Morley-Ellenbrook rail line listed as a longer term priority in Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 Priority Projects List

THE Morley-Ellenbrook rail line has been listed as a longer term priority in the Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 Priority Projects List for the first time, but the State Government wants the timeframe to be fast-tracked.

Infrastructure Australia released their list today, where eight projects were identified as high priority, with the Metronet Yanchep Rail Extension being the sole WA project named.

Out of the eight high priority and 10 priority projects, 29 high priority and 74 priority initiatives, there were a total of 16 WA projects listed.

Each project is given a timeframe for construction, those being near term (zero to five years), medium term (five to 10 years) and longer term (10 to 15 years).

According to the list’s priority initiatives section, there was an opportunity to better integrate transport and land use planning to intensify development near activities and stations along the Metronet Morley-Ellenbrook line.

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said the inclusion of more WA projects and initiatives was a testament to the Government’s focus on Metronet and fixing congestion.

“While we expected IA to assess the Morley-Ellenbrook Line as a more urgent project, we expect its urgency will be upgraded as the business case process is finalised,” she said.

Morley MLA Amber-Jade Sanderson said she strongly disagreed the timeline recommendation of 10 to 15 years as the project was “overdue and needed to be built”.

“Yet again, the needs of WA have been put on the backburner by the Federal Liberal Government in favour of the eastern states,” she said.

“Locals on the ground understand how vital this project is.

“The State Government has never wavered in its commitment to the Morley-Ellenbrook rail line, funding is allocated and we will be proceeding with the project, with construction starting on the Bayswater Station upgrade later this year.”

Infrastructure Australia chair Julieanne Alroe said improving safety on toads was a critical focus on many projects and initiatives on the list.

“Through the Infrastructure Priority List, Infrastructure Australia provides all levels of government with a prioritised list of infrastructure challenges and opportunities for the short, medium and longer term,” she said.

“We will continue in this spirit of collaboration to progress and prioritise these nationally significant infrastructure

solutions to deliver better infrastructure services for all Australians.”

For information, visit https://infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/

WA listed projects

Near term (zero to five years)

– Metronet: Yanchep Rail Extension

– Myalup-Wellington Water Project opportunity

– Metronet: Thornlie-Cockburn Link

– Perth CBD to north corridor capacity

– Armadale Road bridge

– Swan River crossing capacity

– Perth rail network capacity

– Land transport access between Karratha and Tom Price

– Improve road access to remote WA communities

Near term to medium term (between zero to five years and five to 10 years)

– Mitchell and Kwinana freeways upgrade

Medium term (five to 10 years)

– Bunbury Outer Ring Road Western Australia

– Perth Airport new runway

Longer term (10 to 15 years)

– Transport connectivity between Morley and Ellenbrook

– Canning Bridge crossing capacity and interchange

– Perth container terminal capacity and land transport access

Other

– Tonkin Highway corridor capacity