Federal Government commits $10m for Lakelands train station

THE Federal Government will provide an extra $10 million to build the long awaited Lakelands train station.

However, Labor candidate for Canning, Mellisa Teede described the promise as a “token grab for votes.”

A train station at Lakelands would fill a 23 kilometre gap on the Mandurah-Perth line.

Canning MHR Andrew Hastie, who has championed construction of the station since 2016, said the funding came in addition to $2million delivered last year for the station’s business case.

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He said it would be used in the early works for the station’s construction.

“Lakelands residents first raised the prospect of a station while I was doorknocking in 2016,’’ he said.

“They said the promise of a station had been included in the suburb’s development proposal.

“Many bought their first home or chose to retire in Lakelands because of that promise, some as long ago as 2006.”

Mr Hastie said a train station in Lakelands meant residents from the north of Mandurah would not have to travel south by car before catching a train north to the city, meaning fewer cars clogging up roads and less pressure on the Mandurah train station car park.

“It will also mean easier access to more jobs and services for the people of Lakelands,” he said.

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“We are committing $10 million today because this project needs leadership.

“WA Labor have ignored the people of Lakelands and refused to commit funding to the station.

“The Federal Government is putting money on the table to get things started.”

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said congestion was a growing problem across Perth and the Urban Congestion Fund would deliver a solution.

“The Urban Congestion Fund is designed to eliminate congestion issues where they are hurting the most – not only the major freeways but the local pinch points which can provide daily headaches to commuters,” he said.

Canning Labor candidate Mellisa Teede said if Prime Minister Scott Morrison thought he could promise to build the Lakelands station for a measly $10 million, he was in “fantasy land.”

“Early estimates suggest the station would cost up to $70 million to build.

“If the Federal Government was serious about building Lakelands Station, it would make a substantial contribution.”

Mrs Teede said the State Government’s METRONET team was already working on a business case for Lakelands Station.

“A Shorten Labor Government has committed to building a multi-storey carpark at Mandurah Station with the McGowan Government,” she said.

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“Andrew Hastie needs to commit to this project for the Peel region.

“The McGowan Government’s election commitments were the Karnup Station and the Mandurah Station carpark.

“But that does not exclude Lakelands Station from also being built in the future.”

MANDURAH NEWS