The 2018-19 METRONET budget is the largest ever investment in WA rail infrastructure and with $3.6 billion allocated towards new METRONET projects. 

Included in the State Budget is $536 million to extend the Thornlie Line to Cockburn Station on the Mandurah Line, including two new stations at Nicholson Road and Ranford Road. 

There is a $420 million allocation to extend the northern suburbs rail line to Yanchep, including three stations at Yanchep, Eglinton and Alkimos, as well as bus interchanges and park and ride facilities.

The Forrestfield-Airport Link project receives $515 million in 2018-19, some of which will be allocated towards building a turn back facility at Claremont and upgrading Bayswater Station. The Bayswater upgrade is the first stage of the Morley-Ellenbrook Line project, with additional space and capability provided to allow the new METRONET connection.

More than $50 million is allocated to continue planning work on other key METRONET projects, including the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, Byford Rail Extension, Midland Station Project and new Karnup Station.

$69 million will be invested in removing one of Perth’s most dangerous level crossings – Denny Avenue in Kelmscott over the forward estimates. 

Servicing the new METRONET projects will require 102 new railcars (17 six-car sets), with delivery of the first sets due to begin in 2021. $508m is committed in this Budget for this order, with further funding earmarked for an additional 24 six-car sets to replace the ageing A-Series trains used on heritage lines. 

The pre-qualification tender for the overall project to build 246 new METRONET railcars includes a local content target of at least 50 per cent for the manufacturing of new railcars.

Minister Rita Saffioti said: “This Budget provides the biggest passenger rail investment in WA history and will transform Perth into the city we aspire it to be in the future – more sustainable, more connected and more vibrant.”