The state government has today moved forward with its $240 million plan to extend the Joondlaup railway line to the suburb of Butler with the introduction of a bill into parliament today.
The state government has today moved forward with its $240 million plan to extend the Joondlaup railway line to the suburb of Butler with the introduction of a bill into parliament today.
The funding will also go towards a new train and bus station and Park 'n' Ride facility to be built in Butler.
To facilitate this development the State Government will today introduce the 'Railway (Butler to Brighton) Bill 2009' into State Parliament.
Transport Minister Simon O'Brien said that preliminary earthworks are already under way, with physical construction of the rail line scheduled to start in 2011. Passenger train services expected to commence by the end of 2014.
"Extending the Joondalup Line to Butler is an important and logical step in expanding our integrated public transport system," Mr O'Brien said.
"It ultimately enhances the communities it serves and contributes to the sustainability of the wider metropolitan area.
"Currently, passenger services only go as far as Clarkson; this situation is no longer adequate for servicing a growing city.
"The population of the north-west corridor from Clarkson to Two Rocks is expected to more than quadruple from 41,000 in 2006 to 188,000 by 2031.
"It is therefore important that we do get this important project under way now."
The Minister said that the rail extension north of Clarkson will not only accommodate further population growth over and above what is projected, but that it will also ease pressure on the freeway and other major roads closer to Perth.
"It is important that the State Government is showing leadership and acting now to invest in strategic infrastructure projects that both enhance and sustain our city," he said.
Park 'n' Ride facilities would also be built at the new station.
"What we know, is that unless there is adequate parking available at train stations in the outlying suburbs, people will simply attempt to drive all the way into the city, only exacerbating traffic problems," Mr O'Brien said.
"That is why the State Government is also providing $49.5million to construct 3,000 parking bays at other train stations on the Joondalup and Mandurah lines."
The concept of expanding Perth's northern rail line has been talked about for many years, with the 'Northern Suburbs Transit System - Currambine to Butler Extension: Interim Master Plan', being published by the previous Liberal Court government in June 2000.
