The Western Australian Government has invested $5.7 billion into METRONET projects across Perth’s suburbs in the 2020-21 State Budget, creating thousands of local jobs.
It builds on the previous year’s investment into the project with $1.7 billion to be spent this financial year.
More than $1.5 billion in funding for METRONET projects has been secured from the Federal Government, allowing the major projects to be delivered with responsible financial management.
Included in this State Budget for 2020-21 is:
- $354.5 million for the Forrestfield-Airport Link project, set to be completed in late 2021
- $275.3 million to procure 246 new locally made railcars and establish a local assembly and manufacturing facility at Bellevue
- $195 million for the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, Perth’s first east-west rail connection;
- $184.7 million for the Yanchep Rail Extension, with three new train stations
- $144.6 million for removal of level crossings, including the underway Denny Avenue Level Crossing Removal Project and early works for three other crossings on the Armadale Line, with planning underway on a further three level crossings
- $207.2 million for other projects such as the Morley-Ellenbrook Line, Byford Rail Extension and Midland Station Project
- $92.3 million for the construction of the new Bayswater Station
- $31.5 million to deliver a multi-storey car park at Mandurah Station
- $16.3 million to help plan and build Lakelands Station
The public transport projects will be supported by investment into a number of road projects and projected funded through the Public Transport Authority’s 2020-21 budget.
Seven METRONET construction projects are under construction this year, with final negotiations for the major construction contract for the Morley-Ellenbrook Line underway.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said the State Budget delivers a record $27 billion in infrastructure investment over the next four years, including construction and manufacturing work for METRONET and major roads across WA.
“We’ve worked hard to establish a major pipeline of work to support local jobs and help guide Western Australia’s economy out of the COVID-19 pandemic, while ensuring we’re delivering and building major projects for tomorrow,” he said.
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“This year alone we have seven METRONET projects under construction, with additional projects in planning due to commence later this year or in 2021.
“We expect more than 10,000 local jobs to be created across our METRONET projects, providing a significant boost for the economy and opportunities for local businesses.”
Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said building METRONET will change the face of Perth, transform communities and revolutionise the way people travel around the city and suburbs.
“These projects won’t just change the way we travel, they will also have a huge role in supporting local jobs and training opportunities, with more than 10,000 jobs expected to be supported as part of these METRONET investments,” she said.
“This year’s investment will allow for continued delivery of the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, Yanchep Rail Extension and Forrestfield-Airport Link, but we’re not stopping there.
“Even more projects are in the pipeline, ensuring we’re delivering and building the infrastructure needed for tomorrow.”