Enabling legislation for METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line passes Parliament

• Railway (METRONET) Amendment Bill 2019 passed by both houses of State Parliament
• Process on track to provide the necessary legislative powers to build the planned 21km rail line to Ellenbrook with five new stations
• Morley-Ellenbrook Line project started with early works at Bayswater Station in late 2019
• Request for Proposal out for METRONET's Morley-Ellenbrook Line's main contract

The METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line will be enshrined into law, after the Legislative Council passed an amendment to the required enabling legislation on Tuesday evening.

The Railway (METRONET) Amendment Bill 2019 authorises construction of the rail infrastructure for this major election commitment, which will halve the public transport journey time for passengers travelling between Ellenbrook and the CBD.

The next step is for the Bill to be sent for royal assent by Governor Kim Beazley.

Thousands of local jobs will be created over the life of the project, with early works already under way as part of the major redevelopment of Bayswater Station.

A Request for Proposal for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line's main works contract went out to market last month - the biggest of four works packages that will deliver the project.

Along with the main works contract, the Morley-Ellenbrook Line is also being delivered through the Bayswater Station upgrade, Tonkin Gap project and forward works contracts.

The Morley-Ellenbrook Line will take passengers from Ellenbrook's growing town centre and surrounding communities, along Drumpellier Drive (formerly New Lord Street), through land north of Marshall Road before running down the middle of Tonkin Highway and connecting to the Midland Line at Bayswater. 

Stations will be built at Ellenbrook, Whiteman Park, Malaga, Noranda and Morley, with allowance for a future station at Bennett Springs East also in the design.

Comments attributed to Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:

"The enabling legislation has passed, contracts are out and work has started at Bayswater Station - the Morley-Ellenbrook Line is happening.

"The enabling legislation passing shows that the Parliament acknowledges the importance of rail and serving the north-east corridor with first-class public transport.

"The METRONET team has been working with local communities to get their feedback and maximise the benefits the Morley-Ellenbrook Line will create.

"We have also been working with local companies so they are prepared to leverage opportunities and maximise local jobs that come with building METRONET.

"This enshrines in legislation our election commitment to connect Perth's fast-growing north-eastern suburbs by rail - we look forward to continuing the work."

Minister's office - 6552 5500