On July 28th, 2023, Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) officially opened its new T1 International arrivals forecourt. Travelers were greeted by a lush area with over 3,000 square meters of new green space featuring more than 12,200 native plants across 45 different species, many of which are endemic to New South Wales.

One of the main attractions is the SYD sign, already featured in many tourist photos, providing the forecourt with exposure while showing off its utilization. Geoff Culbert, CEO of Sydney Airport, noted that the sign has already become a famous selfie spot among tourists and that the committee is ecstatic that many tourists’ first photo in Australia shows off the results of the project.

Wildflower Gardens for Good planted and will manage the forecourt’s greenery. It is an indigenous-led non-profit organization. Jasmin Speedy, a Wildflower Gardens for Good board member, said:

“Creating native and sustainable gardens, caring for the country, and empowering our community is at the heart of what we do. 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.”

The airport will also feature the Dharwal language spoken by the Traditional Owners of Coastal Sydney in collaboration with the Gujaga Foundation.

Photo: Courtesy of Sydney International Airport

A native Banksia tree was planted in the forecourt to mark the official opening by NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, The Hon. John Graham, MLC, Jasmin Speedy, and Geoff Culbert.

When asked about the project at the press conference, The Hon. John Graham, MLC, said:

“This new international airport 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. 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.”

The 2039 Masterplan

The 2039 Masterplan is Sydney Airport’s overhaul of the premises, focusing on improving customer experience. The new forecourt is one of many improvement projects totaling more than $3 billion (AUD). Projects are also being built with sustainability, eco-friendly materials, and energy-saving technologies in design and construction.

The project began when the country was firmly under COVID-19 lockdown. But construction continued despite it because the committee was optimistic about recovery. As international travel reaches pre-pandemic levels, the new forecourt is estimated to receive seven million visitors in 2023 alone.

Photo: Courtesy of Sydney International Airport

Sydney Airport is a landmark in Australia’s aviation industry and sees more than 44 million passengers travel through the airport annually. In addition, it delivers nearly 7% of New South Wales Gross State Product and supports more than 336,000 jobs, both directly and indirectly.

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