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Major Earthworks for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport

2024 National Infrastructure Awards Finalist

Major Earthworks for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport


Major Earthworks for Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport

The project saw approximately 27 million cubic metres of material excavated and strategically placed to set the foundation of the Airport’s construction. The project enabled the development of essential airport components, including the runway, passenger terminal, and drainage network. At the peak of delivery, over 250 heavy-earthmoving machines were involved in moving more than approximately one million cubic metres of earth a month. 

The Panel highlighted the on-time delivery of one of the largest earthmoving projects ever undertaken in Australia and utilisation of repurposed construction waste. The project successfully overcame three years of elevated rainfall and achieved a 15 per cent reduction in carbon emissions through the use of efficient construction practices. The panel further noted successful risk management associated with landscape changes, with the Joint Venture successfully reducing site water catchments from 16 to five.