The METRONET Ellenbrook Line is set to give people living and working in the north-eastern suburbs of Perth better transport choice and faster journeys.
Jointly funded by the Federal and Western Australian Governments, the $1.65 billion Morley-Ellenbrook Line is the biggest public transport project delivered in Perth in more than 16 years.
Starting at Bayswater Station on the Midland Line, the new 21km line travels along the centre of Tonkin Highway, through land north of Marshall Road, along the western side of Drumpellier Drive and ends in Ellenbrook, south of The Parkway.
Ellenbrook is one of Perth’s fastest growing regions, with annual growth figures forecast to be more than 6.5 per cent. Due to the lack of rail services, the corridor between Morley and Ellenbrook has the highest usage of cars compared to other Perth corridors.
Once complete, the METRONET Ellenbrook Line is set to create a more interconnected city with better transport, housing and employment options. The line will majorly reduce vehicle usage in north-eastern Perth by reducing travel times on public transport by up to 50 per cent and slashing travel times to a 30-minute train journey between Ellenbrook and the CBD. It will also provide direct links to Midland and Perth Airport, as well as better connections to Whiteman Park and the Swan Valley.
“The 21-kilometre Ellenbrook Line will give people living and working in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs more transport choice and halve the travel time to Perth for those travelling from Ellenbrook,” a METRONET spokesperson said.
Supporting growth
New stations in the suburbs of Morley, Noranda, Ballajura, Whiteman Park and Ellenbrook will serve these growing communities. Additionally, the New Bayswater Station will create connections to improve connectivity with the Midland, Airport and Ellenbrook lines.
Each station is set to enable the development of the surrounding precincts to provide access to more housing, jobs, community services, tourism and recreation opportunities over the next 30 years, helping shape these growing neighbourhoods into vibrant new communities.
Inviting station design
“Unique features of these station include new public spaces that prioritise pedestrian movement between transport corridors and the creation of vibrant public spaces,” the spokesperson said.
“Wayfinding was given significant consideration, and the new station precincts will give visitors generous pathways, artwork to entice people to the area, shade arbour canopies and interpretive signage.
“The precinct, including station buildings, urban spaces and landscaping, consider a passenger focused design.
“This includes positioning carparks and drop-off points close to the station.”
Local jobs
Over 6,500 jobs have been created as part of this project, stimulating local employment opportunities.
Around 150,000 sleepers and 96,000 tonnes of ballast were used in the construction of the line.
Once the new line opens, commuters in the north-east will be able ride to the city using a SmartRider for only $4.16.
The first train to Ellenbrook hit the tracks in late-August, marking the beginning of a four-week program of rigorous testing and commissioning.
The program was undertaken to ensure all infrastructure and systems are operating efficiently and trains will run safely and smoothly.
Following testing and commissioning is driver familiarisation, before the line enters passenger service from December 2024.
Keeping sustainability front of mind
One point of focus for the project is working more sustainably to reduce carbon impacts of materials by more than 15 per cent and to improve resource efficiency and support a circular economy by using recycled materials.
“Each new state-of-the-art station is built with future sustainable growth in mind for the precincts surrounding the new stations and rail corridor,” the spokesperson said.
A number of initiatives have been implemented to help reach these sustainability targets, including:
FOGO Trial
The project has committed to using 20 per cent Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) in imported topsoil used for landscaping. In collaboration with local industry, the trial is expected to set a precedent that supports the use of FOGO and grows confidence to embrace this and other new materials, while encouraging innovative landscape practices.
Crushed recycled concrete trial
Crushed recycled concrete (CRC) is being trailled for the base asphalt layer in Ballajura and Noranda station car parks. CRC is made of concrete debris from construction and demolition projects. The use of CRC aims to reduce materials going to landfill and result in reduced carbon emissions.
Hollow core noise walls
The amount of concrete used on site is also being reduced through a hollow core noise wall system that contains 30 per cent less embodied carbon than standard noise wall panels. Approximately 770 hollow core panels have been installed on the line so far.
New station precincts
The new stations as part of the Morley-Ellenbrook line are:
Morley Station
Morley Station is located under the Broun Avenue bridge, within the Tonkin Highway Median. Frequent bus services will connect passengers to the Morley Galleria shopping precinct, surrounding businesses and the local community.
A concept master plan for the Morley Station Precinct is already complete, which sets the long-term vision for planning, development and infrastructure delivery for the area around the station over the next 30 years.
The master plan was designed using feedback gained from the City of Bayswater, key stakeholders and the community, and sets out a vision for an urban village with a vibrant public environment and enhanced connections.
Noranda Station
Noranda Station is located at Benara Road and Tonkin Highway and will deliver a reliable new connection point for local and surrounding communities.
Future planning for the precinct around Noranda Station will be managed by the City of Bayswater.
Ballajura Station
Ballajura Station, formerly Malaga Station, will provide efficient transport links to the surrounding suburbs and support future growth in the area.
The station is located north-east of the junction of Marshall Road and Tonkin Highway, and has been renamed to Ballajura Station due to its geographical location and its connection to the Ballajura community.
A new footbridge will be built across Tonkin Highway in Ballajura, with access via the shared path along the highway, close to the Premier Place access point on the western side. The footbridge will provide easy access to Ballajura Station and to Whiteman Park and improve connections for commuters.
Structure planning of the surrounding precinct is underway to guide the long-term planning of future roads, community facilities, schools, public space and land use in the area around the station.
Whiteman Park Station
Whiteman Park Station is located alongside Drumpellier Drive, just south of the Whiteman Park entrance.
The station will efficient and modern transport services to the communities of Henley Brook, Dayton, West Swan and Brabham, including new links to two of Perth’s most popular tourism destinations, Whiteman Park and Swan Valley.
A concept long-term master plan for the area around the station is already complete. The plan is designed to support growth in the area over the next 30 years and sets the high-level road map for the urban development east of Whiteman Park Station, as well as recreational and tourism areas to the west.
Ellenbrook Station
Ellenbrook Station is located in the town centre, south of The Parkway and west of Civic Terrace. The station will offer a new transport option for the 46,000 residents in Ellenbrook and the surrounding areas. It has been designed to accommodate the anticipated growth in the region, making the most of vacant land around the station.
Future planning for the precinct around Ellenbrook Station will be managed by a State Government and private sector joint venture.
Bennett Springs East Future Station
The Bennett Springs East Station and precinct is a potential addition to the line that would urbanise the surrounding area with complementary transport, housing and recreation choices.
Precinct structure planning is currently underway to establish the long-term planning framework that will guide the future development of local roads, housing density, zoning and locations for community facilities such as schools, shops and public space.
The Morley-Ellenbrook Line will open with a community celebration on 8 December and commence passenger service on 9 December 2024.
The station precincts will create more liveable communities, new business and employment opportunities, as well as better transport links for tourists and visitors to the Swan Valley and Whiteman Park, making this project as a transformational expansion of Perth’s rail network and vital connection for Perth’s north-east.
