THE Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has opened up public comment on the proposed Thornlie-Cockburn train link.
The Thornlie-Cockburn link is a key component of the State Government’s Metronet project, but the 14.5km dual railway track would require extensive land clearance.
The proposal requires the construction of two new stations at Ranford and Nicholson roads in Canning Vale and modification of the existing Thornlie and Cockburn Stations.
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READ NOWThe passenger rail bridge over the Canning River will also need to be duplicated and a principal shared path will be constructed along the new railway.
The EPA estimates the project would require up to 54.9ha of native vegetation, including 22.8ha in Bush Forever areas, to be cleared.
Up to 2.85ha of Banksia Woodland of the Swan Coastal Plain Threatened Ecological Community, 27.64ha of black cockatoo foraging habitat and 96 potential black cockatoo habitat trees are proposed to be cleared.
Public comment on the project closes on June 20.
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