Engineering, Passenger Rail

Metronet business cases sent to IA

Perth B-series train. Credit: Creative Commons / DBZ2313

The WA Government has submitted business cases for two new train lines to Infrastructure Australia, as part of Premier Mark McGowan’s Metronet program.

McGowan announced on Monday the Metronet team was considering a 13.8 kilometre extension of the Joondalup Line to Yanchep, and a 17.5 kilometre connection between Thornlie and Cockburn stations, with the new business cases.

“The package of Metronet projects represents one of the most ambitious public transport and planning initiatives in Western Australian history,” the premier said.

“This is a plan that will revolutionise travel in Perth while creating countless jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for Western Australians.”

The current plan for the Yanchep extension includes three new stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep. The Thornlie Line Extension currently includes new station at Nicholson Road, and Ranford Road, in Canning Vale.

An industry briefing was held on July 26, so local engineering and design consultancies could become familiar with Metronet’s land use strategies, priorities, timeframes and likely scopes of work, transport minister Rita Saffioti said.

The Metronet team also recently held a community forum to gauge local views on the Thornlie Line Extension.

“The McGowan Government is getting on with delivering our Metronet projects as quickly as possible,” Saffioti said.

“Projects of this scale require significant planning, legislative changes and approvals, and we’re determined to be on the front foot with our stage one Metronet projects.”

The Government will soon be issuing its first two Metronet tenders, to assist with the business cases and project definition reports for the proposed Karnup Station and bus depot, along with the new Midland and Bellevue stations.

“We are … keen to provide opportunities for local businesses with the capability to help us plan and develop these projects, so they can be planned effectively, delivered quickly and built well, in WA, for the benefit of our community,” Saffioti concluded.