Construction contracts awarded for final three train stations
22/06/05
The Gallop Government has awarded the final major package of construction contracts for three train stations to be built along the Southern Suburbs Railway.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the $38million Package C would see stations built at Rockingham, Warnbro (Waikiki) and Mandurah.
"The new stations will provide southern suburbs residents with a fast, direct public transport link to the city and beyond," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The signing of these contracts is a big day for these communities - in the near future, the railway will provide residents will access to new employment, educational and recreational opportunities."
The Minister said the contracts had been signed within the New MetroRail Project's revised budget and would see the stations completed by 2006.
The three stations are expected to cater for almost 8,000 passenger boardings a day, with peak period services running every 10 minutes.
Travel time to Perth will be a little over a half-hour from Warnbro and Rockingham and just over three-quarters of an hour from Mandurah.
Works for the stations at Rockingham and Warnbro (Waikiki) will be undertaken by the all-Western Australian consortium of Doric Constructions - Brierty Contractors.
The third station - Mandurah - will be built by Mandurah builder JM and ED Moore.
"In March, the Doric-Brierty Joint Venture also won the Package B contract for three stations immediately north, so this is a further significant achievement for these WA-owned companies," Ms MacTiernan said.
Mandurah MLA David Templeman said he was pleased that Mandurah builder JM and ED Moore would build the Mandurah station.
"This local company has previously undertaken public works such as the Mandurah Bus Station and depot, and built the recent award-winning Education Centre in Margaret River," Mr Templeman said.
"This means the money stays in the area and more jobs for our community."
Work on the new stations will start from August and construction is scheduled to be largely completed within 12 months.
Mandurah Train Station is to be one of the last finished on the Southern Suburbs Railway.
Construction of the nine train stations south of the Swan River will be staged to meet most efficiently the connecting works with Package A - the major contract for the construction of the SSR track itself and the overhead-power system between Perth and Mandurah.
The Rockingham and Mandurah stations will be full transit interchanges; with car drop off/pick up facilities, feeder bus services, pedestrian and bicycle access and parking for about 1,500 cars. Warnbro will provide 700 car parking bays, as well as drop off/pick up facilities and access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan welcomed today's signing.
"This is a terrific development for Rockingham," Mr McGowan said. "The people of Rockingham have waited a long time for this railway.
"I am very pleased this railway will soon be operating and that the Rockingham community will soon be enjoying the same access to public transport as other communities in the metropolitan area."
Peel MLA Norm Marlborough agreed.
"The people of Peel and the greater southern corridor cannot wait for the railway to be delivered," Mr Marlborough said.
"This critical piece of infrastructure will ensure the continued success of this rapidly-growing area."
The catchment for the Rockingham and Warnbro stations will include Rockingham, Cooloongup, Peron, Shoalwater, Safety Bay, Warnbro, Baldivis, Port Kennedy, Secret Harbour, Karnup, Golden Bay, Singleton, Madora, Lakelands, San Remo and Meadow Springs.
The Mandurah catchment includes Mandurah, Halls Head, Greenfields, Barragup, Coodanup, Dudley Park, Erskine, Furnissdale, Yunderup, Falcon and Dawesville.
"Not long ago, the 'let-them-ride-buses' brigade claimed that there were nothing but cow paddocks south of Thomsons Lake," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The reality is that the Southern Suburbs Railway will service one of the fastest-growing regions in Australia."