Residents living on Tully Road and Stokes Way met recently to discuss their concerns about the PTA removing two existing end tracks and replacing them with five.
Peter Kroll said residents were concerned this would reduce the amenity of the area, adding visual and noise pollution and possibly vibrations.
‘It is like you are living on a road, and then it turns into a highway,’ he said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW‘By not consulting with us, the PTA is not acting as a good corporate citizen.’
PTA spokesman David Hynes said consultation was not needed because the work was being done within the existing rail reserve and did not affect the frequency of trains travelling through the area.
But he said the authority was considering a range of noise-reduction measures, including a possible wall to reduce any noise pollution.
Mr Hynes said the expansion was being done to accommodate 22 three-car trains that would arrive in Perth in the second half of the year.
‘To ensure that these trains can be put to the best use, and be introduced to our system in the most timely way possible, we are remodelling the layout of the existing sidings at East Perth,’ he said.
‘This will allow more railcars to be stowed in readiness to be released to the network during peak times.’
East Perth resident Paul Jauncey said the scope of the works would result in more people being affected by the trains.
‘In some parts, the tracks are being increased from two to five, but in others, it is going from no tracks to five,’ he said.
‘The train lines are very close to some properties. It is our backyard.’
Mr Kroll said residents understood the need for development but it should not be done without consultation with affected neighbours.
‘Shouldn’t they have assessed the negative impact at the planning stage and not at the post project stage?’ he asked.