City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi talks to the media in Hay Street Mall with two faux light rail trains in the background.
Camera IconCity of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi talks to the media in Hay Street Mall with two faux light rail trains in the background. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Stop it in its tracks: Mayor

Anne Gartner, Guardian ExpressEastern Reporter

The 43-metre long, 2.65 metre wide and 3 metre tall trains replicate the dimensions of light rail trains that would run down the mall as a part of the State Government’s Max Light Rail scheme.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said while the City supported light rail, it should run down St Georges Terrace rather than the Hay or Murray street malls.

She said the replica trains, built by the City of Perth at a cost of $100,000, aimed to highlight the effect light rail would have on the malls for businesses and consumers.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

‘People need to see the impact for themselves and also appreciate that service frequency will only increase over time,’ Ms Scaffidi said.

‘Massive light rail vehicles running through our malls do not respect sense of place and will not encourage further development.’

The State Government’s MAX light rail plan would feature light rail running about 22 kilometres from Mirrabooka, down Alexander Drive and Fitzgerald Street, into the City.

The City route has not been finalised with three options available, including running lines down Hay Street, one way one each of Hay Street and Murray Street, or St Georges Terrace.

Ms Scaffidi said the Hay Street route did not allow for stops and it did not make sense to disrupt the malls when commuters would not be able to board or disembark along the strip.

‘We want the malls to be as welcoming as possible,’ she said.

The State Government will make a final decision on the route. Light rail is expected to cost $1.8 billion and is expected to be operational by 2019.