The votes are in and more than three quarters of respondents have opted for High Wycombe to become the permanent name for the Forrestfield-Airport Link’s terminus station.
The new station is one of three under construction as part of the Forrestfield-Airport Link, which will also be officially rebadged the Airport Line when it becomes operational.
More than 3500 votes were cast in the community survey, in which City of Kalamunda residents and business operators were invited to choose between High Wycombe and Forrestfield for the station’s permanent name.
High Wycombe was the runaway winner, with 76.1 per cent opting to name the station after the suburb in which it is located.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said it was fantastic to have community involvement and local ownership of the city-shaping METRONET.
“Thousands of people will use METRONET for years to come, stripping endless cars off Perth roads and busting congestion,” Mr Tudge said.
“But in the short term we are making sure that critical infrastructure is on track in Perth and across WA, creating jobs for hard working West Australians as we make our way out of the COVID pandemic.”
WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said that there was overwhelming local community support to change the name to High Wycombe Station.
“Asking members of the community to be part of the naming decision for both Redcliffe and High Wycombe stations allows those who will use the new Airport Line the opportunity to have their say before the line opens.
“It’s pleasing to see the progress on the new High Wycombe Station, which will be a jewel in the crown for the wider City of Kalamunda community and an important piece of infrastructure for decades to come.
“The start of construction for the car park is another step towards completion of the station precinct and will provide a further boost for local jobs.”
Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons said he was pleased that the new name had been chosen by the local community.
“The station name of High Wycombe reflects the feedback from the community that I have
had since 2017,” Mr Irons said.
“Everyone I have heard from were overwhelming in support of naming the station High Wycombe, reflecting its geographical location.”
State Member for Forrestfield Stephen Price MLA said the name of the station has been topical since the commencement of the project.
“As a strong advocate for my community to be able to have their say I’m pleased that so many people took part in the community survey,” he said.
“I look forward to the completion of the High Wycombe Train Station in 2021.”
The $1.86 billion METRONET project will connect Perth’s eastern suburbs to the CBD via Bayswater, with new stations at Redcliffe, Airport Central and High Wycombe. Trains are expected to start running in late 2021.
Meanwhile, construction has started on High Wycombe Station’s multi-deck car park.
The new car park, which is being built by West Australian company Melchor under contract to Salini Impregilo-NRW Joint Venture, will include more than 1200 parking bays and support 60 local jobs during construction.
The car park was updated from at-grade parking to a multi-deck design to improve station access for passengers and free up eight hectares of land for future development.
While construction on the car park is in its early stages, other work on the station is well-progressed, including fit-out of escalators, lifts and station rooms, and final touches on the station’s main roof and skylights.
