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2 September 2003
The State Government has called for expressions of interest to build nine stations, worth in total almost $80m, on the fast, direct Perth to Mandurah Railway.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today that suitable construction companies would be short-listed for a tender process.
Work on the stations is due to progressively start from May 2005.
"The EOI process starts the ball rolling for the construction of some of the most innovative, state-of-the-art train stations in Australia," Ms MacTiernan said.
"All stations are being designed with input from the local community and other stakeholders, taking into account the needs and requirements of minority groups.
"The stations will feature bus-rail interchange and will have quality access for people with disabilities.
"All stations, except for Canning Bridge, will have 'Park n Ride' facilities."
The stations had been grouped in three packages. They were:
• Package B: Thomsons Lake, Thomas Road and Leda;
• Package C: Rockingham, Waikiki and Mandurah; and
• Package D: Canning Bridge, Leach Highway and South Street.
Ms MacTiernan was speaking at the site of the proposed Thomsons Lake Station, 21 kilometres south of Perth.
The Minister pointed out two of the 20 new MetroRail signs that were being erected at the sites of proposed Perth to Mandurah train stations as well as other stations.
Each seven-metre high sign has a similar message that outlines when the relevant station will be ready.
"Thomsons Lake will provide some of the biggest advantages for train commuters by slashing the travel time to Perth to 16 minutes in peak time compared to 34 minutes by car," Ms MacTiernan said.
"Once the railway starts in December 2006, it will quickly become one of the busiest stations on the urban rail system with a forecast of about 5,460 weekday boardings compared to our current busiest station, Warwick that averages 5,000 weekday boardings.
"It will also have an integrated bus transfer station that serves the proposed new Cockburn Central Regional Centre as well as being the focus for bus services in the region.
"The station has been designed to integrate with planning for Cockburn Central and, as a result, will become a destination for employment and recreation rather than an origin for trips elsewhere.
"This planning is important in the Government's strategic land use and transport planning initiatives."
Ms MacTiernan said the car passenger set down and short term parking area had been integrated into the town square of Cockburn Central.
This would maximise the limited land available for development, serving not only the rail station and buses but also the shops and commercial facilities fronting onto the town square.
"This project shows the value of strong co-operation between State Government, local government and relevant agencies in providing the basis for how a community can develop for sustainability and growth," the Minister said.
"Particularly, the City of Cockburn deserves praise for the way it has recognised the benefits of both the rail and the regional centre projects."
The current planning for the station also included 400 'Park n Ride' bays but it had been estimated that as many as 600 extra bays may be needed in the longer-term as a result of growth in the corridor.
The Expressions of Interest phase will close on October 30, 2003. Short-listed applicants will be advised in December.
Construction contracts will be awarded from 2004 with stations to be ready for the start of train service to Rockingham in 2006 and to Mandurah in 2007.
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