The community is invited to have its say on the future look of the M12 Motorway, with public consultation now open on the toll-free motorway's place, design and landscape plan.
The M12 is a new 16-kilometre dual-carriageway motorway, linking Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and the Western Parkland City to the Northern Road in the west, and to the M7 in the east via Elizabeth Drive.
The design concept includes landscaping ideas, innovative Aboriginal art and also shared walking and cycling paths across 81 hectares of roadside corridor from Cecil Hills to Luddenham.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Commonwealth is investing billions of dollars in critical infrastructure across Western Sydney.
"The Morrison Government has committed $1.6 billion to deliver the M12, which is expected to create better access to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport and enable investment in job-creating industries across the region," Minister Fletcher said.
"The M12 is one of many significant infrastructure projects that the Commonwealth is funding to help attract businesses, jobs and investment to western Sydney, along with efficient transport connections and well planned urban spaces for its residents."
The centrepiece of the plan is a signature artwork inspired by the 'Great Emu in the Sky' constellation, which will be a major landmark for new visitors to the airport.
The Darug community helped reimagine how the green space along the M12 corridor could tell meaningful stories, with Aboriginal design agency Balarinji working with local Aboriginal artists to design the emu-inspired sculpture.
Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh MP, said the plan will improve the M12's connectivity with local transport links and the community.
"Easing congestion and improving safety are at the forefront of the important infrastructure upgrades we are delivering in Western Sydney, and I encourage the community to be a part of the consultation process," Ms McIntosh said.
"I want local people to spend less time in traffic, and more time building their business or being at home with their family. That's why we're investing in the road upgrades we need to improve traffic flow around our community."
New South Wales Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies MP, said 73,000 trees will be planted along the corridor, with the focus on species that are native to the area and propagated from local vegetation.
"A seed collection program started mid-2020, to optimise replanting from local species along the M12 corridor. Part of this work will also see wildlife passages preserved at Cosgrove, South, Kemps and Badgerys Creeks," Ms Davies said.
"A new shared walking and cycling path will also be a great new addition for the local community, with the path largely running along the M12 from the western end, through the Western Sydney Parklands and connecting to the M7."
The $2 billion M12 project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and New South Wales Government on an 80:20 basis and is expected to support up to 2,400 jobs during construction.
