NSW awards third and final major contract for Sydney Metro-Western Sydney Airport project

Sydney, Australia (Urban Transport News): The North South Wales (NSW) Government has selected  Parklife Metro consortium to deliver the Stations, Systems, Trains, Operations and Maintenance (SSTOM) contract for the joint Australian and NSW Government project.

The contract includes the delivery of six new stations between St Marys and the new Aerotropolis, 12 new metro trains, core rail systems and the stabling and maintenance facility to be built at Orchard Hills. Parklife Metro will also operate and maintain the Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport line for 15 years after it becomes operational.

The SSTOM contract has the largest scope of any Sydney Metro contract awarded so far, and is the largest Public Private Partnership (PPP) awarded in New South Wales.

The contract includes 12 new metro trains, six new stations between St Marys and the new Aerotropolis, core rail systems and the stabling and maintenance facility to be built at Orchard Hills.  

Parklife Metro comprises Plenary Group as sponsor, financial arranger, commercial adviser, SPV manager and 60% investor; Siemens Mobility as sponsor and D&C contractor, Siemens Financial Services via Siemens Project Ventures as sponsor and 20% investor; Webuild as sponsor, D&C contractor and 10% investor; and RATP Dev as sponsor, O&M contractor and 10% investor.

"Today, the team and I celebrated the award of the Project’s last major pacakge. As the State’s largest ever PPP awarded, the contract close marks a significant milestone and represents hours of commitment from our people! A great way to see out the year. Our project will be the first ever rail infrastructure project in Australian history to commit to being carbon neutral from construction through to operations," commented Ms. Angela Jeffery, Project Director, Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport.

"We’re very excited to be working with Parklife Metro consortium comprising of RATP Dev, whose parent company operates Paris Metro, Plenary Origination, Webuild and Siemens Mobility to deliver 6 Stations, 23kms of linewide systems, 12 trains and O&M over a 15 year term,"she added.

Parklife Metro Chair Paul Oppenheim said the public-private partnership has brought together four world-class organisations to partner with Sydney Metro.

“Our collective international experience will ensure the latest and best technologies and innovations are applied to Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport. In addition to the amazing passenger experience provided through the trains and the stations and their surrounding precincts, we will also deliver a host of benefits to the local economy during construction, sourcing from local businesses and creating local jobs," said Parklife Metro Chair Paul Oppenheim.

“Another highlight is the sustainability-linked debt financing arranged for the project. The cost of debt financing is linked to the project achieving and maintaining best-practice industry participation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation and environmentally-sustainable outcomes. We look forward to delivering such a city-changing project, one that will bring further momentum to the significant transformation taking place in Western Sydney,” Oppenheim added.

The Australian and NSW governments have the shared objective of having Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport operational when Western Sydney International is open for passenger services.

The awarding of the final contract coincides with another significant project milestone, with Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport becoming the first rail infrastructure project in Australian history to commit to being certified carbon-neutral from the start of construction through to operation. 

All carbon emissions generated during construction and operation will be reduced and offset. 

Plenty of activity is already underway as part of this mega project, including preparations at the future Aerotropolis Station for tunnelling from the airport to the Aerotropolis site, which will commence in 2023.

"This project will help shape the future of the vibrant and growing Greater Western Sydney region and connect commuters and travellers with the new Western Sydney International Airport, providing major economic stimulus and supporting more than 14,000 jobs during construction," said the statement issued by NSW Govt.

“We are excited to win and deliver this important project to help connecting communities and travellers with the new Western Sydney International Airport and the growing region. This project will give the people of Sydney sustainable transport with new rail services, offering quick, reliable and CO2-free journeys. We will provide the full suite of our latest digital technology, platforms and portfolio solutions. Our Railigent X digital asset management applications will ensure highest reliability and availability of the assets,” said Michael Peter, CEO Siemens Mobility.