The McGowan Labor Government has today announced the route and station locations for the much anticipated Morley-Ellenbrook Line, another job-creating METRONET project.
For passengers travelling direct from Ellenbrook to the CBD, the trip on the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will take about 30 minutes - half the current travel time for local residents using public transport.
A major election commitment, the 21km line will spur off the Midland Line at Bayswater, run down the middle of Tonkin Highway, through land north of Marshall Road, along the New Lord Street alignment and finish in the growing Ellenbrook town centre.
Stations will be built at Ellenbrook, Whiteman Park, Malaga, Noranda and Morley, with a future station to be developed at Bennett Springs East, when planning in the area is finalised.
Thousands of local jobs will be created over the life of the project, with works to begin later this year as part of the major redevelopment of Bayswater Station.
Perth's north-eastern suburbs are one of Australia's fastest growing areas, with the population expected to almost double to more than 415,000 by 2031, compared to 2006 levels.
By 2031, it is estimated the rail line will take more than 10,000 car trips off roads in the north-eastern suburbs each day.
After 18 months' worth of research, consultation and planning, the business case and Infrastructure Australia submission is now being finalised and will be submitted in the coming months.
The State Budget currently includes a record $4.1 billion for METRONET and $4.2 billion for road projects across Western Australia, highlighting the McGowan Government's commitment to job-creating, congestion-busting infrastructure.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"The rail line to Ellenbrook is the signature METRONET project.
"We promised to build it, and we're delivering on that promise.
"This is a transformational project for our rail network - delivering world-class public transport to residents of Ellenbrook and the north-eastern suburbs.
"It is another job-creating METRONET project and will also help reduce congestion on local roads."
As stated by Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Currently it takes residents in Ellenbrook around one hour to get to the CBD when using public transport, the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will halve that journey time.
"Planning for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line started from scratch when we took office, so we have consulted widely and it's been a huge achievement to get the project to this exciting point.
"Under the Liberals, the north-eastern suburbs were ignored and told they didn't need a rail line until 2050. This has all changed under a Labor Government, the rail line to Ellenbrook will be built, just like we promised.
"This rail line will finally connect the-north eastern suburbs to the broader rail network, linking residents to more employment, education and recreation opportunities, and reducing congestion on our roads.
"Combined with Ellenbrook, we have growing suburbs like Brabham and Dayton, that will continue to attract thousands of families who will soon be directly connected to world class public transport.
"Together with major road projects underway, the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will be a transport game-changer for thousands of passengers and motorists."
