Millions of Sydney Airport passengers each year will have a greener experience after Australia’s busiest airport officially opened its T1 international arrivals forecourt.
With the project, Sydney Airport not only hopes to deliver a better experience for millions of customers but also make an eco-friendly impact by bringing a bit of nature into a normally austere airport setting.
Part of a nearly $3 billion investment in new projects across the hub over the next five years, the forecourt boasts a 3,000 sqm green space featuring over 12,000 native plants (including 45 different species), 10,000 sqm of new paving, 8,500 sqm of new roof sheeting, hundreds of new LED lights, and also dozens of new seating benches, tables and chairs.
Natural beauty
Nearly two years in the making, the new forecourt utilises sustainable building materials, and native trees, plants and grasses to maximise its positive environmental impact.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said the new space showcases Sydney’s “natural beauty”.
“When construction on the forecourt began in 2021, Australia’s border was still firmly shut and our international terminal was a ghost town, but we pressed ahead knowing the recovery would come,” he stated.
“International travel is now thriving again and we’re likely to see more than 7 million arriving passengers through our new forecourt this year alone, with millions more to follow in the coming years.
“The large ‘SYD’ sign has already become one of our most popular selfie spots, and we love that many tourists’ first photo in Australia showcases our stunning new forecourt.”
Culbert also lauded “the inspiring team from Wildflower Gardens for Good” for planting the native gardens, saying “it’s a privilege to have them continue on as custodians”.
“We are proud to have an ongoing partnership with this First Nations led organisation that’s empowering youth through employment and strengthening our own connection to country.”
Meanwhile, NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham said the new forecourt will be “the front door to Australia for millions of visitors”.
“When they arrive, they will be greeted by this unique, new experience filled with Australian nature and art,” he added.
“It’s encouraging to see Sydney Airport investing in innovative projects like this that have created jobs and will enhance the tourism experience in NSW.”
Indigenous input
Significantly, the new forecourt embedded many First Nations perspectives into its design, construction and maintenance.
“Being able to plant and care for the gardens in such a high-profile site is a source of pride for our young mob,” said Jasmin Speedy, a board member of Wildflower Gardens for Good, an Indigenous-led not-for-profit organisation that planted more than 12,200 native species throughout the forecourt.
“It takes genuine support to make meaningful change and as one of our first major partners, we really value our ongoing alliance with Sydney Airport.”
Last month, Sydney Airport reached almost 90 per cent of its June 2019 passenger traffic numbers, with more than three million travellers passing through its domestic and international terminals.
Sydney Airport also announced it is on the hunt for a new boss after Culbert said he would be stepping down at the end of the year.
