In federal parliament this week Macarthur MP Dr Mike Freelander put forward a motion calling on the government to improve the infrastructure links between the airport and the greater western Sydney area.

Ms Bird spoke in favour of the motion, highlighting that the Illawarra was in the same boat when it came to appropriate links between the airport and the region.

She felt the government was ignoring that the Illawarra could solve some of the problems generated by the airport.

One of these was the need to get cargo between ships and the airport.

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"Those opposite seem to have forgotten that they're going to have to have access for goods and products, not just people, in and out of a major development of the Western Sydney Airport," Ms Bird said.

"And if they think they're going to be able to access the inner-Sydney port consistently over that time frame, they're kidding themselves.

"There is a major port, the Port of Kembla, ready, willing and able to take on some of that task.

"There's no consideration being given by this government to our regions and the way in which we can be part of that story."

Ms Bird pointed out that groups like Illawarra Business Chamber and the Property Council have been telling the government to look at the airport's connections to Port Kembla and the Illawarra.

"We've got a highly skilled, trades-based workforce in the Illawarra and a high-quality university with major expertise in infrastructure and transport matters," Ms Bird said.

"You need to be looking at how this is part of the solution to the congestion issues that you talk about."

The Cunningham MP quoted figures from a response to a question on notice to Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Michael McCormack about federal spending on road and rail in the Illawarra.

She said of the $233.5 million in federal spending on the Maldon-Dombarton rail line and Picton and Appin roads since 2000, the bulk were Labor initiatives.

Mr McCormack office was asked by the Mercury what the government was doing to improve links between Port Kembla and the airport but a response did not directly identify a single project.

"The federal government is working with the NSW government to identify and fund priority infrastructure projects," a spokeswoman said.

"This significant investment is a crucial part of the government's strategy to bust congestion, better connect our regions, improve safety on our roads and meet our national freight challenge."