Two METRONET projects added to Infrastructure Australia Priority List

Infrastructure Australia has added two METRONET rail projects to its Priority List of projects after their business cases were assessed.

The Yanchep Rail Extension as a High Priority Project and the Thornlie-Cockburn Link as a Priority Project.

New stations are planned for Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep to support population growth in the city’s north waste as part of the Yanchep Rail Extension. The WA Government has stated a benefit-cost ratio of 2.6 for the project.

The proposed Thornlie-Cockburn Link will involve the construction of two new train stations and the construction of a new passenger rail corridor which follows the Midland to Kwinana freight line. It aims to improve network connectivity and relieve pressure on existing interchanges, with a stated benefit-cost ratio of 1.2.

Projects on the Infrastructure Priority List are considered nationally significant investments that Australia needs over the next 15 years.

A range of factors in considered to classify a project as Priority or High Priority, including the scale of national productivity benefits, its strategic significance with the broader network and potential social impacts such as better integration of land use development.

Infrastructure Australia Acting Chief Executive Anna Chau said the METRONET rail projects is designed to address the problem of capacity constraints on Perth’s metropolitan rail network, which was previously highlighted as a Priority Initiative requiring action in the short term.

“Growing urban congestion in Greater Perth has been identified by Infrastructure Australia as a nationally significant problem, driven in part by the city’s limited public transport options and a tendency towards low-density development which has led to high car use compared to other Australian capital cities,” said Ms Chau.

“METRONET aims to increase the capacity and reach of Perth’s metropolitan rail network. As part of the overall program, the Yanchep Rail Extension and Thornlie-Cockburn Link will enable more people to use public transport and reduce pressure on the road network – something which will become increasingly critical as the city’s population grows.

“Perth’s population has grown strongly over the past 20 years, and is expected to increase from 2 million people in 2017 to 2.9 million people by 2031, and 3.5 million people by 2050. Creating more integrated transport networks will be essential to guard against congestion and overcrowding, and maintain Perth’s world-renowned liveability,” she said.