Councils plan for east-west link

Six local government bodies have partnered on a proof-of-concept plan to better connect Fremantle and Murdoch, encouraging greater use of public transport. 

The concept includes a public transport service that provides what the councils say is a much needed east-west connection within the Perth transport network.

The South West Group, which comprises local governments south of Perth representing Fremantle and Melville and down to Rockingham, hope these plans will progress detailed planning for the link.

South West Group director Tom Griffiths said two transport modes were ideal for the proposed east-west link service: trackless trams and light rail.

“Other transport modes could be suitable as long as they provide the same transport and economic development and social benefits,” he said.

The proof of concept includes a transport engineering analysis from global consultancy company Arup, which looked at a variety of route options.

The South West Group said that, in addition to improving access to the places along the route, the link would drastically improve accessibility to the hospitals and universities at both ends of the route. 

The group pointed to several new developments that would also benefit from the link, including Bull Creek District shopping centre, Murdoch University, Heart of Beaconsfield, and the Knutsford project.

“The corridor could comfortably accommodate 6,500 dwellings in the short term, and another 5,500 dwellings in later stages. When long-term opportunities like future development of Victoria Quay in Fremantle are also added, that figure could be far greater,” Mr Griffiths said. 

“While we’ve undertaken detailed technical analysis for this specific corridor and developed the promotional material for it, we’d also like Metronet to include other important links such as the Rockingham foreshore to train station link, and a link from Cockburn Central to Fremantle via Cockburn coast.”

The group pointed to the federal government’s recent support of an equivalent proposal from the City of Stirling, and is calling on the government to consider providing comparable support for its proposal and undertake a full business case to be included in future stages of Metronet.

“The key is to unlock the underutilised land between Fremantle and Murdoch, creating opportunities for people to live closer to where they work, study and play,” Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said.

“But investment in public transport infrastructure is needed to accelerate that positive change.”