Minister unveils new Kelmscott train station plans

3/05/06

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today unveiled plans for the new Kelmscott train station, giving the first glimpse of a transformed Kelmscott civic area.

Ms MacTiernan said work on the $8.3million station was expected to start in the first half of next year (2007).

Since the very first Kelmscott station was built, it has been an important part of the town centre.

The Minister said the new station, which was part of the Public Transport Authority's Building Better Trains Stations program, would be the first stage in the transformation of Kelmscott into an attractive retail and commercial centre with a renewed civic heart.

"The current Kelmscott train station was a pioneering structure when it was built in 1984, because it integrated train and bus transport," she said.

"The design won a Royal Institute of Architects Bronze Award so it is important to preserve this structure as part of the redevelopment.

"However, as the Transperth network has grown, so has the demand to service the needs of train patrons.

"The redevelopment will include a new outer structure to provide protection for passengers against the extremes of wind and rain and to create a new dramatic focus for the centre of Kelmscott."

The station will be fully upgraded with new paving finishes, new platform furniture, new public toilets, new lighting and new signage.

"A new Transit Guard booth will be located near the station entry to give guards a clear view of the station and to capitalise on current security initiatives already being undertaken by the PTA," Ms MacTiernan said.

"The bus interchange at the station will be redeveloped with additional bus bays and improved bus access.

"Pedestrian links will be improved and new principal shared paths will ensure cyclists are able to take a direct route to catch the train."

There will be new drop-off shelters and car bays with an undercover link to the main station shelter.

The Minister said the design would also incorporate new public art.

The plans will be presented to the Armadale Redevelopment Authority for development approval and the project will be staged to ensure the station remains open to the public during construction.

The plans will be made available at the Kelmscott Library, the Armadale redevelopment Authority and on the PTA website.