With an innovative and sustainable approach to water and energy use, the METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link Project has achieved one of the highest sustainability ratings in Western Australia for infrastructure assets.

Known as the Infrastructure Sustainability Council Rating Scheme, it is Australia’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating economic, social and environmental performance of infrastructure assets. 

One of the project’s key sustainability initiatives was the use of recycled water with the tunnel boring machines used to tunnel from Bayswater Station under the Swan River and under Perth Airport. This reduced overall water usage on the project by around 30% or 2,740 megalitres of water – the equivalent of 1,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

A 275kW solar energy system was also installed at High Wycombe Station and is capable of powering the average summertime daylight electricity demands of Airport Central, Redcliffe and High Wycombe stations. 

With the project complete and the Airport Line operational, an As Built Rating was sought. In December 2022, the Council awarded a Leading Rating – the highest classification – verifying that commitments made as part of the design had been successfully implemented. 

The METRONET Forrestfield-Airport Link is the first rail project in Western Australia to achieve the rating, delivering a sustainable legacy for the State.