Details of new rail route between Perth and Mandurah released [Audio]

10/3/99

The State Government today released details of the route for a new railway linking Perth to Mandurah.
Unveiling the Master Plan for the South West Metropolitan Railway, Premier Richard Court said the release of the document represented another important step forward in the Government's plan to deliver a fully integrated world class public transport system that better meets the needs of the community.
Mr Court said preliminary work on the $940 million Perth to Mandurah railway would begin almost immediately with the provision of a tunnel for the railway in the realignment of Albany Highway at Kenwick.
He said the Government's selection of the 82km route from Perth to Mandurah via Kenwick and Jandakot had followed extensive research.
"A route to Mandurah via Fremantle would increase the distance and travel times of commuters and cost more. Population surveys revealed that a route via Kenwick and Jandakot would have the greatest number of passengers," Mr Court said.
"The railway, together with the construction of a Bus Transitway from Rockingham to Fremantle, extension of the Kwinana Freeway Busway to Murdoch, and the Circle Bus Route will produce a level of public transport service never before offered in Perth.

"It's estimated that more than one quarter of Perth's population will reside in the southern corridor within 20 years and as a Government we have a responsibility to plan for this growth in a way that delivers the best service to the majority of people.
"The Master Plan provides for a modern fast, high quality urban rail service offering easy access for commuters and an alternative mode of travel that will reduce dependence on private vehicles."
Detailed design work for construction of the project will start with the formation of a dedicated project management team, which is now in hand.

Mr Court said the Government had previously committed to the construction of the railway to Jandakot by 2005. However, it's estimated that construction of the railway to Mandurah could be completed as early as 2007 and funding options to facilitate this were currently being considered.
"Research shows us that by 2006 patronage of the new railway could be similar to that currently experienced on the Northern Suburbs Railway and every effort is being made to meet that demand," the Premier said.
Transport Minister Murray Criddle said the South West Metropolitan Railway would bring to the people of the southern suburbs the benefits of rapid rail transport enjoyed by people in other residential corridors of Perth.
"Transit stations along the determined route will be designed to enable easy access by all passengers and the trains themselves will be more modern and faster than those currently used in Perth," the Minister said.
"This means that a larger number of people will be able to easily access the entire metropolitan region using public transport."
Part of the route for the new railway will be constructed down the middle of the Kwinana Freeway from north of Berrigan Drive to south of Anketell Road.

The Minister said the Government's endorsement of the Master Plan would impact on the tendering process for the construction of five overpasses along the Kwinana Freeway.
"The new railway line will require significant changes to the designs for the overpasses including entry and exit ramps and new tenders will need to be called," the Minister said.
Mr Court said the Master Plan had specified a number of options in the provision of a future rail service to Rockingham.
"A series of public meetings will be held to determine the preferred option from those presented in the plan," the Premier said.
A special hotline has been established by the Government for people wanting more information about the Master Plan for the South West Metropolitan Railway.
The hotline number is 9231 2705.
The plan has been released for public information for a period of 10 weeks.
Media contact: Bronwyn Hillman 9222 9475