Bayswater train station upgrade concept plan revealed

A CONCEPT plan for the Bayswater train station upgrade has been revealed following months of community consultation.

Premier Mark McGowan, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Maylands MLA Lisa Baker announced the plan today, which marks the first stage of the Morley-Ellenbrook Metronet line and one of the final stages of the Forrestfield-Airport Link.

The station will be relocated onto a higher rail bridge over King William Street, replacing the existing rail bridge and increasing the clearance from 3.8m to 4.8m, have full disability access and more public space under the rail line.

Platforms will be realigned closer to Whatley Crescent and expanded to accommodate six-car trains.

A section of Whatley Crescent will be lowered between King William and Hamilton streets to create a second underpass connecting to Beechboro Road under the rail bridge.

There will also be improved pedestrian connections, simplified traffic phasing, street designs that promote slower speeds and improved bus-train connections.

The plan, estimated to cost $146 million, was formed after Metronet surveyed 1000 people and held community drop-in sessions attended by about 300 residents.

A construction tender for the works will be released in early 2019 with work set to start in late 2019.

Information sessions about the new station will be held in the next few weeks.

Mr McGowan said the upgrade would pump vibrancy and activity into the town centre to support more jobs and businesses.

“Part of this project also involves raising the notorious Bayswater bridge, which has trapped at least 20 trucks since I have been Premier,” he said.

Ms Saffioti said Metronet worked extensively with local stakeholders to revitalise the precinct in line with community expectations.

“This is a transformational project for Bayswater that is being locally driven so we can build something that balances community needs, transport outcomes, heritage and new commercial opportunities,” she said.

“It will be Bayswater Station’s biggest overhaul in more than a century and we are proud to be bringing Metronet in to revitalise the area.

“Importantly, this is a vital first step for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line which will connect the north-east corridor to Perth’s rail network for the first time.”

Ms Baker said in recent months, there have been letterbox drops, station meetings, direct emails and several public and stakeholder meetings to discuss the concept.

“I believe this design balances transport and land-use planning, as well as the needs of the community with some of the site constraints, while allowing for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line to connect here in the future,” she said.

Bayswater Mayor Dan Bull said the City looked forward to continue dialogue with the State Government and the community as the design progressed.

“The new station will pave the way for the revitalisation of the Bayswater town centre and complement the structure plan Council recently forwarded to the WA Planning Commission for final approval,” he said.

“The City hopes to work with the State Government to minimise the impact on businesses during the construction phase by addressing parking needs and enticing visitors to the town centre through events and other placemaking initiatives.”

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