After months of consultation, two more METRONET projects have passed the thorough Infrastructure Australia process which gave the two projects the green light.
The Yanchep Rail Extension and Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be delivered under a single alliance contract, with a shortlist for tenderers to be announced in early 2019. The projects are backed by a joint funding arrangement between the Commonwealth and Western Australian governments.
Consistent with its assessment framework, Infrastructure Australia has positively evaluated both projects on their individual merits, confirming the WA Government’s advice that each will deliver a positive return on investment for the community.
Meanwhile, both METRONET rail extensions are now enshrined in law after State Parliament passed enabling legislation for the Yanchep Rail Extension and Thornlie-Cockburn Link projects last week.
The Railway (METRONET) Bill 2018, due to receive Royal Assent, will authorise construction of the rail infrastructure for these two projects, which will add significant capacity to Perth’s public transport network and sustainably grow our city.
The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will make travelling around the city by train more convenient and improve public transport links to Perth’s southern suburbs.
The Yanchep Rail Extension is a 14.5-kilometre project that will deliver the final section of the Joondalup rail line from Butler to Yanchep, supporting the area’s ongoing growth as well as reducing congestion on our roads.
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
“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.
“Infrastructure Australia approval and the passing of enabling legislation marks an exciting new stage for these major projects, which underpin the Government’s plans to change Perth’s public transport system and improve urban outcomes.
“This is a very busy time for public transport planning in WA and by the end of next year we will have three separate rail projects under construction, bringing our commitment to METRONET another step closer.”
