The success of METRONET and the precincts around the future stations relies on the public and private sector working together. To do this we are engaging with key members of WA’s housing related, urban development and property groups to provide advice on high-level planning issues.
The Private Sector Reference Group will help the team look beyond the station doors to issues relating to land value capture, development around station precincts, density and innovative land-use outcomes. The Group is made up of representatives from the Urban Development Institute of Australia, the Planning Institute of Australia, the Property Council of Australia, the Real Estate Institute of WA, the Housing Industry Association, the Master Builders' Association, the Australian Property Institute and Shelter WA.
The Private Sector Reference Group’s function is to:
- Provide information to private sector stakeholders on the direction and progress of the planning of the METRONET Program of works (particularly in respect of station precinct development and land-use outcomes); and
- obtain independent advice on key matters such as procurement, property development and commercial negotiation.
Industry is encouraged to liaise with their relevant group to raise concerns or hear more about METRONET’s projects.
Meeting topics
Meeting #1 – April 2018
In the first Private Sector Reference Group meeting, the METRONET Office provided an update on the Stage One projects, market analysis to determine development appetite for each precinct and early development of a precinct implementation strategy.
Meeting #2 – June 2018
2018-19 State Budget: The State Budget was the largest ever investment in WA rail Infrastructure and with $3.6 billion allocated towards new METRONET projects.
Forrestfield Airport Link delivery review: Works continue to progress in the development opportunities around Forrestfield and Redcliffe stations. The METRONET Office is working closely with the relevant local councils to maximise the opportunities the investment in transport infrastructure brings. More information on these development plans will be made available as they progress.
Level Crossing Removal – Denny Avenue: The confirmed solution for the Denny Avenue level crossing removal will be a road underpass and elevated rail at Davis Road in Kelmscott. The project is also an opportunity to revitalise and redevelop the Kelmscott Town Centre. Tenders for construction will be released in the coming months and construction will commence soon after the contract is awarded.
Meeting #3 – August 2018
Communications: Update on the approach to date and planned activities going forward was provided and METRONET video shared. In the past year of setting up METRONET the focus was on community and industry engagement. Leveraging on the projects in local areas, working with industry bodies such as ourselves and creating a digital space for communications were just some of the activities discussed. The challenges faced in promoting the benefits of development as well as the role we all have to play in sharing the message was discussed.
Project updates: Provided progress update on each project. Please sign up for project updates and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Providing the best outcomes in the various precincts: The Private Sector Reference Group provided the METRONET team with some thoughts on residential, commercial and industrial developments around the stations to be delivered under METRONET. METRONET and the Private Sector Reference Group will continue to work together to deliver the best outcomes.
Meeting #4 – October 2018
Social and affordable housing: METRONET is aligned with the Social and Affordable Housing Policy, and is covered under the Department of State Affordable Housing Action Plan. While this is State Government led, everyone across the public and private sector has a role in its delivery.
METRONET Aboriginal Engagement Strategy: The METRONET Office is currently developing an Aboriginal Engagement Strategy in consultation with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council and relevant Noongar working partiesto ensure a consistent approach to Noongar cultural recognition, Noongar input into place making, Aboriginal procurement, Aboriginal employment and land access and sites management across all METRONET projects.
Construction industry business register: Construction and related companies interested in helping deliver METRONET infrastructure are strongly encouraged to fill in the METRONET Construction Industry Register, which will be provided to successful tenderers after contract award.
Meeting #5 – July 2019
Shelter WA presentation: Shelter WA Chief Executive Officer Michelle Mackenzie presented on recent developments in the community housing sector, the challenges and potential initiatives to address the yield gap in building social housing. Members were referred to some of Shelter WA’s recent housing data which can be found here.
Program update: METRONET Managing Director Anthony Kannis and Planning Director Glen Finn, provided an update on the METRONET Program and precinct planning activities and encouraged people to keep informed by registering for email updates on the METRONET website.
Meeting #6 - September 2019
Program update: METRONET Program Director Anthony Kannis provided members with an overview of the latest program and project activities including a high‑level summary of the recently announced Morley‑Ellenbrook Line alignment. Details of the new line are available here.
The METRONET program of works is expected to provide local businesses with significant opportunities. Information of the various packages of work will be released via TendersWA.
Construction industry business register: Construction and related companies interested in helping deliver METRONET infrastructure are strongly encouraged to fill in the METRONET Construction Business Register, which will be provided to successful tenderers after contract award. The register can be accessed here.
Meeting #7 - December 2019
Program update: METRONET Managing Director, Anthony Kannis provided members with an overview of the latest program and project activities including a recap of the METRONET achievements over the past 2 and a half years. This highlighted the significant collaboration which has occurred across government and industry to support the METRONET program and acknowledgement of the growing number of projects that will progress to the delivery and construction phase throughout 2020.
Sustainability and Public Art Strategies: The reference group was provided with an overview of the recently released METRONET Sustainability and Public Art strategies.
Construction industry business register: Construction and related companies interested in helping deliver METRONET infrastructure are strongly encouraged to fill in the METRONET Construction Business Register, which will be provided to successful tenderers after contract award. The register can be accessed here. The METRONET program of works is expected to provide local businesses with significant opportunities. Information of the various packages of work will be released via TendersWA
Meeting #8 - June 2020
Program update: METRONET Planning Director, Glen Finn provided members with an overview of the latest program and project activities, which included the recent announcement on the removal of up to six level crossings on the inner Armadale Line.
It was noted that there are currently several METRONET priority projects under development with the objective to reduce the time required to award a contract, so the successful bidder can have certainty in the post-COVID-19 environment to plan workforce requirements and create jobs with employment security.
The reference group was provided with an update on the work being undertaken by the METRONET Access and Inclusion Reference Group, minutes of these meetings are available on the METRONET website.