit a Master Plan in accordance with the planning framework contained in the Airports Act 1996, which must then be renewed every five years to update strategic plans for the airport site and support opportunities for community engagement.
You can read and download the WSI Master Plan 2025-45. It’s also available for public inspection, free of charge, at:
- WSI Head Office, Level 3, 45 Scott Street, Liverpool 2170, or
- WSI Project Office and Experience Centre, 100 Eaton Road, Luddenham, 2745
Hard copies can also be purchased by emailing info@wsiairport.com.au.
