Commonwealth funding for the next two METRONET Projects has been secured after completing the thorough Infrastructure Australia process.

A combined budget of $1.056 billion, the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension were recognised as important city building projects for Perth. This sees the joint funding arrangement to be $700 million from the Commonwealth and $356 million from the WA Government.

The final documents to secure Commonwealth Funding for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension were formally accepted by Infrastructure Australia in August. METRONET has since worked closely with Infrastructure Australia in addressing their very thorough assessment criteria, which has resulted in this successful outcome.

The projects will make travelling to and from the city by train more convenient, improve links between Perth suburbs, support ongoing and future growth and relieve road congestion.  

In addressing the Infrastructure Australia assessment criteria, it was evident how the Thornlie-Cockburn Link and Yanchep Rail Extension will better connect Perth and offer people more choices for travel, housing and jobs.

In particular, the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, which may have a lower benefit-cost ratio than the Yanchep Rail Extension due to being delivered in an established area. However, the project will significantly improve travel choices for the under serviced southern suburbs, also giving residents access to strategic job centres. And in the long term, the project will support redevelopments in the area. This is reflected in the project’s benefit-cost ratio of 1.7 when including wider economic benefits.

The projects will be delivered under a single alliance contract, with a shortlist for tenderers to be announced in early 2019.