It’s set to be Sydney’s new 24-hour gateway to the world and now Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) has been named Project of the Year at the 2026 Sydney Awards.

WSI is set to service one of the country’s fastest growing and multicultural regions, connecting Sydneysiders to family, friends and opportunities across the globe.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said: “After decades of discussion, then years of planning and construction, the doors of Western Sydney’s new international airport are almost ready to open to passengers.

“This project has always been bigger than an airport. It connects Western Sydney to the world, providing countless new opportunities for industry and tourism.”

“The new airport also means Western Sydney residents have more employment and travel opportunities, right in their backyard.”

WSI CEO Simon Hickey said: “Today, more than half of the people living in Sydney are west of Parramatta. Western Sydney is one of the nation’s fastest growing and most diverse regions with over a million people moving into the area since 2016.

“Looking forward another decade, WSI is set to supercharge this region, offering unprecedented opportunities for jobs and investment.”

“Another global gateway to service Sydney’s burgeoning population has been talked about for most of my lifetime. We’ve always known that, as Sydney grows, we’ll need more aviation capacity to service both travel and trade demands.

“It’s a great privilege to be at the helm of WSI as we rapidly approach opening day on October 25, an achievement which is a testament to the many thousands of workers over several decades who’ve helped make this ambitious project a reality.”

Committee for Sydney CEO Eamon Waterford said: “Western Sydney International Airport is a project that is reshape the geography of our city, making it easier for people to travel in and out of Western Sydney for decades to come.

“Its impact is already being felt – and it hasn’t even opened to passengers yet. It’s exactly the type of city-shaping project that should be named Project of the Year.”

Macquarie Business School Executive Dean Professor Leonie Tickle said: “Western Sydney International Airport is going to be a game changer for Sydney, connecting people around the world to their families, friends,  cultures and heritages. It’s fantastic to see this piece of infrastructure delivered for the west.”

Aqualand Group Head Development Ian Devereux said: “We are delighted to congratulate Western Sydney Airport on being named the Project of the Year 2026.

“The airport is a landmark investment in Sydney’s future, bringing the world to Western Sydney and Western Sydney to the world. It will transform the region’s social and economic landscape into a vibrant, connected place to live and work, and an important economic engine for NSW.”

Once complete, the airport will initially service up to 10 million passengers a year but has been designed to expand with additional terminals over the years ahead, in line with demand. 

As Sydney’s only 24-hour airport, Western Sydney International will eventually be able to service up to 80 million annual passengers in the 2060s.

“WSI is the most transformational piece of infrastructure our city has seen since the Sydney Harbour Bridge,” Mr Hickey said.

“It’s been the catalyst for billions of dollars of additional infrastructure investment and ultimately this will connect the west to the west, and the west to the rest, like never before.”

The winners of the annual Sydney Awards – celebrating the people and projects making Sydney the best city to live, work and play – were announced at a black-tie gala ceremony at Crown Sydney. 

The 2026 recipients were:

Sydneysider of the Year—David Gonski AC, Chancellor Emeritus, UNSW

Young Sydneysider of the Year—Darian Brooker, CEO, We, Future Leaders

Unsung Hero—Erin Longbottom, National Director of Homelessness at St Vincent's Health Australia

Local Project of the Year—The GreenWay by Inner West Council

Project of the Year—Western Sydney International Airport

People Choice—Sharath Mahendran, creator of YouTube channel Building Beautifully

The judging panel for the 2026 awards included:

  • Deputy Premier of NSW Prue Car MP
  • Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane MP
  • The Daily Telegraph Head of News Zac McLean
  • Macquarie Business School Executive Dean Prof. Leonie Tickle
  • Airbnb Country Manager, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania Susan Wheeldon
  • Blacktown City Council CEO Kerry Robinson OAM
  • Plate it Forward Founder & CEO Shaun Christie-David
  • Full Stop Australia CEO Karen Bevan.

Learn more here.