A telecommunications mast has been removed as part of early preparations for the development of the new Ellenbrook station precinct in north-eastern Perth.
The 88-metre mast, used for Dampier to Bunbury gas pipeline telecommunications, was removed last week as it was deemed an obstacle to both commercial and residential development in the area and the future station development.
It’s removal also opens up the northern end of a public transit corridor running between Reid Highway and the Ellenbrook town centre. This is to support planning and route alignment studies for the Morley-Ellenbrook Metronet rail line.
“It is absolutely brilliant that the telecommunications tower has been moved so quickly,” Labor’s member for Swan Hills Jessica Shaw.
“These are the first works to be completed at the future Ellenbrook Station site. Along with the Lord Street duplication, this is laying the foundations for the train line to Ellenbrook.
“This is the missing piece for our town. The station precinct will transform Ellenbrook, creating business opportunities and jobs for local residents.”
The $5 million-dollar removal was carried out by Main Roads Western Australia, the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) and the Public Transport Authority.
Transport minister Rita Saffioti said there was a great deal of “behind the scenes” work enabling the transition from the planning phase of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line project to the planned start of construction in 2019.
“We have had community forums, surveys and awarded tenders for the design and engineering services – the project has a lot of momentum and community support,” Saffioti said.
“The removal of the tower frees up important land in the Ellenbrook town centre for a future train station precinct that all residents can enjoy.”
A potential option under that will be under consideration in the early planning for the Morley-Ellenbrook project is a 21km spur line from the existing Midland Line just east of Bayswater Station to connect communities in Morley, Noranda, Malaga, Bennett Springs, Whiteman and Ellenbrook.
Further momentum for the project has come from the federal government’s recently announced commitment of $500 million for the development of the new rail line as part of an overall $1.05 billion Metronet package to be delivered in the 2018-19 Commonwealth budget.