A contract variation with the SI-NRW joint venture means the McGowan Government can have a multi-storey carpark at the new Forrestfield Station in Perth’s east, capable of housing up to 1,200 vehicles.
Forrestfield is one of three new stations being built as part of the Forrestfield-Airport Link, a new 8.5-kilometre rail spur off the Midland Line.
A recent contract variation with the Salini Impregilo/NRW Civil & Mining joint venture building the Link means a sprawling ground-level carpark planned at Forrestfield will now be replaced with a multi-storey carpark, the WA Government said on Tuesday.
The carpark will cost $32 million, covered by the project’s contingency budget.
State transport minister Rita Saffioti said the station would allow extra space for mixed-use developments.
“This is a smart solution that enables more development opportunities close to the train station, while also catering for some of the wider Hills catchment who may want to drive to the new station,” Saffioti said.
“Once the Forrestfield-Airport Link is built, there will also be a network of feeder bus services leading to the train station.”
Member for Forrestfield Stephen Price said the change responded to strong desire from commuters for transit-oriented development.
“In this case, we’ve been able to adapt the former government’s plan to make this important public space more liveable and connected for the people,” Price said.