Long-term proposals to expand Perth’s rail network — including a new East Wanneroo link and an orbital route through the western suburbs and around the city — have reached an early planning milestone.
Infrastructure Australia has completed a “Defining Problems and Opportunities” evaluation after adding the proposal to its investment priority list earlier this year.
The independent statutory body advises the Federal Government on nationally significant infrastructure projects and investment priorities over the next 10 years.
The rail proposals have been identified as potential investment opportunities in Infrastructure Australia’s five-to-10-year pipeline.
Perth’s population is forecast to grow from about three million in 2024–25 to 4.9 million by 2065–66 and rail patronage across the city is expected to triple by 2051, putting more pressure on the heavy rail network.
Despite more than $15 billion being spent by the State Government expanding Perth’s rail network since 2017, Infrastructure Australia said in its evaluation that more public transport investment would be needed.
“Although there has been substantial investment in Perth’s rail network through Metronet, additional public transport infrastructure and improved metropolitan connectivity will be required to meet long-term demand,” the report states.
“The proposal presents an opportunity to further expand Perth’s heavy rail network, improve network connectivity and support increasing demand for public transport across the metropolitan area.”
A proposed transit corridor through East Wanneroo was outlined in the East Wanneroo District Structure Plan, with construction on the first stage of development starting last August.
More than 50,000 new homes are planned for up to 150,000 residents over the next 50 years as part of the area’s structure plan.
The suggested east-west rail link would connect the Morley-Ellenbrook and Yanchep rail lines, running along a future Whiteman–Yanchep Highway, with two “transit stations” proposed for Mariginiup and Gnangara, according to the approved structure plan.
Infrastructure Australia’s latest evaluation also includes an image showing a proposed orbital rail route linking the Thornlie-Cockburn line with Murdoch, Booragoon, UWA, Shenton Park and Stirling before continuing to Morley.
The evaluation report said the rail links would improve connectivity between Perth’s rapidly expanding outer suburbs and key employment hubs.
“The proposal is expected to improve access to housing, employment, education and services by increasing rail capacity and enhancing connectivity between Perth’s growth areas and major activity centres,” it states.
“It would also support greater network efficiency, resilience and ease congestion pressures by supporting greater public transport use.”
Both projects were included in the State Government’s 2022 Infrastructure Strategy, which recommended further feasibility work on the proposed rail links.
However, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the State Government had not put the projects forward to Infrastructure Australia for inclusion on its priority list.
Ms Saffioti said its immediate rail priority remained rolling out the high-capacity signalling project across the existing network rather than planning new long-term corridors.
“There continues to be incredible growth in the northern corridor, and we are always looking at ways to improve our public transport network to best service our expanding community in East Wanneroo,” Ms Saffioti said.
“The PTA’s high-capacity signalling project will replace and significantly upgrade signalling and train control systems on Perth’s passenger rail network, allowing more trains to run more often.
“It will be delivered in stages over several years to minimise disruption to the operational railway.”
The next stage of Infrastructure Australia’s assessment of the proposed rail links will involve identifying and analysing options before a business case is prepared. The State Government is responsible for developing potential investment options.