2015 by numbers
- 3 proposals submitted by the shortlisted respondents
- 4 community information sessions held
- 150 bore holes and 35 monitoring wells installed
- 24m - the depth to which samples were taken through geotechnical studies at Perth Airport
- 6,000 - the average number of monthly website hits
Aboriginal engagement
During 2015, Aboriginal artwork was commissioned to describe the project through the eyes of Indigenous Western Australians. The artwork was developed by a local Noongar Whadjuk artist, Ingrid Cummings, and explains the project’s ‘Travels through rainbow serpent tracks’ or as the Noongar Aboriginal translation states: ‘Gnullar Roorling Wargyl Roorl’.
An Aboriginal Business Briefing was held in October 2015 to provide more information to Aboriginal businesses about how they can become involved in the project. Later in 2016, the Contractor – once appointed – will hold another Aboriginal Business Briefing to provide more in-depth information about the specific opportunities available to businesses.
During 2015 the project also developed a project-specific Reconciliation Action Plan – a first for an infrastructure project in Western Australia. The project is also registered for Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia’s (ISCA) rating.
Website and community zone launch
August 2015 saw the launch of the refreshed Forrestfield-Airport Link website and the creation of the community zones. Members of the community can now check the rail map on the website to find out what’s happening in their zone and can register to receive community zone specific updates. This year, the project team will be working even more closely with the community, after the Contractor is appointed and more detailed information is known.
Geotechnical studies
The project team has completed a series of geotechnical studies across the whole of the new rail route. There have been 150 boreholes drilled, 35 monitoring wells and 5 pumping test wells installed during 2015. The information gained has been invaluable to help inform the design of the rail route and the information will assist the Contractor when they are appointed later in 2016.
Forward works start
Forward works to clear an area of vegetation – and re-home native flora and fauna in the process – took place in Forrestfield Station Community Zone in late 2015. Early in 2016, work will begin to relocate three major services (gas and fibre optic) at the same site and more detailed information will be provided closer to the start of the works. If you would like to keep updated on community zone specific information, please register for project updates.
Approvals
The project was subject to a number of approvals throughout 2015:
- Rail Enabling Act – passed in State Parliament in October 2015
- State Environmental Approval – received in November 2015
- Commonwealth Major Development Plan (MDP) approval – received in December 2015
The year ahead
2016 will be another crucial year for the Forrestfield-Airport Link project. The preferred Contractor for the main construction of the project is expected to be identified early this year and the subsequent contract will be awarded soon after.
Ongoing forward works – particularly in the Airport West Community Zone – will start to reconfigure local roads and complete drainage works, as well as intersection upgrades at Great Eastern Highway. Once on-board, the Contractor will take possession of the sites in the Forrestfield Station, Airport West and Bayswater community zones, and construction of Forrestfield-Airport Link will begin.