The Federal Labor Government has committed $700 million in funding towards the Morley-Ellenbrook METRONET line as part of the $1.6 billion Fair Share for WA Fund.
The commitment from Federal Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, and Federal Labor comes after $20 million was allocated in the 2017-18 WA State Budget to begin detailed planning and design work on the project.
The dedicated METRONET team has begun work to progress detailed planning and design for the rail line to Ellenbrook, including finalising the precise route and station locations, station precinct planning, and considering land sales and value capture opportunities.
The Morley-Ellenbrook line will serve Perth’s rapidly growing north-eastern suburbs, connecting them to world-class public transport, reducing road congestion and creating jobs.
It will also open new development areas along the way, creating well-connected new communities around station precincts.
Minister for Transport, Rita Saffioti, said the Morley-Ellenbrook line is the missing spine in WA’s rail network; it will aim to ease road congestion throughout the north-eastern suburbs and create local jobs.
“This METRONET line will connect passengers to the major employment hubs at Malaga and Morley, linking passengers to jobs.”
Construction of the project is set to get underway in 2019. Additional state funding will be allocated as part of subsequent budgets following the development of the business case.