It’s a rail-centric WA budget, some big projects funded, with money for bus
August 13, 2013
This month’s Western Australian budget has taken a punt on continued population growth in the west, funding some big public transport-oriented projects.
Edgewater Train Station will get a new 1,000-bay multi-storey car park under the $5.7billion investment in public transport to cope with Perth’s rapid population growth.
The new multi-storey car park will provide an extra 564 low-fee Park and Ride bays for commuters using the northern rail line, taking the total number of parking bays available at Edgewater station to about 1,400.
Transport Minister Troy Buswell says the car park would cater for the increasing number of people using public transport in the northern corridor.
“Last year alone, there were an extra 750,000 boardings on the northern line, adding to what was our busiest year on the public transport network, reflecting the dramatic increase in the population of Perth,” Buswell says.
“Edgewater Train Station is at the heart of one of Perth’s fastest growing areas. The City of Joondalup is now home to more than 164,000 people, and more than 900 First Home Owner grants were given out in the city in the last financial year.
“As it grows, more and more people are turning to public transport.
“It’s a similar story across Perth. We are the fastest-growing capital city in Australia, with growth of 3.3 per cent. Last year alone, 75,000 people moved to our city – and our people transport network catered for an extra five million boardings.”
Buswell says population growth added 96,500 vehicles to Western Australian roads, taking the total to 2.2 million.
“More people are using our services than ever before – so we are investing in public transport infrastructure for the long term to combat congestion,” he says.
“The State Government has committed $5.7billion over the next four years to major transport projects including the Airport Rail line, MAX Light Rail, a 37km section of the Perth to Darwin Highway and the Edgewater Train Station car park.
“In addition, the Government has continued its record investment in the State’s road network, with $1.1billion for Main Roads this year alone – that includes $500million for the northern suburbs.”
Key transport infrastructure investments:
· $219m for the Perth City Link – sinking of the Wellington Street Bus Station
· $174m over four years to commence the $2b Airport Rail line, which will have three new stations, an additional 3,000 parking bays and 18 new railcars. Construction will start in 2016 with a scheduled finish in 2019
· $432m over four years towards building the 22km MAX Light Rail, connecting the growing northern suburbs and the Perth CBD, east to Victoria Park and west to Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre in Nedlands. Construction will start in 2016 and is scheduled to finish in 2019
· $57m for Aubin Grove Train Station
· The delivery of an additional 66 railcars, the first of which will arrive later in 2013, and the investment of $237m upgrading our bus fleet
· $152m to start the extension of Mitchell Freeway from Burns Beach Road to Hester Ave
· WA Government will continue its record investment in the State’s road network with $1.1b to Main Roads in this year alone to tackle the pressure on our road network
· Works on $1b Gateway Project will continue with $836m committed over four years to deliver a safer, more efficient road network to the Perth Airport precinct, surrounding businesses and residential areas
· $325m over four years – with a WA Government funding contribution of $100m – to construct a 37km section of the Perth to Darwin Highway