New Perth stadium transport plan unveiled

• $298m station and supporting infrastructure to move fans
• ‘Tentacles of movement’ approach used to disperse crowds after events

The final piece of the new Perth stadium jigsaw fell into place today when the State Government unveiled details of the Transport Project Definition Plan (PDP).

Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett and Transport Minister Troy Buswell announced a $298million bus-train-road-pedestrian plan from which an estimated 50,000 people would be transported from the stadium precinct by public transport networks within an hour of the completion of an event.

An additional $41.2million has been allowed for escalation through to the project’s expected completion in late 2017.

This is in line with modelling that estimated 83 per cent of visitors to the 60,000-seat new Perth stadium would rely on public transport to get to and from events.

The original estimate was based on 70 per cent of stadium visitors using public transport. Despite this, the project falls within the estimated cost released in August at $298million, with the additional passenger numbers incorporated at the same capital cost.

The key elements of the transport plan include a six-platform train station; a staging area able to accommodate 20 buses at a time; and a new pedestrian bridge across the Swan River.

“This is a world-class transport proposal to complement our world-class stadium,” Mr Barnett said.

“The new Perth stadium and the accompanying transport system is a landmark development for the city and one our State has been desperately needing.”

Mr Buswell said the Transport PDP built on the new Perth stadium’s ‘fan first’ philosophy to reflect passenger behaviour and demands through a ‘passenger first’ transport solution.

“To encourage a cultural shift from reliance on cars to public transport, the Government knows it needs to help people leave an event quickly and safely,” he said.

“A ‘tentacles of movement’ model ensures spectators are widely dispersed on exiting the stadium - instead of surging together in one direction - which results in efficient transfers and reduces the impacts on nearby residents.”

As a result of comprehensive planning and passenger modelling by the Public Transport Authority, 35,500 people are expected to depart by train, with 28,000 to use a new, six-platform stadium station and 7,500 to walk across Windan Bridge to an upgraded East Perth Station.

A further 14,300 are expected to travel by bus - 8,100 from a new stadium bus facility and 6,200 from a new shuttle service between the CBD and Nelson Avenue, next to Gloucester Park. This will be accessible from a new pedestrian bridge linking the stadium precinct to East Perth.

“The pedestrian bridge will carry 14,300 people who will access bus services and car parks in East Perth, while the Windan Bridge will allow a further 1,100 to access car parks further north in East Perth,” Mr Buswell said.

“Following discussion with local residents, the Government has accepted their point of view and moved the western end of the pedestrian bridge further south, closer to Gloucester Park.”


Fact File

• Transport infrastructure to be completed by late 2017
• Liberal-National Govt has allocated $243m to buy 66 new rail carriages for Perth rail network to accommodate more than 12,000 extra passengers per service trip