Two of Western Australia’s Metronet project, the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension, have been granted priority status by Infrastructure Australia (IA).
IA has placed the two projects on its Infrastructure Priority List of nationally significant investments following assessment of their business cases.
The final documents to secure federal funding for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension were formally accepted by Infrastructure Australia in August.
Federal urban infrastructure and cities minister Alan Tudge said the IA priority listing of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and the Yanchep Rail Extension was a significant milestone for the Metronet project.
“It demonstrates why the Australian Government committed $3.2 billion in the 2018–19 Budget for network shaping projects in Western Australia such as METRONET, which together are expected to generate over 20,000 jobs across the state.”
IA’s acting chief executive Anna Chau said that the two Metronet projects had been designed to address the problem of capacity constraints on Perth’s metropolitan rail network, which was previously highlighted on the Infrastructure Priority List as a Priority Initiative requiring action in the short term.
“Metronet aims to increase the capacity and reach of Perth’s metropolitan rail network. As part of the overall program, the Yanchep Rail Extension and Thornlie-Cockburn Link will enable more people to use public transport and reduce pressure on the road network – something which will become increasingly critical as the city’s population grows,” Chau said.
The Yanchep Rail Extension involves extending the Joondalup Line from Butler Station to Yanchep, with new stations planned for Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep to support population growth in the city’s north-west.
The proposed Thornlie-Cockburn Link involves the construction of two new train stations, Nicholson Road Station and Ranford Road Station, and construction of a new passenger rail corridor which follows the Midland to Kwinana freight line.
“With a stated benefit-cost ratio of 2.6 from the WA Government, IA is confident that extending the Joondalup Rail Line to this growth area will provide more transport choices for residents and reduce demand on the roads,” Chau said.
“The WA Government’s proposal to link Thornlie Station on the Armadale Line to Cockburn Central Station on the Mandurah Line will improve network connectivity and relieve pressure on existing interchanges, such as at Murdoch.
“The WA Government has stated a benefit-cost ratio of 1.2 for the project, with Infrastructure Australia’s assessment finding that the benefits of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link would marginally exceed its costs.”
WA transport minister Rita Saffioti said that IA’s approval and the passing of enabling legislation marked an exciting new stage for the Metronet projects.
“We have worked closely with Infrastructure Australia to thoroughly address their assessment criteria in demonstrating how these projects will help build a future Perth that is connected and offers people more choices for travel, housing and jobs,” Saffioti said.