WA Labor has extended its push to win over voters ahead of the March election, committing to have the Morley-Ellenbrook rail line under construction in 2019.
The opposition Labor Party, which will look to overthrow the Liberals at the state election on March 11, said earlier this month it would commit to a range of rail extensions, rollingstock and new and improved infrastructure as part of its Metronet plan.
On Thursday, Labor leader Mark McGowan furthered this commitment, saying his party would have Morley-Ellenbrook, a proposed 21-kilometre spur line, underway by 2019.
McGowan says the project – which is not yet part of Infrastructure Australia priority list – will cost $863 million.
It will include the construction of six new stations: Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Bennett Springs, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook.
If work gets underway in 2019, McGowan says the line will be ready to go by 2022.
“WA Labor will build Metronet, and we will build the rail line to Ellenbrook, creating local jobs that go to Western Australians first,” McGowan said.
“The new rail line will service the fast-growing north-eastern suburbs and it will connect thousands of people across Perth suburbs to jobs in the Malaga employment hub.”
He said rail line would also take pressure off the existing Joondalup Line and Midland Line, with local residents no longer forced to drive long distances to their nearest station.
“WA Labor’s comprehensive plan includes road, rail and better bus services to tackle congestion and create jobs,” McGowan concluded.