Plan to ring the changes

Under the proposal, residents in Ellenbrook, Aveley, Bullsbrook and surrounds would travel to the intersection of Tonkin and Reid highways to connect with Perth’s rail network, an express trip once the NorthLink project is completed.

Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute director Peter Newman said the benefit of the Airport Rail link was that it could be extended north from Bayswater junction.

‘The next phase for that airport rail is… going through Bayswater station and along Tonkin and Reid highways,’ he said. ‘Then if you came straight down from Ellenbrook, you could link into that part of the rail network and either go back into the city on the northern line or to the Midland line or further out eventually to the rest of the system.’

This particular rail model fed into Labor’s Metronet plan and Liberal’s MAX light rail promise, which was quickly shelved after the last election.

However, neither Government or the Opposition have committed to the overarching long-term vision for Perth’s public transport outlined by Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute.

The new suburbs of Brabham, Dayton and parts of Caversham have a population of under 4000, but according to City of Swan estimates, that will increase to 36,000 by 2036. Population in the wider Bullsbrook area is also set to jump from 5321 this year to about 26,000, while Ellenbrook’s population will go from about 33,000 to 52,000.

City of Swan chief executive Mike Foley said improving public transport to Perth’s north-east should be a priority for the State Government.

‘The City would support multiple options to improve public transport to Ellenbrook, including a rail link or a bus rapid transit system,’ he said.

‘We understand the airport rail project will also bring benefits.’