Tristan Cockman, Peter McCredie and Sonny Spaseski.
Camera IconTristan Cockman, Peter McCredie and Sonny Spaseski. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Advocacy group says Wanneroo left out of recent State Govt metropolitan infrastructure announcements

Justin BianchiniWanneroo Times

A NEW advocacy group says Wanneroo has been left out of recent State Government metropolitan infrastructure announcements.

Community Matters said eastern suburbs would get $600 million, the south $552 million and the northern suburbs $186 million.

“There is one major omission – Wanneroo,” spokesman and planning lawyer Tristan Cockman said.

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“Wanneroo has been around since the 1840s and right now the local community couldn’t be blamed for feeling overlooked despite East Wanneroo being earmarked as a housing growth area and Neerabup being a future employment hub.

“The State Government has committed funding to an Ellenbrook railway line undeterred by the smaller population it will service when compared to Wanneroo.

“The railway line down Reid Highway with an extension to Wanneroo promised in the original 2013 Metronet plan has been shelved.”

Mr Cockman, a former Labor candidate for Cowan, and fellow northern suburbs residents formed Community Matters to advocate for improved infrastructure spending and job opportunities.

“People don’t have time to be stuck in traffic or to be left at the station because there was no room on the last train,” he said.

“Each day, thousands of Wanneroo residents are confronted with delays caused by sub-|standard public transport and poor planning.

“Wanneroo is the missing link when it comes to public transport and it needs to be a priority.

“The demands being placed on Wanneroo Road are only going to increase. Bridges on major intersections are only a temporary solution. A railway line will create regeneration for Wanneroo and create employment opportunities.”

Communities Matter is calling for a feasibility study into a rail line to Wanneroo and community consultation as part of the process.

“Only the community knows how such a project will affect them,” Mr Cockman said.

“If we do it the right way, Wanneroo will become a vibrant place to live, work and grow.”

Other members of Community Matters include town planner Cane Spaseski and business communications consultant Peter McCredie.

State Govt prioritises upgrades to Wanneroo Rd

TRANSPORT Minister Rita Saffioti said the State Government’s immediate priority was three upgrades on Wanneroo Road totalling $146 million.

Ms Saffioti said those projects – interchanges at Joondalup Drive and Ocean Reef Road, plus widening Wanneroo Road to Flynn Drive – were part of the $2.3 billion State-Federal road and rail package.

“Planning is well underway for the extension of the rail line to Yanchep, which is also in the City of Wanneroo and will have congestion-busting benefits across the northern suburbs,” she said.

“Wanneroo is recognised as an important urban centre and the Metronet team will be investigating further transit solutions for the region in the near future.”

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