The METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line is
powering towards the finish line, with all of the track now laid and the second
of five new stations complete.
Works are now
complete at Malaga Station, which will be formally named Ballajura Station to
better reflect the location, the significant residential community adjacent to
the station, and future residential opportunities in the area.
The milestone follows the completion of METRONET's
Ellenbrook Station earlier this year and the opening of the Bayswater Station
in April, a project jointly funded by the Australian and Western Australian Governments
and critical to the operations of the new Morley-Ellenbrook Line.
As part of the transformative METRONET
project for Perth's north-eastern suburbs, 21 kilometres of new rail track
has now been laid, allowing for line electrification to occur next month ahead
of the testing of trains.
It marks the
most significant milestone to date on the project, which has supported an
estimated 6,500 jobs.
The METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook
line starts at the new Bayswater Station, with new stations at Morley, Noranda,
Malaga, Whiteman Park, and Ellenbrook.
The $1.65
billion METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line is jointly funded by the Federal and State
Governments.
The station is
a 21-minute journey to Perth city, and will connect the suburbs of Ballajura, Landsdale,
Alexander Heights, Malaga, and Bennett Springs to high-quality and affordable
public transport.
With
convenient and modern facilities, the Ballajura Station includes a 12-stand bus
interchange and 1,100 parking bays, and will unlock thousands of new housing
options for Western Australians as part of future developments.
Work is also
now complete on the new Ballajura footbridge to provide safe access for
pedestrians and cyclists from the residential areas west of Tonkin Highway to
the new station.
An education
campaign will be delivered in coming months as electrification of the line
begins, to encourage public safety around high-speed rail and live rail.
Quotes attributable to WA
Premier Roger Cook:
"We promised a train line to Ellenbrook and, through METRONET, my
Government is delivering.
"This is the biggest milestone to date on the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook
Line, and brings high-quality, affordable public transport one step closer for
the tens of thousands of people in our north-eastern suburbs.
"From Ballajura to Byford, from Ellenbrook to Eglinton, METRONET is
transforming our suburbs, creating jobs, slashing congestion, and setting up
our city for the future."
Quotes
attributable to Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and
Local Government Minister Catherine King:
"Projects like
the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line highlight the importance of Federal and State
governments working together to provide safer, faster and more efficient
transport links.
"This
investment from the Australian Government, alongside the WA Government, will
provide more transportation options as we continue to build the infrastructure
that commuters in this fast-growing area need and deserve.
"This line
will create social and economic benefits for locals and visitors who want to explore
Perth's incredible Whiteman Park and beyond."
Quotes
attributable to WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"The METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line is powering
towards completion, and when it opens later this year it will slash travel
times for people across our north-eastern suburbs.
"Communities in our growing north-east corridor
have been crying out for better public transport options, and I am incredibly proud
that our Government is making that a reality.
"Our Government made a commitment to deliver this
rail line and, by the end of this year, passengers will be able to jump on
board the first trains."
Quotes
attributable to Federal Member for Cowan Dr Anne Aly:
"From shorter travel times and more accessibility
to the CBD, the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook line will be a game-changer for the
Cowan community.
"We've been eagerly seeing the progress of the line
for months now, and to see the Ballajura Station completed is an incredibly
exciting moment for everyone."
30 JULY 2024
